Commitment issue plagues Dunne
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Cork City boss Tommy Dunne has criticised some players for a lack of dedication after some of the clubs playing staff have withdrawn their services due to other commitments.
None of the players Dunne referred to were regular fixtures in the first team; however, in some positive news Kieran Keneally, a product of the club’s youth system, made his senior debut with a late cameo.
Speaking after last night’s 1-0 defeat to Munster rivals Waterford United, Dunne said: “We’re short a few bodies at the moment. A lot of the Munster Senior League lads that we brought in just haven’t worked out.
“I’m afraid to say, a lot of them find it difficult with the commitment that you have to give. It’s step up and you have to have that little bit more dedication for it. Some lads have to work and can’t afford it, that’s the way it is.
“We brought a number of youth lads into the squad tonight because it was a necessity. I’ve no problems bringing them in if they’re capable.
“I had one individual, though, who I was going to bring in. He might have played and started next week [against Monaghan in the FAI Cup] but decided to go on holiday.
“I don’t know what it is with them nowadays because when I was playing, you sacrificed everything. Now it’s different and I find it hard to accept sometimes, but it’s the norm now.”
On the game itself, Dunne said: “I don’t think we played as well as we could. We were off the game, in the first half especially. They didn’t have to be great to pick up the three points, truthfully.
“The goal was a lapse, it’s a problem we have to deal with. I was disappointed with the goal but I can’t fault the effort from the lads in the second half.
“We’ve gone from one extreme to the other. We’ve gone from playing good football to the ball going longer. Any spell of football we had in the game, it looked like we could create something.”
City welcome Monaghan United to Turner’s Cross next weekend for a last 16 FAI Cup clash and the Dubliner thinks the lack of a big squad could cause them problems.
“We’ve a couple of players cup-tied too. We’re short and small on squad numbers.”
None of the players Dunne referred to were regular fixtures in the first team; however, in some positive news Kieran Keneally, a product of the club’s youth system, made his senior debut with a late cameo.
Speaking after last night’s 1-0 defeat to Munster rivals Waterford United, Dunne said: “We’re short a few bodies at the moment. A lot of the Munster Senior League lads that we brought in just haven’t worked out.
“I’m afraid to say, a lot of them find it difficult with the commitment that you have to give. It’s step up and you have to have that little bit more dedication for it. Some lads have to work and can’t afford it, that’s the way it is.
“We brought a number of youth lads into the squad tonight because it was a necessity. I’ve no problems bringing them in if they’re capable.
“I had one individual, though, who I was going to bring in. He might have played and started next week [against Monaghan in the FAI Cup] but decided to go on holiday.
“I don’t know what it is with them nowadays because when I was playing, you sacrificed everything. Now it’s different and I find it hard to accept sometimes, but it’s the norm now.”
On the game itself, Dunne said: “I don’t think we played as well as we could. We were off the game, in the first half especially. They didn’t have to be great to pick up the three points, truthfully.
“The goal was a lapse, it’s a problem we have to deal with. I was disappointed with the goal but I can’t fault the effort from the lads in the second half.
“We’ve gone from one extreme to the other. We’ve gone from playing good football to the ball going longer. Any spell of football we had in the game, it looked like we could create something.”
City welcome Monaghan United to Turner’s Cross next weekend for a last 16 FAI Cup clash and the Dubliner thinks the lack of a big squad could cause them problems.
“We’ve a couple of players cup-tied too. We’re short and small on squad numbers.”
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile