City dig in to remain unbeaten

CORK CITY remain unbeaten after they came from behind twice to draw with Roddy Collins’ Monaghan United in front of 2,006 spectators at Turner’s Cross last night.

Two goals from Derek Fabio O’Brien seemed to put the visitors on the way to victory on two occasions.

Former St Patrick’s Athletic striker O’Brien scored his first goal after seven minutes when he guided a cross from full back Shane Grimes past goalkeeper Mark McNulty with a glancing header.

Cork midfielder Shane Duggan has a great chance when on 15 minutes he burst through the Monaghan defence but with just goalkeeper Gabriel Sava to beat, the net minder spread himself to block what seemed a certain goal.

But Cork were level in the 24th minute when a well struck corner from Gearóid Morrissey was headed to the net by centre forward Graham Cummins from 12 yards for last season’s top scorers first goal of the season.

Cork dominated proceedings up until the break with efforts from O’Brien, and Morrissey both well saved by the in-form Sava.

Monaghan, who had defeated Cork three times last season, twice in the league and also in the FAI Cup, were back in front just after the hour mark when a Seán Brennan corner kick was headed to the net by O’Brien from eight yards. But it was the home side who had more of the chances and they were deservedly level in the 83rd minute.

Davin O’Neill struck a shot which went past goalkeeper Gabriel Sava off substitute Philip Byrne.

There had been much talk in football circles during the week with comments made by Monaghan boss, Roddy Collins, about his opposite number Tommy Dunne. But at the end of the night despite no hand shakes between the opposition managers, both bosses can be reasonably happy with a point each at the end of an incident-packed 90 minutes.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Horgan, Kavanagh, Spillane, Murphy; Morrissey, Duggan, O’Halloran, O’Brien; Cummins, O’Neill.

Subs: Sullivan for O’Brien(77).

MONAGHAN: Sava; McMahon, Rogers, Brennan, Grimes; Foley, Reilly, Fitzgerald, Marks; O’Brien, Brennan.

Subs: Byrne for McMahon(h/t), Isichei for Fitzgerald(60), Fallon for Brennan (70).

Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary).