Blues show true grit to hold City

Cork City 1 Waterford United 1

Waterford were forced to defend for long spells throughout the game, but their good organisation and consistent hard work earned them an encouraging draw in unlikely circumstances.

Never was the time-worn cliché a game of two halves more appropriate but it was also a tale of two penalties ... one that was awarded and one that was rejected.

Cork City benefited from both penalty decisions and the one they were awarded was especially influential. It stemmed from an incident after 67 minutes when Cork trailed by one goal.

John O’Flynn succeeded in turning centre-back David Breen as he ran clear of the defence. He was tumbled as Breen attempted to tackle from behind and while the penalty decision was indisputable, the red card that meant the dismissal of Breen made it a severe punishment.

O’Flynn struck a good penalty but goalkeeper Dan Connor made a superb save as he reached to his left to knock the ball down. But he was helpless as O’Flynn followed on to head the ball to the net.

The big talking points of a subdued first half were the decision of the referee not to award Waterford a penalty after 37 minutes and the persistent time-wasting tactics of Waterford goalkeeper Dan Connor.

The penalty issue was controversial as City defender Dan Murray attacked a cross from the left wing and in the process knocked Vinny Sullivan from behind as he headed the ball away. Sullivan’s protests earned him a yellow card. Goalkeeper Connor trod a dangerous path as he repeatedly delayed the re-start.

The referee chose not to intervene but Cork’s George O’Callaghan betrayed his inner feelings when he struck the ball at the goalkeeper when returning it to him for a goal kick. And harsh words were exchanged between several players as they left the pitch for the interval.

Small blame to Waterford for trying to win the game in the best way they thought possible, but they have a responsibility also to entertain. They succeeded in controlling Cork despite being forced to defend for much of the opening half and one of the reasons was because Cork were unable to inject enough pace into their game.

As a result Connor was seldom called into action and the most convincing goal-scoring attempt of the opening 45 minutes was produced by Waterford just before the break. Connor found Kevin O’Brien wide on the right and when he turned the ball inside Vinny Sullivan struck it first time from 25 yards for Michael Devine to make a good save.

Waterford’s lead goal after 52 minutes was the spark to inflame passions and hype up the tempo of the game. It came in unpredictable fashion when Alan Reilly struck a free from the right touchline with his left foot.

Goalkeeper Devine advanced in anticipation of a cross and although he got a touch as the ball sailed over his head he could not keep it out. Suddenly the game took on new life and Waterford responded with spirit to rising tempo of the Cork challenge.

They were impressive in the manner in which they coped with Breen’s loss and with David Mulcahy performing well as a deputy centre-back and keeper Connor alert an decisive, they fought with typical tenacity to earn their draw. Cork will ponder on their inability to provide their goal-scoring duo of O’Flynn and O’Callaghan with the scoring chances on which they thrive.

Kevin Doyle had his best game for them on the right of midfield but while they worked with a will they were defied by a team who matched their admirable work ethic.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Mooney; Horgan (Carey 80), Bennett, Murray, Hedderman (Behan 90); Doyle (C. P. O’Brien 86), O’Grady, O’Halloran, Woods; O’Callaghan, O’Flynn.

WATERFORD UNITED (4-4-2): Connor; Hughes, Breen, Byrne, Frost; O’Brien, Clifford, Mulcahy, Reilly (Cosgrove 84); Sullivan (Murphy 76), Waters. Referee: D. McKeon (Dublin).