Silagailus gets Cork off mark against nine-man Bray

Cork City 2 Bray Wanderers 1

Two goals from Latvian forward, Guntars Silagailus, proved the difference in an ordinary contest as Paul Doolin earned his first three points as the Leesider’s new manager.

The former Drogheda boss will not be too pleased with large parts of his side’s performance in a game City should have wrapped up long before Bray found themselves with just nine men on the park eight minutes from time.

The day didn’t start too well either for the home club after yet another bad news story surrounding pay hit the headlines.

Full back Danny Murphy, was allegedly not paid his wages this week after being asked to take a cut and renegotiate his contract down from a two-year to a one-year deal, one which he rejected.

The former Motherwell player is expected to meet club owner, Tom Coughlan, but it’s a matter the Leeside club could do without as they bid to get their season up and running.

Murphy was in the starting line-up as City searched for their first league win of the season after losing to both St Pat’s and Derry City and drawing away to Sligo.

Bray started promisingly with the aid of strong downfield wind. Dave Massey saw his early corner swing under Dan Connor’s goal but the Cork custodian was alert enough to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Colin Healy then unleashed a fine shot from 25 yards before the ball swerved left of Chris O’Connor’s goal.

The Seagulls had their best chance when a Massey ball from left midfield was met by the head of Gary McCabe from close-range, but the winger directed it against Connor’s post.

Cork proceeded to then play the more controlled football with Joe Gamble and Colin Healy overshadowing both Stephen Brennan and Daryl Robson.

It might have been frustration on Brennan’s part that saw him receive a second yellow and red in the 24th minute after sliding late into Neal Horgan. However, Brennan’s dismissal saw the game depreciate considerably.

However, City finally prospered with their numerical advantage and, in the 27th minute, got the breakthrough goal. A fine run along the right wing by Gamble saw the midfielder cross to the far post, Denis Behan headed across goal where the waiting Latvian, Silagailis, headed home from close range.

City looked on course to bag their first win of the season when they doubled their lead on 59 minutes; Gamble was the provider before Silagailus took his personal tally to three goals in three games. The midfielder cushioned a sublime pass towards the feet of the former FK Riga striker, who delicately chipped over the advancing O’Connor. Retreating Bray defender, Dave Mulcahy, made a desperate attempt to clear his lines but to no avail.

However, four minutes later, at the other end Mulcahy took advantage of some slack City defending. City, firstly, dealt inadequately with a Massey free kick into the box before substitute Chris Shields squared from the right allowing Mulcahy to rattle the net from two metres, leaving the City back four flat-footed.

Bray survived a few scares in their area, but their chances of getting more out of the game were dealt another blow when they lost the services of Dave Pender with eight minutes left. Having used their three substitutes, the visitors were forced to play the remainder of the gamer with just nine men after Pender limped off following a strong tackle from Danny Murphy.

Remarkably, Bray were doing most of the attacking as the game entered injury time, Eddie Gormley’s men were working tirelessly, not just in defence, but they bravely endeavoured to get an equaliser.

CORK CITY: Connor; Horgan, Murray, O’Halloran, Murphy; O’Neill (C Lordan 78 mins), Gamble, Healy, Dennehy; Silagailus, Behan.

BRAY WANDERERS: O’Connor; Pender, Webster, Mulcahy, Massey; Kelly (Coughlan 64 mins), Brennan, Robson, McCabe; Byrne (Shield 36 mins), Flood (Mulroy 64 mins).

Referee: M Gough