Cork City 3-1 Drogheda United
LATE GOALS FROM Garry Buckley and Billy Dennehy ensured that Cork City returned to winning ways against Drogheda United at Turner’s Cross tonight.
What will please Cork City manager John Caulfield is that his side managed to quarry the three points despite looking more likely to concede again after Drogheda had drawn level through Carl Walshe.
Gavin Brennan had had their best chance to forge in front, heading wide from Michael Daly’s cross, but with 14 minutes left Buckley struck. First, he showed lovely skill to create a chance for Billy Dennehy, and when his low drive was parried David Ryan, the midfielder did well to set himself and fire home.
When Dennehy curled home a free kick with eight minutes left for his sixth goal of the season, the points were safe.
Despite applying most of the early pressure, the hosts were unable to really trouble Ryan and Drogheda got a great chance to take the lead when Declan O’Brien was fouled by Cork goalkeeper Mark McNulty in the area. Despite sending McNulty wide from the penalty spot, however, Brennan sent his shot wide.
City’s best opportunity was a Dan Murray header off the crossbar from John Kavanagh’s cross, but it was not until the second half, and a change to 4-5-1 from 4-4-2, that they began to find some joy.
The lead goal arrived shortly before the hour when Liam Kearney fired home after Buckley had had an effort blocked, but the lead lasted only six minutes as Daly’s cross was half-blocked and Carl Walshe was on hand to level for Drogheda. It could have gone either way after that, but Cork will have been pleased to show the necessary character to get the win.
Cork City: McNulty; Kavanagh, Murray, D Dennehy, Dunleavy; Kearney (Murphy 80), G Morrissey, Buckley (Buckley 89), B Dennehy; Elding (O’Leary half-time), O’Sullivan.
Drogheda United: Ryan; Daly (Doyle 85), McNally, Andrews, Grimes; Walshe, McGuigan, O’Neill (Hughes 85), Maher (Foley 85), Brennan; O’Brien.
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
Airtricity League Premier Division results
- Bray Wanderers 0-0 Derry City
- Cork City 3-1 Drogheda United
- Dundalk 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
- Limerick 2-1 Athlone Town
- St Pat’s 3-1 Bohemians
- Sligo 5-0 UCD
