Tim Clancy: Cork City have been 'harshly treated'

Tim Clancy is frustrated by the treatment meted out to Jack Doherty as an Achilles injury left the First Division top-scorer doubtful to play Wexford on Monday.

The Cork City attacker limped off after 80 minutes of their 1-0 win over Athlone Town with a stud-mark cut down the back of his leg.

His manager believes City have been “harshly treated” as Barry Coffey was punished with a red card and a three-game ban for a similar challenge, while the tackle on Doherty received a yellow card.

“It's very similar to Barry Coffey's red card against UCD. Jack's played it wide, he's run in behind, and the fella off the ball has stood on his Achilles,” said Clancy.

“It's a stud mark right down the back, he's got a cut on the back of his Achilles.

“It's just interesting that we missed a player for three games and the same foul is a yellow card for another team. It's frustrating.

“We've had a tackle on Jack in the first game of the season against Kerry where the fella has just leathered him off the ball as hard as he could and it was a yellow card as well.

“We've probably been a bit harshly treated in regards to Barry missing the three games but hopefully Jack will be okay for Monday.” 

An in-house game will bring Darragh Crowley closer to a long-awaited return from his cruciate injury but Seán Murray will miss the Ferrycarrig Park trip.

Clancy feels City’s depth is growing to a point where they can have the same intimidating effect on First Division teams that Shamrock Rovers have enjoyed in the top tier.

“Look at the best team in this country for the last five years, Shamrock Rovers. You see from managing against them you get up to the 60-minute mark and the game is level and when you turn around they're bringing three or four