Clancy stresses importance of City's defensive core

Cork City's statistics this season read as such. Games played: six; Wins: four; Draws: two; Defeats: zero; Goals scored: eight; Goals conceded: 1; Clean sheets: five. 

The above stats have guided City into an early three-point lead at the First Division summit heading into Friday night's assignment against Athlone Town at Turner's Cross.

The standout stat is those five clean sheets that have been kept by an almost ever-present rearguard - including goalkeeper Brad Wade. 

It's an aspect of their play boss Tim Clancy is eager to keep throughout the season. 

"It's been really pleasing for the lads to keep the clean sheets," Clancy told the Irish Examiner. "I think, after last season, and the manner in which the season went, there might have been a bit of nervousness around the team. 

"To show how solid they've been and consistently good in their defending, that's probably eased a lot of nerves at home games."

The impact of those regular defensive members all being from Cork hasn't been lost on Clancy. 

Of the contingent - not limited to the defensive ranks - that were present for the relegation from the top-flight in 2023, the hurt was clear and the motivation to get back to competing at the highest level made them certainties for City involvement this term.

"The fact that Harry [Nevin], Cian [Coleman], Charlie [Lyons] and John [O'Donovan] are all Cork lads as well, it does help because they know exactly what it means to play for the club.

 "When I got the job in the off-season, I spoke to people that were in the dressing room last year," Clancy said. "They were the ones that we re-signed because they wanted to be here and they were hurting the most when the club got relegated. 

"They were the ones that wanted to get the