Dolan delight as City finally lay Pats’ bogey

St. Patrick’s Athletic 0 Cork City 2

Their dominance of St. Pat's attack was complete, and they deserved a win that gave manager Pat Dolan his first success over his former charges.

The win Cork's first over St. Pats in their fifth meeting of the season was significant. The three eircom League points that were gained strengthened Cork's prospects of European football next season, and extended their unbeaten run to seven.

Their win was achieved with two second half goals of rare quality. But it was built on a defensive performance that reflected good organisation and at adherence to a work ethic that was too much for St.Pats to subdue on the night.

Cork needed to be focused and determined, for St. Pats hit them hard in an opening half when they were firmly in control.

It was important that Cork's defence should stretch all the way to their front-runners, and George O'Callaghan and 19-year-old Kevin Doyle, played important roles in the overall scheme.

Doyle shipped some heavy punishment, and the talented O'Callaghan inevitably suffered physically as he helped contribute to the overall security of the Cork defence by staying on the ball as long as possible.

St. Pats suffered because of the absence of three of their regular first team squad Mbabazi Livingstone, Keith Fahey, and French full-back El Khebir and only they can say to what extent, if any, their Cup final appearance next Sunday influenced their approach.

But they played with their usual energy and drive and introduced an interesting newcomer in left-winger Keith Foy.

Pats lost their chances of winning the game in that first half when Cork struggled to lift the pressure off their defence. But only Foy went close to breaking the deadlock, and he was denied by the alert Michael Devine who did well to touch over his powerful free from 20 yards in the 43rd minute.

The second half told a different story as Cork finally began to gain a grip in midfield and to put some passes together. First half they were under so much pressure they kicked away a lot of possession but, having drawn the fire of St.Pats attack, they gradually expanded their football as the game aged.

It was fitting then that the most constructive move of the game from Cork should have yielded a marvellous opening goal after 57 minutes. And O'Callaghan, predictably, played a major role.

He resisted a couple of challenges just outside the St. Pats penalty box in the 57th minute, before snapping a pass straight ahead to the feet of Doyle. He turned the ball wide for Colin T. O'Brien, and when he clipped it immediately across the penalty area Neal Horgan arrived on cue to head powerfully to the net.

The goal was an incentive for St. Pats to step up their game and the result hinged on a critical incident in the 63rd minute.

Centre-forward Tony Bird broke clear on goal as a long clearance escaped Cork's central defenders. Goalkeeper Devine made a brave save, throwing himself at the feet of the centre-forward to deflect the ball away when an equaliser seemed inevitable.

"We were excellent tonight" said a delighted Pat Dolan, "the boys worked very hard and I could not have asked for more. It was a special night for me to come here and win and it was due reward for an excellent performance from everybody involved."

Cork made sure with a second goal after 69 minutes.

Doyle skipped past Foley on the left flank and his low cross into the penalty area found O'Callaghan sliding in front of Darragh Maguire to steer the ball home.

"It was a delight to earn the reward we worked so hard for" said Dolan, "but this is a team in transition and we are a long way from where we want to be. But it is a nice feeling to reflect on a job well done."

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Adamson; Prenderville, Foley, Delaney, Maguire; Dunne, Murphy (McPhee 68), Osam, Foy; Freeman (Donnelly 82), Bird.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Devine; Horgan, Coughlan, D. Murray, Woods; C. T. O'Brien, O'Halloran, Kearney; Doyle (Behan 90), O'Callaghan.

Referee: Mr E. Barr (Dublin).