Maguire delivers goods one last time before exit
SEAN MAGUIRE signed off with a last Premier Division goal, and an assist, for Cork before his imminent move to Preston. The result yesterday afternoon, under brilliant sunshine, moved Cork 15 points clear of defending champions Dundalk on the back of a 21 league game unbeaten run. Playing their first game after 16 days of confusion off the pitch concerning their financial future, Bray failed to attract the much-hoped-for biggest crowd of the season. An official attendance of 1,879 came through the Carlisle Grounds turnstiles, a way short of the crowd of 2,225 which saw them beat Shamrock Rovers in April. Despite their players all putting themselves on the transfer list last Friday, the Seagulls remain third in the table and in pursuit of a Europa League spot. That competition is up next for Cork on Thursday when they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against AEK Larnaca. With City making it nine successive Premier wins, new Preston striker Maguire started and finished the opening score in the 13th minute. He fed Karl Sheppard, who found Steven Beattie, and his whipped right-wing cross was powerfully headed in by the 23-year-old for his 20th of the campaign. Maguire nearly doubled City’s lead seven minutes before the break. Latching onto Kieran Sadlier’s pass, the forward jinked past Conor Kenna in the box but a sprawling Peter Cherrie dived at his feet to smother. Without a chance of note in the opening period, the hosts went close to a 51st-minute leveller. But Aaron Greene’s effort found the side-netting after a right-wing run. Having been booked on the hour for simulation, Maguire was denied by the woodwork in the 63rd minute with sub Achille Campion’s followup tipped over superbly by Cherrie. Bray pressed the selfdestruct button in the 86th minute. Skipper Conor Kenna’s miscue was pounced on by Maguire on the left flank. He drilled low across goal and the unmarked Jimmy Keohane tapped in to seal the points.