Morrissey kicks champions into life

CHAMPIONS Cork City had to work hard to break down Waterford at Turner’s Cross last night but eventually did enough to make it two wins from two in the league.

After a scoreless opening period, John Caulfield’s side dominated proceedings after the restart and Gearóid Morrissey’s 55th-minute goal put them into a lead which didn’t look like being ceded, with Garry Buckley making it 2-0 on 63.

The two Cork-born midfielders were the Rebel Army’s fifth and sixth scorers in three games so far, including the President’s Cup, with the absence of the suspended Graham Cummins not affecting City.

In an even first period, Waterford did much to suggest that they would break the deadlock, with last week’s matchwinner Dean O’Halloran and Ismahil Akinade posing tough questions of the City defence.

More than once, Alan Bennett had to be alert to danger, most notably in the 27th minute when he got an important block on Akinade’s header from Rory Feely’s cross.

Gavan Holohan, playing against his former club, was showing signs of creativity in the Waterford midfield while the visitors were doing well to shut off the supply lines when City looked to attack.

Conor McCormack tested Niall Corbett from distance and Barry McNamee had an effort off-target and, just before half-time, it was McNamee’s free kick which glanced off he head of Waterford’s Bastien Héry and skidded wide. City, with McNamee drifting more centrally after the break, slowly took control. After Shane Griffin had a cross pawed away by Corbett, it was his low ball in which allowed McNamee a chance and though his shot was blocked, Morrissey was able to place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.

On 63, the lead was doubled when Buckley poked in Kieran Sadlier’s cross at the near post and there was no chance of a two-goal lead being coughed up, as happened against St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend.

Karl Sheppard had a late chance to make it three but Dylan Barnett did well to deny him.