If further evidence was needed to show the gruelling shift that Graham Cummins puts in playing as Cork City’s lone striker then his post-match press conference against Waterford provided it. “Can we keep this short lads?” joked Cummins, holding a cl
If further evidence was needed to show the gruelling shift that Graham Cummins puts in playing as Cork City’s lone striker then his post-match press conference against Waterford provided it.
“Can we keep this short lads?” joked Cummins, holding a cloth to the top of his head having suffered a knock during his side’s 3-0 win against their Munster Rivals.
The result now leaves the Champions sitting 11 points clear of third place but more importantly, they remain just two points behind League Leaders Dundalk have played a game fewer.
Cummins used his head to power home his sides second against Waterford for his tenth league goal of a productive season so far.
“I always say you’ve got to earn the right to play, you can’t go into games and just think that if I prance around the pitch I’ll get my chance,” said the 30-year-old.
“I’ve never been that type of player anyway. I think even if you’re not playing well as long as you’re working hard it will fall to you eventually, someday. You work hard and you get your rewards.
“I’m not far off it. I’ve set myself a (goals) target and things like so I’m happy. I’ve got 10 goals in 19, I’ve played the 19 I haven’t played 20, so it’s almost one in two at the moment and that’s a good record I think.”
Cummins now resides joint second with Graham Burke, Aaron McEneff and teammate Kieran Sadlier in the race for the golden boot, trailing Dundalk striker Patrick Hoban by four strikes.
But the City number nine insists while it would be nice to finish the campaign as the league’s top goal scorer, winning trophies is more important.
“Obviously Hoban is doing outstanding for Dundalk. But I don’t care, I just want the team to win,” he added.
“That’s my aim, to win a league because nobody remembers who the top goal-scorer was or anything like that.
“Everyone will just remember the amount of medals you have in the back of your pocket at the end of your career not 'oh you got this much goals' or anything. It doesn’t really matter. It’s nice but it’s not the be all and end all.”
Cummins’ latest finish came with former Cork City favourite Sean Maguire watching on and the forward admitted he didn’t feel any added pressure playing in front of last season’s top scorer.
“Definitely yeah, I was thinking I need to score for him tonight,” laughed Cummins.
“I have always said he was the best striker I have seen play here and I’ve been supporting Cork since I was very young.
“I couldn’t replace him because there is a reason he’s at Preston and I’m at Cork and he’s playing with Ireland, there’s a big difference between the two of us.”
