City weather the storm

Cork City 1

It produced some exciting entertainment, plenty of controversy and a magnificent individual display by Cork’s newest signing centre-back Dan Murray.

Murray, signed from Peterborough United, was a commanding figure throughout the second half after he had brought Cork roaring back into the contest by scoring a goal in the 38th minute. His resolute defending was an inspiration as Cork succeeded in taming Bohs’ highly-rated strike force and he was always adventurous enough to venture deep into enemy territory, even in the dying minutes when most would have settled for a draw.

The entertainment content of a match that helped confirm Bohemians standing as champions-elect centred round their glorious football in an opening 30 minutes when there was a style and a swagger to their football that promised much. The controversy revolved around the dismissal of Cork’s George O’Callaghan after 62 minutes.

O’Callaghan was sent off after a clash with Colin Hawkins that occurred on the half-way line, directly in front of the fourth official. The players had been engaged in a verbal exchange seconds before and after this latest clash Hawkins called on the fourth official to intervene, alleging that O’Callaghan had stood on him. Referee Damien Hancock (Dublin) produced the red card after a brief word with the official and suddenly Cork’s task looked hopeless. But Cork played with such determination and energy afterwards that it was they and not Bohs who came nearest to snatching a win.

In truth, Cork should have been so close to Bohs for they struggled badly to cope in the opening half-hour when Bohs created and passed up match-winning chances. They were denied by some outstanding goalkeeping by Michael Devine and by their own carelessness in front of goal.

A near capacity attendance of more than 6,500 enjoyed it thoroughly and again made the stadium a vibrant place. The atmosphere was heightened further by the colourful contribution of the Bohs’ fans.

For 30 minutes Bohs sparkled on a glorious night for football. Their only return came after 23 minutes when Glen Crowe claimed his 12th League goal of the season as he turned in a superb cross from Fergal Harkin.

The wonder was that Bohs did not build on this. Alan Carey was forced to head the ball virtually off the goal line after Harkin had chipped the ball past goalkeeper Devine after 35 minutes, Bobby Ryan snapped a shot against an upright within a minute and before another sixty seconds had elapsed Rutherford carelessly turned the ball wide from five yards when it seemed easier to score.

Cork’s goal led a charmed life and Bohs were rampant in every line of the team. Their twin strikers, Ryan and Crowe, always carried a threat and out wide Harkin and Rutherford gave Cork’s full-backs a torrid time. Despite the shortcomings evident in Cork´s play, there was no denying their spirit, however.

They struck back with a goal following a free in the 38th minute. Daly dropped the free from half-way over the top of the defence where Billy Woods succeeded in heading the ball across goal. Centre-back Dan Murray was there to chest the ball down and side-foot it home and suddenly there was a new spring in Cork’s step.

The outstanding John O’Flynn flashed a shot from the left-wing against the angle of crossbar and upright and he was narrowly wide immediately afterwards when he was set up by O’Callaghan as Cork stepped up the pace.

Predictably the second half produced a much tighter contest and the contest boiled into controversy with the dismissal of O’Callaghan in the 62nd minute.

Cork were regularly stretched in the remaining 30 minutes, but they reacted to the setback with typical spirit. So determined were they that they succeeded in a couple of breakaway attacks in going close to spoiling Bohs’ unbroken record.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Devine; Carey, Daly, Murray, Horgan; Bennett (O´Halloran 31), Reynolds (Warren 65), O´Grady, Woods; O´Callaghan, O´Flynn.

BOHEMIANS (4-4-2): Bayes; Lynch (O´Connor 90), Hawkins, McNally, Webb; Harkin (Reilly 84), Hunt, Caffrey, Rutherford; Ryan (O´Neill 56), Crowe.

Referee: D. Hancock (Dublin).