CORK CITY FALL OFF THE TOP BUT HAVE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM

D. Ray Morton, 2nd May 2014.

Dundalk's Oriel Park was the scene for Cork City's heavy 4-0 defeat tonight

Cork City's undefeated streak came to end tonight thanks to heavy 4-0 away defeat to Dundalk. City fall into third, level on points with St. Patrick's Athletic as Dundalk go top . City and Pats have a game in hand each, however. A tough result to swallow for a side that, against expectations, have had a great start to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. As the season kicks into the business side of things with most teams having played ten or eleven games, what next for the Leesiders?

City fall off the top but can go joint 1st with St. Pats if they get back to winning ways

City's start to the season has been one of relative over-achievement. With a small squad, they have had to use a rigid 4-5-1 formation and play direct football which has been especially effective at Turner's Cross where the small playing surface can frustrate opponents more used to playing an expansive game. Defending champions St Pats learned this early on the opening day of the season when their short passing game was stifled by City's aggression and fast breaks.

They have something of a striker crisis in that they have had to field third choice striker Mark O'Sullivan in most of their games. New signing Anthony Elding failed to impress on his debut and found his playing time limited due to his injury problems and lack of form. The Englishman had been expected to lead the line for City this season but has failed to impress thus far. O'Sullivan offers a better aerial option but perhaps isn't of the requisite quality for City to launch a serious title push.

Indeed, the side are now starting to suffer through injuries and suspensions and will need to turn this slump around quickly in order to revitalise their title challenge. They were very unfortunate last week to have a late winner ruled out against Bohemians and such points lost could be crucial at the end of the season. Billy Dennehy has had a flying start, usually playing as a right midfielder and sometimes switching wings with Liam Kearney, scoring seven goals so far. City are heavily reliant on the explosive Kerryman, however, and must ensure that he maintains his fitness and form for the rest of the campaign.

Winger Billy Dennehy has been City's stand-out star thanks to his seven league goals so far

There are positives City fans can draw out of this robust beginning of the season. With a thin budget, new manager and City hero, John Caulfield has managed to get the best out of his small squad on very limited resources. The club's legendary former striker is animated and passionate on the sidelines and will surely be furious with tonight's result. At this level, keeping motivation levels high is essential as the League of Ireland can be a rather brutal mistress when a campaign starts to lose its meaning. Dennehy's form is another positive and at 27, City can hope that he won't be lured across the Irish Sea as many younger prospects have done.

Going forward, there's a lot of optimism around Cork City. Wherever they finish, they can build on this promising start to the Caulfield era. They have one of the nicest, all-seater grounds in the League of Ireland and have a strong support base. Being a one-team city is an advantage over their Dublin rivals in the long run. Perhaps they should consider expanding the club at youth or reserve level. Of the teams in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, City are in as good a shape as any other team to set up a "B" team like the one Shamrock Rovers will enter into the second tier next season.

As manager, "Johnny C" brings determination and a sound working knowledge of the club

A "B" Team would offer many advantages. It would allow inexperienced players to be blooded in with less pressure, would provide back-up for their stretched first team squad and players would likely play for either very little or for free. An amateur base feeding into a professional club on a limited budget could end up being a workable structure. Therefore, though City's strong start to the season has hit a snag with tonight's heavy defeat, the overall future of the club looks good compared to the financial mess they found themselves in some years back.