Clancy and City still striving for improvement

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Not that Cork City needed their enforced Turner's Cross sabbatical to prove that. 

While still unbeaten away from home, their 100 percent record at the Cross shows just how much of a boost it can provide to Tim Clancy's Cork City charges. 

They haven't stepped foot on their home sod since their three-nil win over Cobh Ramblers on the 5th of this month. They won't be back there until the 6th of next month, but at least they have a confirmed return date. 

"Yeah, we've Harps away, Kerry away, then we're at home against Wexford. Listen, we can't wait to get back in," Clancy said. "This season, it's been brilliant, five games there, we've had five wins, and no goals against. 

"You can see the effect it has playing in front of our fans. The lads love it, they're absolutely itching to get back into Turner's Cross. I think a lot of work has gone in as well, so the pitch should be in good nick. We can't wait."

Before their extended Turner's Cross absence is brought to an end on Monday week, the small task of making the trip north to Donegal provides the Friday night challenge for Clancy and Co. 

While their lead at the First Division summit has swelled to seven - having beaten Longford Town 4-1 on Saturday last - ahead of a 6pm tussle with third-placed Finn Harps, the City boss is still searching for further improvement. 

His outfit are the only unbeaten team - across both divisions - heading into matchday 12 - a tag Clancy doesn't want to lose anytime soon. 

"That's something we've spoken about, being the last team in the two divisions (to remain unbeaten). It's something that we want to try and extend. It's a mini goal we're setting the lads, 'can we go another game unbeaten?'

"The clean