Cummins delights on the double
Cummins, rumoured to be interesting Premier League new boys QPR, showed his class with goals in either half to keep City within touching distance of leaders Shels, who also won last night.
With Davin O’Neill away on honeymoon, Derek O’Brien, who scored in Monday night’s win over St Pats, got another chance to impress City boss Tommy Dunne. Vincent Escude-Candau, who was man-of-the match against Pat’s, again played just behind Cummins, with Vinny Sullivan on the right side of midfield.
City were frustrated in Athlone back in March when they had to settle for a scoreless draw after dominating but had the ideal start here and were in front within the opening seven minutes.
Vinny Sullivan received the ball on the right touchline, and when his cross was completely missed by Tommy Barrett, Cummins had time to take a touch before slotting home from six yards.
With Athlone struggling, the Turner’s Cross faithful expected their side to run riot but City were guilty of giving the ball away far too easily and didn’t threaten the visitors goal until two minutes before the break.
City boss Dunne must have had a few harsh words at half-time as City came out showing more hunger and were two up within three minutes.
The goal was a disaster for Athlone defender Kevin Dunne, who came on as a half-time substitute, when his woefully underhit backpass was intercepted by Cummins. The City striker steadied himself before drilling a low left footed shot into the corner of Schlingerman’s net for his 13th goal of the season and 10th in the league.
Escude-Candau twice came close with long-range efforts before Danny Murphy’s piledriver from 30 yards flew narrowly wide. After that it was all City, but some brilliant build up play was not rewarded with goals.
CORK CITY: McNulty, Mulcahy, Spillane, Kavanagh, Murphy, Sullivan, O’Halloran, Duggan, O’Brien, Escude-Candau (D Morrissey 86), Cummins.
ATHLONE TOWN: Schlingerman, Fallon, Barrett, Danagher, Carr, Tier (Dunne 45), Relihan (Relihan 74), Walshe, Williamson, Monaghan (Stack 74), Magee.
Referee: S Templeman (Kerry).
PHILIP HUGHES grabbed a hat-trick and Conan Byrne a fourth as Shels extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine by cruising past Mervue United at Tolka Park.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Ryan, Boyle , Paisley, Fitzgerald; C. Byrne, Dawson, Cassidy (McGill 67), B. McGill (Clancy h/t); Hughes (Bermingham 78), Mullhall.
MERVUE UNITED: Forde; Crehan, McGrath (Dravins 79), Conneely, Ludden; Tierney (Collins 73), Varley, O’Brien, Mountney, Gaffney; Molloy.
Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary).
