Cork City 4
Cobh Ramblers 1
Stephen Barry reports from Turner’s Cross
Cork City cruised into the mid-season break by dismantling Cobh Ramblers for another three-goal derby win which extends their First Division lead to 11 points over UCD.
Cian Coleman scored the opener and created the second for Darragh Crowley to claim a two-goal half-time lead. Jack Doherty netted again against his former club before Nolan Evers pulled one back. But Cian Murphy added a sweet fourth to break his drought and wrap up an accomplished display in front of 2,524 fans.
The extent of their dominance was underlined by the fact they had another three shots rebounding back off the woodwork via Murphy, Doherty, and Greg Bolger.
Both teams made one change following their 2-0 victories last Friday. Brendeán Frahill returned to the Ramblers defence, while Murphy was added to the City attack.
Corner-kicks have been City’s most consistent route to success and they had plenty of opportunities here, earning 11 in the first half. They were almost exclusively down the right, too, as Cian Bargary caused problems. Their hit rate was impressive, converting two.
Their opener came in the 12th minute after Darragh Burke parried a Jack Doherty shot behind. Evan McLaughlin’s delivery found Coleman unmarked to spin a perfect header inside the post for his fourth of the season.
They came close from another set piece as Murphy’s flicked header from a Bolger free-kick struck the post.
Doherty hit the other post with a shot filed under goal-of-the-season near-misses. Following in the footsteps of Seán Murray’s halfway-line effort last week, Doherty juggled the ball from right to left foot and without allowing it to touch the ground, unleashed a volley while falling which had Burke beaten all ends up.
In the end, it was the old-reliable corner-kick method that provided the cushion. Coleman’s pressure created the chance and Crowley could hardly believe his luck when he turned around to find the ball at his feet to finish. A first goal since the famous 4-4 draw with Shamrock Rovers 15 months ago for the injury-hit right-back.
Having smacked both posts, City completed the hat-trick by smashing the crossbar early in the second half via Bolger’s wickedly dipping strike.
They had their third within a minute. Bolger switched out wide to Bargary and this time, rather than being blocked for a corner, his cross was on the money for Doherty to dive in. His sixth goal of the season and more importantly, his first since early March.
Burke saved Doherty’s next attempt and a Bargary blast was blocked by Justin Eguaibor before the winger’s brilliant ball just evaded Murphy.
Ramblers’ first shot arrived after an hour when Brad Wade advanced quickly off his line to deny Tiernan O’Brien. They had their breakthrough from a 76th-minute corner when Evers powered in Jack Larkin’s delivery.
A worrying note for City followed when Bargary was shouldered off the field by Murphy and the team doctor, unable to put pressure on his right leg.
It ended on a high with Murphy’s long-awaited first goal in 14 months. Harry Nevin, who tested Burke with a piledriver moments prior, kept the ball alive, Malik Dijksteel sent it back across goal, and the striker was in the right place to nod home.
CORK CITY: B Wade; D Crowley (H Nevin 58), C Coleman, C Lyons, E McLaughlin; G Bolger (B Coffey 66), S Murray (A Healy 73); C Bargary (J Fitzpatrick 73), J Doherty, C Drinan (M Dijksteel 58); C Murphy.
COBH RAMBLERS: D Burke; J Eguaibor, B Frahill, D Larkin, L Le Bervet (A De Sanctis 85); D Holland (N Evers h-t), J Abbott; T O’Brien, J Larkin, L Kervick (E Deasy 86); D Bosnjak (G Towler 92).
Referee: D Murphy.
Limerick again
Pretty rough on Offaly winning the McDonagh and as consequence facing the tougher opponents. Hard to fancy anyone other than Limerick. I said it to myself the minute after they won the All-Ireland last season. All them injured men returning this time only makes them stronger!
Laois will give Wexford a rattle. Big mental defeat for Clare today. Joe McDonagh competition is strong which shouldn’t be changed. The 2nd tier football competition could learn from it and only have 12 teams playing for Sam Maguire, relegate the rest.
@Alan: Doubt it. Expect Wexford to beat them well. The Joe Mcdonagh is dreadful standard. It’s competitive but that’s not the same as strong. You have Munster and Killkenny. Forget about the rest. They are miles off.
@Ray Ridge: give over you know it all!! Arrogance pouring out of your veins
@Dan Delaney: He’s not wrong, name another team outside of munster or Kilkenny with any hope of winning. I’d be absolutely gobsmacked if it isn’t cork, clare, limerick or kilkenny.
2 good semis to look forward too. Top 4 in country. Limerick v Clare and Killkenny v Clare.
@Ray Ridge: Limerick v Cork and Killkenny v Clare.
I think Wexford can snare Clare assuming they beat Laois. Cork vs limerick should be good too assuming cork beat offaly.
I think most hurling fans would have predicted a Kilkenny vs Limerick final at the start of the year and it is still looking likely at this stage of the season.
I think if that happens Kilkenny will put limerick to the pin of their collar but limerick will prevail.
I do agree Clare will struggle from today, expect Wexford to win that. Kilkenny got no match yesterday and that’s not what they wanted.
Cork could be dangerous but experience on the big occasion will cost them.
It’s Corks year, Kiely and the old boys are going back to the hurling wilderness as the JP era is coming to a close.
Unreal team since 2018 and without doubt the best team so far this century.
Limerick have been an unbelievable team since 2018 but their fans can focus on booking their summer holidays from July 7th and all summers going forward.
Twas great to have Limerick enjoy a run of success as it freshened the hurling up.
Hopefully Offaly can carry on the baton from Limerick and put it up to the traditional counties.