Following Cork City’s recent loss to Derry City at Turner’s Cross, Tim Clancy and Cork City Football Club each mutually agreed to part ways. In a recent Off the Ball interview, Clancy described himself as “exhausted” in the job toward the end. City have been ravaged by injuries so far this season, with Seani Maguire, Ruairi Keating, Cathal O’Sullivan, Malik Dijksteel, Benny Couto and several others spending time on the sidelines so far this season. Many fans argued at the start of the season that the squad depth was lacking anyway, so these injuries have really hit the team hard. It seems fans are split down the middle as to whether Clancy’s departure is positive for the club or not. In this piece, I will explain why I believe he is a loss to Cork City and why he is one of, if not the most underrated manager in the whole of the LOI.
I remember when Clancy was appointed as Cork City manager in late 2023, being excited. This was particularly due to his immense spell at Drogheda United from 2018-2021. In his 3rd season at Drogheda, after making some important acquisitions, his side won the First Division title. A big moment for the Louth club after narrowly missing out on the two previous occasions, with very young squads. In his first season in the Premier Division with Drogheda, Clancy guided the Drogs to seventh place, securing topflight football for the Louth club for a further season. Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the league, Clancy led the club to impressive victories against St Patrick’s Athletic, Derry City and rivals Dundalk. When discussing the case of Clancy being “underrated” – I believe that this is a prime example. Clancy set the bedrock for the secure place in the Premier Division that Drogheda United enjoy today.
On December 2nd, 2021, Clancy got his big managerial break with Dublin giants; St Patrick’s Athletic. Clancy was replacing Stephen O’Donnell who had just won an FAI Cup with Pats. O’Donnell brought Robbie Benson, John Mountney and Sam Bone with him to Dundalk F.C, which were all key players for Pats in the 2021 season. Lee Desmond, Alfie Lewis, Vitseslav Jaros and Matty Smith also departed from the club. Clancy was essentially put with the task of replacing a full eleven almost. Strong players were brought in however – these included; Joe Redmond, Mark Doyle, David Odumosu, Eoin Doyle, Joseph Anang, Jack Scott, Tom Grivosti, Anthony Breslin, Tunde Owolabi and Adam O’Reilly. Clancy, despite all of the change, went on to have a successful season, finishing 4th in the table securing the club UEFA Conference League Football for 2023. Also having an impressive European run, narrowly losing in the second round by one goal to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia to a controversial penalty goal. Unfortunately, Clancy’s time was to come to an end in his second season at Pats, after placing a disappointing 7th in the table after 13 games. On 2 May 2023, Clancy and Pats mutually agreed to part ways, in a similar fashion to his eventual exit from Cork City almost two years later.
Ultimately, how many LOI managers can say they have brought up and sustained a club, went on an impressive European run and managed two of the biggest clubs in the country? To me, this is the essence of the greatness of Tim Clancy, who many seem to look down upon. He is not perfect and could do with adding some trophies to his managerial CV, but I truly believe he would be an asset to any club and has a knack for grassroots development of clubs and development of young players. The next step in Tim Clancy’s career will be very interesting, I think any LOI club would be lucky to have him.