Crucial late strike keeps Cork on top
CORK CITY remain top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as they grabbed a lastminute winner to defeat Bohemians 1-0 at Turners Cross last night.
Gearoid Morrissey’s thunderous half-volley was enough to earn the champions the win that keeps them one point clear of Dundalk at the top and sees them maintain their unbeaten record at home this season.
City made three changes to the side that defeated Sligo Rovers 20 at the showgrounds last Saturday evening.
Shane Griffin and Conor McCarthy replaced Alan Bennett and Danny Kane in defence while Barry McNamee came in for captain Conor McCormack in the heart of the City midfield.
And it was McCarthy who had the first opportunity on goal as he met Kieran Sadlier’s corner at the near post, but his header dropped just over the bar.
Bohemians also made three changes to the team that was beaten 2-1 at Dalymount Park by Derry City last time out with Dan Casey, Kevin Devaney and Keith Buckley taking the starting berths from Keith Ward, Paddy Kavanagh and Eoghan Stokes.
And the visitors were inches away from taking the lead in the 20th minute but Ian Morris’ flick header towards the far corner was hacked off the line by Barry McNamee.
The Leesiders were dealt a blow moments later as Karl Sheppard was forced to withdraw having suffered a knock. City rallied and they almost edged in front in fortuitous circumstances just shy of the half an hour mark.
Barry McNamee’s corner skipped off the head of Derek Pender but the Bohs captain was lucky to see the ball cannon off the inside of the far upright before McLoughlin scuffed the rebound straight at the keeper.
Cork continued to press and Graham Cummins thought he had finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute but his poke towards the bottom left corner was somehow turned wide by the outstretched Shane Supple.
John Caulfield’s side quickly picked up where they left off in the first half shortly after the restart and Sadlier was guilty of spurning a glorious chance for his side.
Substitute Steven Beattie found Sadlier who a sensational low cross from the right wing but the onrushing winger could only blast his effort over the bar from a few yards.
Bohemians thought they grabbed a goal against the run of play after 52 minutes as Dylan Watts slotted the ball past Mark McNulty when through on goal but his joy was short-lived as it was ruled out for offside.
These sides have already met twice in the League so far this season with Cork City winning both games comfortably, scoring five and conceding zero in the process.
Urged on by a crowd of 3,604, they again threatened on the hour mark but Cummins was denied his 13th league goal as Shane made a good save at his near post to deny the forward.
Caulfield brought on Josh O’Hanlon to give the home side more of an attacking impetus and it paid dividends in the final minute as Morrissey blasted Cummins’ knock-down into the roof of the net to earn City an important win.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan (Gearoid Morrissey 61), Conor McCarthy, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; Jimmy Keohane, Garry Buckley; Karl Sheppard (Steven Beattie 20), Kieran Sadlier, Barry McNamee (Josh O’Hanlon 78); Graham Cummins.
BOHEMIANS: Shane Supple; Derek Pender (Danny Grant 73), Rob Cornwall, Dan Casey (Dan Byrne 87), Paddy Kirk; Oscar Brennan, Ian Morris; Keith Buckley, Dylan Watts (Eoghan Stokes 91), Kevin Devaney; Dinny Corcoran.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).