It was just over a minute and a half into his post-match press conference when Graham Cummins gave an interesting insight into what it is like being Cork City’s main striker. The target man had just collected the man of the match award after his ex
It was just over a minute and a half into his post-match press conference when Graham Cummins gave an interesting insight into what it is like being Cork City’s main striker.
The target man had just collected the man of the match award after his excellent header helped the champions narrowly defeat St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 at Turner’s Cross.
The second question that the striker faced from reporters was about the finish which won his side the game, the third question was about ending his recent goal drought.
“It was two games, two games,” he answered.
The question was asked and answered in the jovial manner for which it was intended but as the Cork native elaborated he admitted it was a relief to find the back of the net for the first time since the 19th of March.
“No, it is always a relief again because the Boh’s goal really was just fortuitous but I think you can see what it meant in the celebration at the end,” he added.
“If you said to me I would have six goals in nine games I would have taken that at the start of the season but when you go on a little spell where you don’t score and things aren’t going your way it's difficult.
“I’m happy with six goals but you always want more. I felt I could have scored more and some performances haven’t been good enough.
“I am a confidence player like and it made a difference to me when I scored tonight, I got that extra bit of energy.
“But when you haven’t scored in a while you panic a bit. When it hit the post you’re like ‘oh no here we go again’.
“It was just one of them really. Badge (Conor McCormack) has just got it and I’ve peeled off.
“I’ve actually said it to him a few times in training to have a look at that and when it comes in you kind of know as a striker if you’re going to win it or not.
“Then it was a case of whether I could get enough height on it to get it back across goal.
“I was disappointed in the first half when its hit the post but again its one of them credit to badge because the ball in is excellent.
“It’s in a crowded area, he’s picked me out of the crowd and I’m relying on him. His ball makes the goal really.”
As the thirty year old alluded to, that winner was his sixth league goal of the season but it was also his eighth strike in 10 appearances in all competitions since returning the Leeside during the winter break.
“Overall I would say decent,” Cummins declared when asked if he was pleased with the start he has made to his second spell at the club.
“That’s the way I would put it, not brilliant but not poor. I know there’s a lot more in me. It’s about getting into my stride and probably getting my fitness up there as well.
“But I know there’s more improvement in me and I need to make a bigger impact in some games.”
The victory was enough to see City climb above Munster rivals Waterford and into second place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, just two points behind leaders Dundalk.
It was also Cork City’s sixth home win in their sixth home game in all competitions this campaign in which they have scored 15 goals and conceded zero in the process.
And while Cummins can lay claim to four of those goals scored, he insisted he can’t take credit for the performance of the defence where both youngsters Sean McLoughlin and Conor McCarthy have been particularly impressive.
“I think when you mark lads you can give them advice or encourage them but I don’t think it’s for me to say this is where you need to be,” added the former St Johnstone attacker.
“I think they have been outstanding. I think since Sean has come in, to be honest, I didn’t know much about Sean before I come this year but, I think he has probably been the best defender in the league.
“He’s got everything, all the attributes at the moment and he’s probably been one of the standout players of the league already this season.
“I don’t think anyone has expected what he done so far and Conor come in alongside him and their 21 and 20. A lot of lads think you can bully the two of them but they’re some size, their men basically.
“They really have bright futures ahead of them. There’s a lot of trust shown in the lads at that age, the two of them combined age is 41 and Nults (Mark McNulty) is 37 so that’s crazy when you look at it that way.
“I wouldn’t take any credit what so ever with them, they have just been outstanding.”
