Longford Town 1
Cork City 4
CORK CITY RAN riot at the City Calling Stadium scoring four times against an out of character Longford Town.
A double from Karl Sheppard and strikes from Mark O’Sullivan and debutant Steven Beattie rounded off a perfect display. Dean Kelly did get a consolation late on but this will be no substitute to the one sided scoreline.
The first-half was dominated by the visitors and Kevin O’Connor’s excellent set-piece delivery producing two assists in quick succession.
The opener coming on the 20 minute mark when Steven Beattie put his recent League of Ireland past behind him, sneaking behind the back post and heading the ball into the back of the net.
One then became two, with Sheppard latching onto O’Connor’s corner.
The City man found space behind the Town’s defence and powered the shot home from close range, although it did take a slight deflection off William Tyrell.
Longford found it difficult to create any chances in the first 45 and came closest on stroke of the interval. Mark Salmon’s goalbound header was tipped away by Mark McNulty to maintain City’s two goal advantage at the break.
The hosts were unable to get hold of possession against the quality of Cork and John Caulfield’s side made them pay.
O’Sullivan latched onto a ball over the top and showed great composure to calmly slot past the goalkeeper, although Tony Cousins’ side felt the striker was offside.
Their anger was increased when Cork got their fourth towards the end with Sheppard adding his second of the game, one-on-one with the keeper and playing the ball off the post.
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The home team did have something to smile about before the end when on the full-time whistle, Kelly produced a stinging effort from all of 40 yards out to give McNulty no chance.
This was a consolation in the true definition of the word as Cork get their title challenge back on track and Longford stay in the middle of the table.
Longford Town: Skinner, Mulhall, Tyrell, Salmon, Shaw (O Sullivan 82’), O Connor, Powell, Mohamed (Simon 82’), Gorman, Kelly, Doherty (Shannon 57’).
Cork City: McNulty, Bennett, Dunleavy, Murray, Holohan, O Connor, Sheppard, Beattie (Kearney 86’), Miller, O Sullivan (Morrissey 81’), Buckley.