Tim Clancy

{{short description|Irish football manager|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Tim Clancy

| image = File:Tim Clancy in 2022.jpg

| caption = Clancy managing St Patrick's Athletic in 2022.

| fullname = Timothy Clancy

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|6|8|df=y}}

| birth_place = Trim, County Meath, Ireland

| height =

| position = Defender

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Trim Celtic

| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Belvedere

| years1 = 2003–2004 | clubs1 = Millwall | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2003–2004 | clubs2 = → Weymouth (loan) | caps2 = 11 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2004–2007 | clubs3 = AFC Hornchurch | caps3 = | goals3 =

| years4 = 2005–2006 | clubs4 = → Fisher Athletic (loan) | caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = 2007–2011 | clubs5 = Kilmarnock | caps5 = 66 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2011–2012 | clubs6 = Motherwell | caps6 = 26 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2012–2014 | clubs7 = Hibernian | caps7 = 19 | goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2014 | clubs8 = St Johnstone | caps8 = 4 | goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2015 | clubs9 = Shamrock Rovers | caps9 = 3 | goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2015 | clubs10 = → Sligo Rovers (loan) | caps10 = 8 | goals10 = 1

| years11 = 2016 | clubs11 = Sligo Rovers | caps11 = 7 | goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2016–2017 | clubs12 = Bray Wanderers | caps12 = 36 | goals12 = 3

| nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19

| nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2017–2021 | managerclubs1 = Drogheda United

| manageryears2 = 2021–2023 | managerclubs2 = St Patrick's Athletic

| manageryears3 = 2023–2025 | managerclubs3 = Cork City

| club-update = 14:05, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

| ntupdate =

}}

Tim Clancy (born 8 June 1984) is an Irish former footballer and manager. During his playing career, Clancy played for Millwall, Weymouth, AFC Hornchurch, Fisher Athletic, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Hibernian, St Johnstone, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers. He managed Drogheda United, St Patrick's Athletic and Cork City.

Playing career

=Early career=

Clancy played for the Republic of Ireland under-19 team.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/6721101.stm|title=Greer exit as Killie deal-in four |publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2007|accessdate=21 June 2012}} He played for his home town club Trim Celtic and then Belvedere before signing for Millwall. He then had spells in English non-league football with Weymouth, AFC Hornchurch and Fisher Athletic.{{Cite web|url=https://m.aiscore.com/player-tim-clancy/wv78xi3j89u2krj|title=Tim Clancy stats and transfer history – AiScore Football LiveScore|website=m.aiscore.com}}

=Kilmarnock=

File:Tim Clancy.jpg ]]

Clancy joined Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock in early 2007 on amateur forms. He then agreed a one-year professional contract with Kilmarnock in June 2007. Clancy made his debut at left full back away to Gretna in September and made enough appearances during the 2007–08 season to trigger an automatic extension to his contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/kilmarnock/2008/04/23/i-want-to-be-kilmarnock-first-team-regular-says-tim-clancy-86908-20392161/|title=I want to be Kilmarnock first team regular, says Tim Clancy |date=23 April 2008|accessdate=21 June 2012|work=Daily Record}} His progress at Kilmarnock was hindered by a series of injuries, however, as he missed over four months after suffering an ankle ligament injury in April 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/kilmarnock/2008/09/04/fitness-boost-for-kilmarnock-as-tim-clancy-returns-to-action-86908-20723537/|title=Fitness boost for Kilmarnock as Tim Clancy returns to action |work=Daily Record|date=4 September 2008|accessdate=21 June 2012}}

Clancy also missed pre-season training in 2008–09 due to injury. He made a first team comeback in a goalless 0–0 draw at Aberdeen in February 2009. Clancy played regularly for Kilmarnock towards the end of the season and agreed a new two-year contract with the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/kilmarnock/2009/07/04/jim-jefferies-tim-clancy-can-grab-place-as-first-choice-right-back-86908-21493841/|title=Jim Jefferies: Tim Clancy can grab place as first choice right-back |first=Alan|last=Marshall|work=Daily Record|date=4 July 2009|accessdate=21 June 2012}} He did not play regularly during the 2010–11 season, as manager Mixu Paatelainen used Jamie Hamill as his regular right back.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/01/14/kilmarnock-full-back-tim-clancy-eager-to-take-his-chance-against-saints-86908-22849224/|title=Kilmarnock full back Tim Clancy eager to take his chance against Saints |date=14 January 2011|accessdate=21 June 2012|work=Daily Record}} Later in the season, he scored an own goal which gave Rangers a 2–1 victory.{{cite web|url=https://au.eurosport.com/football/spl/2009-2010/_sto2700149/story.shtml|title=Own goal hands Rangers win|publisher=Eurosport}} Clancy made 73 appearances for Killie in total. Manager Kenny Shiels allowed Clancy to leave the club in order to rebalance his defensive options, with Ryan O'Leary out injured.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/08/26/motherwell-snap-up-killie-defender-tim-clancy-on-one-year-deal-86908-23372787/|title=Motherwell snap up Killie defender Tim Clancy on one-year deal |first=Michael |last=Baillie|work=Daily Record|date=26 August 2011|accessdate=21 June 2012}}

=Motherwell=

Clancy moved to Motherwell in August 2011 and agreed a one-year deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14667835|title=Motherwell complete signing of Kilmarnock's Tim Clancy|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2012|accessdate=21 June 2012}} Motherwell signed Clancy to cover for the long-term injury suffered by Steven Saunders. He played regularly in central defence for Mothewell, alongside Shaun Hutchinson. He also played both full back positions during the season. At the end of the season, Clancy rejected a new contract from Motherwell.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/tim-clancy-linked-with-hibs-after-rejecting-motherwell-deal-1-2315337|title=Pat Fenlon keen to bring Tim Clancy to Easter Road |work=The Scotsman|publisher=Johnston Press|date=25 May 2012|accessdate=21 June 2012}}

=Hibernian=

Clancy signed a two-year contract with Hibernian in June 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18541991|title=Hibernian sign former Motherwell defender Tim Clancy|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2012|accessdate=21 June 2012}} Clancy scored the first goal in a 2–2 draw against Celtic on 1 September, when he took advantage of a defensive mix-up.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19378041|title=Celtic 2–2 Hibernian|first=Alasdair|last=Lamont|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 September 2012|accessdate=4 September 2012}} It was the first goal he had scored since playing in English non-league football, over six years previously.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/football/hibs/hibs-defender-tim-clancy-doesn-t-score-many-but-came-up-with-goods-in-swashbuckling-celtic-draw-1-2505172|title=Hibs defender Tim Clancy doesn't score many but came up with goods in swashbuckling Celtic draw|work=Edinburgh Evening News|publisher=Johnston Press|date=4 September 2012|accessdate=5 September 2012|first=David|last=Hardie }} Clancy played regularly for Hibs before suffering from a groin injury that required specialist advice.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20453303 |title=Hibernian's Tim Clancy forced to see specialist |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2012 |accessdate=22 November 2012}} He continued to suffer from injury problems and was released by Hibs in January 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25976729 |title=Transfer Deadline Day: Hibs land Watmore, Boateng & Haynes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2014 |accessdate=31 January 2014}}

=St Johnstone=

On 28 February 2014, Clancy signed for St Johnstone on a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season despite interests from Derry City.{{cite web|title=SAINTS ADD CLANCY TO DEFENSIVE OPTIONS|url=http://perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitemsdetail.php?param=2897|publisher=perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk|date=28 February 2014|accessdate=28 February 2014}}{{cite news|title=Collins closes in on Clancy|url=http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city-latest/collins-closes-in-on-clancy-1-5779504|work=Derry Journal|date=31 December 2013|accessdate=24 August 2014}} Clancy scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–3 draw against Celtic on 7 May 2014, which turns out to be his last appearance for the club.{{cite news|title=St Johnstone 3–3 Celtic|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27216459|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}} Clancy sustained a serious Achilles injury during training and needed an operation that ruled him out of the final of the Scottish Cup.{{cite news|title=Clancy ruled out of cup final|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/clancy-ruled-out-of-cup-final-1.371294|work=The Courier|date=15 May 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121625/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/clancy-ruled-out-of-cup-final-1.371294|archivedate=26 August 2014}} At the end of the 2013–14 season, Clancy was among four players to be released by St Johnstone.{{cite news|title=St Johnstone re-sign trio as four exit Scottish Cup winners|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27525203|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2014|accessdate=24 August 2014}}

=League of Ireland=

Clancy returned home to sign for Shamrock Rovers in February 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://punditarena.com/irish-football/thepateam/shamrock-rovers-sign-blanchard-clancy-mccaffrey/|title=Shamrock Rovers Sign Blanchard, Clancy & McCaffrey|first=The PA|last=Team|date=28 February 2015|website=Pundit Arena}} In July 2015 Clancy went on loan to Sligo Rovers until November 2015. In January 2016 he signed permanently for Sligo but left the club in June 2016. On 28 June 2016 he went on trial at Bray Wanderers during their 1-0 friendly win against Falkirk. On 30 June 2016 Clancy signed permanently for Bray making his competitive debut against Bohemians. He retired from playing at the end of the 2017 season.

Managerial career

=Drogheda United=

On 5 December 2017 Clancy was appointed as Manager of League of Ireland First Division side Drogheda United. This was his first role in management, and he was assisted in the role by newly appointed Director of Football Dave Robertson. During his first two seasons at the club, his young Drogheda side missed out on promotion twice. Ahead of the 2020 season, Clancy added more key members to his squad, and the club lifted the 2020 League of Ireland First Division Title, gaining promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division. This was his first honour at the club.

In his first season in the Premier Division with Drogheda, Clancy guided the Drogs to seventh place, securing top flight football for another season for the Louth club. Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the league, Clancy led the club to impressive victories against St Patrick's Athletic, Derry City and rivals Dundalk.

=St Patrick's Athletic=

On 2 December 2021, it was announced that St Patrick's Athletic had met the release clause in Clancy's Drogheda United contract and had joined the club on a 2-year contract effective immediately.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9042|title=Clancy Joins Saints Management Team|website=stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40758141.html|title=St Pat's confirm appointment of Tim Clancy – without clarifying position of Stephen O'Donnell|first=John|last=Fallon|date=2 December 2021|website=Irish Examiner}} With Kevin Doherty staying at Drogheda to become first team manager, former Dundee United striker Jon Daly was appointed as Clancy's assistant manager. Clancy had to deal with the losses of Robbie Benson, John Mountney and Sam Bone who followed former head coach Stephen O'Donnell to Dundalk, while also losing other key players such as Lee Desmond, Alfie Lewis, Matty Smith and Vítězslav Jaroš. In terms of incomings, Clancy signed Joe Redmond, Mark Doyle and David Odumosu who he had worked with previously at Drogheda United, along with former Hibernian teammate Eoin Doyle and Joseph Anang, Jack Scott, Tom Grivosti, Anthony Breslin, Tunde Owolabi and Adam O'Reilly.

Clancy's first league game as manager of the Saints was a comfortable 3–0 away win over Shelbourne in what was their manager Damien Duff's first game in senior management.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/i-dont-mind-playing-second-fiddle-to-damien-duff-pats-boss-tim-clancy-says-hed-no-issue-with-pre-match-hype-41366083.html|title='I don't mind playing second fiddle to Damien Duff' – Pat's boss Tim Clancy says he'd no issue with pre-match hype|website=Irish Independent|date=21 February 2022 }}

His first taste of managing in European football was in Pat's UEFA Europa Conference League campaign, which started out with a 1–1 draw at home to Slovenian side NŠ Mura.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/07/21/chris-forrester-inspires-revival-as-st-patricks-athletic-keep-the-tie-alive/|title=Chris Forrester inspires revival as St Patrick's Athletic keep the tie alive|newspaper=The Irish Times}} The second leg saw his side advance 6–5 on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/st-pats-mura-report-5828581-Jul2022/?amp=1|title=TheJournal.ie – St Pat's triumph on penalties to complete memorable night for Irish sides in Europe|website=the42.ie|date=28 July 2022 }} The next round saw Pat's beat Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia 1–0 away{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/08/04/atakayis-late-goal-gives-st-pats-famous-away-victory-in-sofia/|title=Atakayi's late goal gives St Pat's famous away victory in Sofia|newspaper=The Irish Times}} before suffering the heartache of a 2–0 loss in the second leg following a controversial late penalty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/missed-chances-cost-st-pats-as-cska-sofia-end-european-dream-41906436.html|title=Missed chances cost St Pat's as CSKA Sofia end European dream|website=Irish Independent|date=11 August 2022 }} Clancy's side finished in 4th place at the end of his first season in charge, securing UEFA Europa Conference League football for 2023.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9266|title=Saints In Europe 2023!|website=stpatsfc.com}}

Clancy was awarded his UEFA Pro Licence in December 2022, the highest coaching qualification in world football.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9272|title=Clancy Graduates UEFA Pro Licence|website=stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/uefa-pro-licence-graduates-breaks-100-mark|title=UEFA Pro Licence graduates breaks 100 mark | Football Association of Ireland|website=fai.ie}}

On 2 May 2023, Clancy departed St Patrick's Athletic by mutual consent with the club in 7th place, 13 games into the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9355|title=Club Statement: Clancy Departs|website=stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/jon-daly-appointed-interim-manager-of-st-patricks-athletic-after-resignation-of-tim-clancy/a1237530575.html|title=Jon Daly appointed interim manager of St Patrick's Athletic after resignation of Tim Clancy|website=Irish Independent|date=2 May 2023 }}

=Cork City=

On 24 November 2023, Clancy was announced as the new manager of Cork City, who had recently been relegated to the League of Ireland First Division.{{cite web | url=https://www.corkcityfc.ie/blogs/news/tim-clancy-appointed-head-coach-of-cork-city-fc | title=Tim Clancy appointed Head Coach of Cork City FC }} He led the club straight back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking by winning the 2024 League of Ireland First Division title by a staggering 22 points ahead of second placed UCD.{{Cite

web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/cork-city-seal-promotion-back-to-premier-division-with-victory-at-ucd/a1182648885.html|title=Cork City seal promotion back to Premier Division with victory at UCD|date=7 September 2024|website=Irish Independent}}{{cite web | url=https://www.footballcareers.com/news/tim-clancy-cork-city-promotion/ | title=Tim Clancy's Cork City Promoted to Ireland Premier Division | date=20 October 2024 }}

On 9 May 2025, Clancy resigned as manager of the club following a 2–1 defeat to Derry City, leaving the club second from bottom in the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/the-decision-to-leave-is-mine-and-mine-alone-tim-clancy-quits-as-cork-city-manager/a1624778631.html|title='The decision to leave is mine and mine alone,' – Tim Clancy quits as Cork City manager|date=10 May 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}

Career statistics

=Playing career=

Professional appearances in playing career.{{soccerbase|35652}}{{Cite web|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/people/soccer/tim-clancy/58355/|title=Tim Clancy – Soccer player profile & career statistics – Global Sports Archive|website=globalsportsarchive.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35652|title=Tim Clancy | Football Stats | Bray Wanderers | Age 37 | Soccer Base|website=soccerbase.com}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Millwall

|2003–04

|EFL Championship

|0

0colspan=2|—00colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—00
Weymouth (loan)

|2003–04{{Cite web|url=https://uptheterras.co.uk/weymouth-football-club-archive/player-archive/|title=Player Archive|date=27 November 2017}}

|Southern Football League

|11

00000colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—110
rowspan="3"|AFC Hornchurch

|2004–05

|Essex Senior Football League

|colspan=2|—
2006–07

|IL Premier Division

|colspan=2|—
colspan="2"|Total!colspan=2|—
Fisher Athletic (loan)

|2005–06

|IL Premier Division

|colspan=2|—
rowspan="6"|Kilmarnock

|2007–08

|rowspan="5"|Scottish Premier League

|11

00000colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—110
2008–09

|13

00000colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—130
2009–10

|20

02010colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—230
2010–11

|21

01030colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—250
2011–12

|1

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—10
colspan="2"|Total

!66

03040colspan=2|—colspan=2|—730
Motherwell

|2011–12

|Scottish Premier League

|26

03010colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—300
rowspan="3"|Hibernian

|2012–13

|rowspan="2"|Scottish Premier League

|19

11010colspan=2|—colspan=2|—211
2013–14

|0

00000colspan=2|—colspan=2|—00
colspan="2"|Total

!19

11010colspan=2|—colspan=2|—211
St Johnstone

|2013–14

|Scottish Premier League

|4

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—41
Shamrock Rovers

|2015

|LOI Premier Division

|3

000202{{efn|Appearances in the UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}}01{{efn|Appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}}080
Sligo Rovers (loan)

|2015

|rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division

|8

110colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan="2"|—91
rowspan="2"|Sligo Rovers

|2016

|7

00000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—70
colspan="2"|Total

!15

11000colspan=2|—colspan=2|—161
rowspan="3"|Bray Wanderers

|2016

|rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division

|13

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—130
2017

|23

31000colspan="2"|—2{{efn|1 appearance in the Leinster Senior Cup & 1 appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup}}0263
colspan="2"|Total

!36

31000colspan="2"|—20293
colspan="3"|Career Total

!170

6908020301926

{{notelist}}

=Managerial career=

{{updated|match played 9 May 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

Drogheda United

|5 December 2017

|2 December 2021

{{WDL|128|60|27|41|for=215|against=148|diff=yes}}

St Patrick's Athletic

|2 December 2021

|2 May 2023

{{WDL|56|25|10|21|for=81|against=67|diff=yes}}

Cork City

|24 November 2023

|9 May 2025

{{WDL|56|26|18|12|for=85|against=51|diff=yes}}

colspan="3"|Total

{{WDLtot|240|111|55|74|for=381|against=266|diff=yes}}

Honours

=As manager=

References

{{reflist}}