Triumphant Rebels rule the roost

CORK CITY lured arch rivals Dundalk down a blind alley before holding them up and making away with the loot at a snowy Oriel Park.

The double winners were off the pace in the first half, understandably so as many of the team were coming to terms with the death of ex-team-mate Liam Miller.

And Dundalk cruised into a comfortable 2-0 lead with new striker Ronan Murray picking up from where David Mcmillan – now at St Johnstone – left off.

Karl Sheppard, who performed a dramatic

U-turn on a move to these parts in November, was roundly jeered on his half-time introduction.

But he stuck it to the boo-boys by pulling one back for Cork within four minutes of his arrival.

And the Rebels were on level terms seven minutes later when Barry Mcnamee had all the time in the world at the back post to head home Kieran Sadlier’s cross.

Dundalk remained in the fight at that stage and played on the front foot in search of a late winner.

But Cork hit them on the counter time and again and Sadlier scored a 30-yard screamer with 11 minutes to go to see the Rebels in front.

And any hope the Lilywhites had of snatching an equaliser was snuffed out three minutes later.

Graham Cummins, on his return to the Leeside club after time away in England and Scotland, killed off the contest close home.

A minute silence for former City midfielder Miller had been impeccably observed before the start.

Cork keeper Mark

Mcnulty – a close friend – was on compassionate leave and played no part.