Vinny goal makes sure City are first past post

NEWLY-ELECTED TDs Jonathan O’Brien and Mick Wallace were on opposite sides of the football divide in Turner’s Cross last night but it was Cork City who topped the poll, beating Wexford Youths with a goal before half-time from Vinny Sullivan, the striker who has returned from Waterford United for a second stint on the Lee.

Keeper Mark McNulty won his fitness battle to start for a City side which welcomed back the Cockney Rebel himself, Danny Murphy, and saw competitive debuts for Sullivan and French import Vincent Escude- Candau.

Their opening night was actually delayed by 10 minutes owning to crowd congestion at the turnstiles – always a welcome problem in the domestic league – and, from the opening whistle, Cork seemed anxious to make up for lost time, penetrating with purpose into Wexford’s box in front of the noisy Shed end, some promising attacks let down only by a lack of precision on the final ball

Indeed, the home side should have been ahead inside 10 minutes. Neal Horgan, in an advanced position on the right, floated over a deep cross which Packie Holden could only punch as far as Davin O’Neill. And when the winger lobbed the keeper with a ball back into the six-yard box, Graham Cummins was left with his head in hands after nodding the ball wide of the unprotected goal.

Minutes later, Cummins was in again from the right on the end of a great pass from Gearoid Morrissey but, rather than squaring, he elected to shoot with the outside of his right foot, allowing Holden to make a comfortable save.

But the experienced keeper had much tougher work to do when brilliantly blocking a close-range effort, again from Cummins, in the 25th minute, as Cork continued to boss the game but, against a Wexford defence whose commitment was personified by Anto Russell, struggled to turn their dominance into goals.

The visitors had Holden to thank again when, six minutes from the break, he reacted brilliantly to turn a powerful Vinny Sullivan shot on the half-volley over the top. The half drew to an end with Cork peppering the Wexford goal, as Danny Murphy rolled back the years to burn up the flanks and send in a series of fine crosses.

However, it was a cross from the right by the impressive Morrissey which finally broke the deadlock almost on the stroke of half-time. Cummins supplied the headed knock-down and Sullivan the cool finish as he clipped the ball over Holden from close-range.

The second half was barely four minutes old when Sullivan spurned two chances to double his and Cork’s tally, first toe-poking past Holden but wide of the post and then heading over from the edge of the six-yard box.

In truth, Cork could and should have been at least three or four goals to the good at this stage. Instead, they put themselves under unnecessary pressure by failing to buttress the most dangerous lead in football, even if Mark McNulty continued to play the role of bystander.

Manager Tommy Dunne looked to freshen things up with just over 20 minutes to go, midfielder Shane Duggan, back from injury, coming on for Vinny Sullivan, with Escude-Candau pushing forward to play behind Cummins.

But, as the game threatened to peter out, Kalen Spillane was sent off for a second yellow card offence, giving Wexford hope of an unlikely equaliser. But McNulty took control of his box and the 10 men were able to see out time added on.

CORK CITY: McNulty, Horgan, Kavanagh, Spillane, Murphy, Morrissey, Escude-Candau (Kiely 84), O’ Neill, Cummins, Sullivan (Duggan 67)

WEXFORD YOUTHS: Holden, Keogh, Wolfe, Russell, Kehoe, Ryan (Cream 78), Yelverton (Grincell 78),Wall, Nolan, Mullen (Malone 63), Furlong

Referee: Stewart Templeman (Clare).