Murphy puts City top

Cork City 1 Longford Town 1

Murphy, who joined the club from local side Cobh Ramblers during the close season, was only on the pitch three minutes when he headed his first senior goal for Cork with his first touch following a Gavin Kavanagh cross.

In the meeting of the sides managed by first cousins, it was Tony Cousins whose team got off to a great start with a goal after just six minutes.

Austin Skelly hit his third league goal of the season when he struck a shot from the edge of the penalty area high to the roof of James McCarthy’s net.

Longford, who failed to defeat the Leesiders in their three league meetings last season, Cork winning both home fixtures 1-0, led by that same scoreline at the break.

But they had their goalkeeper Paul Hunt to thank for their advantage as he made three fine saves before half time, denying Davin O’Neill twice and making another good stop from Shane Duggan.

But the home side pushed for an equaliser after the break and following Murphys late, late finish, they remain the only unbeaten team in the country.

Cork boss Tommy Dunne was happy at the end as he shared a conversation with his relative and opposite number Tony Cousins.

As for Longford’s former £1m footballer Keith Gillespie, who moved from Manchester United to Newcastle for that fee, he lasted only an hour before being replaced.

CORK CITY: McCarthy; Turner, Spillane, Kavanagh, Murphy; O’Neill, Duggan, O’Halloran, Morrissey; Cummins, Sullivan.

Subs; Escadau-Kandau for O’Halloran (58), J Murphy for Turner (86).

LONGFORD: Hunt; O’Rielly, Hope, Deans, Roche; Gillespie, Hyland, Salmon, Morley; Cowan, Skelly.

Subs; Oladele for Roche (54),Brady for Gillespie(60).

Referee: P Caschera (Dublin).