Cork's Liam Buckley confident on manager hunt despite Kevin Doherty rejection

Cork City interim boss Liam Buckley has said that it's still possible that a new manager could be appointed before the end of the season despite being rejected by Drogheda’s Kevin Doherty in recent days.

Doherty, whose United side sit six points ahead of Cork in eighth in the race to avoid a relegation play-off spot, spoke to Cork officials at the weekend but ultimately decided to remain with the Louth outfit.

Buckley was appointed sporting director back in May and then interim boss soon after with former manager Colin Healy stepping aside within 24 hours of his arrival.

The club announced at the time that Buckley, assistant boss Richie Holland and academy coach Liam Kearney would remain in charge for the rest of the season but despite not being in conversation with specific candidates following Doherty’s rejection, Buckley said an appointment earlier than that is not out of the question.

"That would be helpful," he replied when asked would it be preferable to have someone in before the season’s conclusion.

"A new coach coming in having a look, you’d have to gauge on the current staff and myself where all the players stand or whatever. It would be ideal but if it’s not the case, it’s not to be."

"We’re not ruling anything in or anything out," he added. "My ambition here is to get this group over the line here and over the line is safe."

Cork’s fight against relegation continues this Sunday when they face Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght and having been critical of his side after their 2-0 loss to Shelbourne last time out, Buckley said that he expects a reaction this weekend and in the 10 remaining league games to follow.

That Turners Cross defeat last time out extended their winless league run to six games with four of those ending