Cork City striker Connor Ellis has admitted he wasn’t worried about his recent drought in front of goal. The 20-year-old striker scored a brace as The Leesiders progressed to the quarter-finals of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup after demolishing Athlo
Cork City striker Connor Ellis has admitted he wasn’t worried about his recent drought in front of goal.
The 20-year-old striker scored a brace as The Leesiders progressed to the quarter-finals of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup after demolishing Athlone Town 7-0 at Turner's Cross on Friday night.
The youngster grabbed his first goals since notching the opener against St Patrick's Athletic in the EA SPORTS Cup quarter final back at the beginning of May.
But speaking to reporters shortly after full time, Ellis insisted he was more focussed on getting minutes and experience rather than fretting about the lack of goals.
“I never really worried about not scoring for a while,” enthused Ellis.
“It would be different if I was playing 90 minutes every week and constantly missing chances but I back myself. All through the underage system I have always scored goals. I always feel if I get a chance I will score.
“The two I had tonight (against Athlone) were simple enough chances but you still have to hit the net and be in the right place at the right time. I’m only just 20 and I’m in arguably the greatest League of Ireland team ever so you can’t run before you walk.
“I have made maybe 25 appearances this season and had five or six starts and if you offered me that at the start of the season and to have scored five goals I would have taken it with both hands. Slowly I’m getting better.”
The former Cork City under 19 stalwart has been given more chance to impress of late since the departure of the irrepressible Sean Maguire, who is currently plying his trade with English Championship side Preston North End.
And whilst the forward admitted it was great to learn from Maguire during his time at the club, he is excited about having more chances to impress John Caulfield.
“I have been unlucky this season really, I was behind arguably the greatest League of Ireland striker ever in Seanie,” added Ellis.
“Whilst it was great to learn off him, you’re frustrated you’re not playing. A few things haven’t gone my way but I have to keep working hard.
“I felt I put in a good shift tonight and I just need to keep pushing to be in the manager’s plans.
“But as important as your overall play is your main job as a striker is to score goals. I was a bit frustrated at the end, the keeper made a great save so the match ball would have been nice.
“I just want to start as many games as I can. If I can before we win the league that would be extra sweet but especially when the league is wrapped up I would expect to play five or six games.
“And I don’t see why not because when I play I feel I slot in and compared to last year, I’ve stepped up my game an awful lot.”
Asked, finally, when he believes Cork City will have the league title wrapped up?
“As soon as possible. We go into every game expecting to win so with that logic in two games time hopefully,” the confident attacker concluded.
