City fortunate to take full points from lively UCD

Cork City 3

UCD played the better football for much of the game and they would have succeeded in taking at least a point but for a magnificent first-half save by goalkeeper Michael Devine from a UCD penalty. His performance and the bright play of Cork’s strike force helped to cloak the deficiencies in a Cork side that struggled in midfield and in defence. UCD have always been a bogey for Cork, and while they looked to be in danger of being overrun in the early play, they recovered splendidly to show just why they have invariably enjoyed good results on this ground. True, they benefited from a questionable second penalty decision by the referee, but they could, with some justification, suggest that Cork’s third goal was scored from an offside position.

John O’Flynn, the former Peterborough United player who was again a huge influence on Cork’s performance, ran clear from halfway onto a long clearance from David Warren as UCD’s defence stood motionless, expecting an offside whistle. O’Flynn was totally professional in his attitude as he took the ball round goalkeeper Barry Ryan to score. The goal was important because it came after 72 minutes when Cork were under increasing pressure in defence of a 2-1 lead. Its importance was underlined when Robbie Doyle converted a second penalty for UCD within two minutes and again the referee’s decision was open to question.

Doyle actually shot wide under pressure from ten yards range as two Cork defenders slide into the tackle. The referee must have judged a challenge from Alan Carey to have come from behind for he showed the full-back a yellow card before allowing Doyle convert the penalty. Cork’s eclipse was surprising because their opening salvo was as bright and as the sun-filled evening and immediately raised the fans’ hopes of a repeat of their spectacular performance against Shelbourne. Once again they scored as early as the 14th minute.

This time the UCD defenders held their line on the edge of the penalty area when Gareth Cronin played a free from halfway over the top. John O’Flynn timed his run to perfect and he was untroubled as he flicked a header past goalkeeper Barry Ryan.

Cork were clearly on top without ever playing as well as they had done against Shels and their dominance was shaken by an equalising goal within another five minutes.

A mistake by Gareth Cronin when he mis-timed his jump to a clearance from Alan Mahon left Robbie Martin clear and he stepped away from the advancing Michael Devine to score comfortably.

The goal did wonders for UCD and with confidence brimming they exerted growing pressure on a Cork defence that was far from secure. UCD controlled midfield and, with Cork’s defence forced to go long from the pressure UCD maintained, the Cork strikers suffered from a lack of supply.

Manager Liam Murphy heeded the warning bells that were ringing from Cork but he could not have anticipated how quickly his decision to introduce Billy Woods in the 34th minute would pay off.

Within five minutes Woods, who was making his debut following his Summer move from Shamrock Rovers, put Cork back in front. Colin O’Brien set up Alan Carey for a cross from the right and Woods sprinted inside full-back Mahon to volley right-footed past Ryan from six yards.

Cork went on to maintain their 100 record in the League but the ability of UCD to dominate for long periods will have caused Cork food for thought. They were fortunate that their strike force made such good use of what little supply of ball they received.

Cork City: Devine; Carey, Napier, Cronin, Horgan; Mulconry (Woods 34), O’Brien (Reynolds 53), Bennett, Warren; O’Callaghan, O’Flynn.

UCD: Ryan; Mahon, McDonnell, Purdy, McAuley; Whelan (Delaney 71), McNally, Finn, O’Donnell; Martin, Doyle.

Referee: Mr. J. O’Neill (Waterford)