Cork City make it six wins on the trot with late goals
Trailing 1-0 and with Dundalk running riot in Donegal, Cork looked like falling seven points behind the champions with only five minutes left.
However, this Cork side look to be made of sterner stuff this season and after Danny Morrissey had levelled the scores in the 85th minute, Browne rose highest to head home Greg Bolger’s free-kick in front of a packed Shed End.
It was a magnificent end to a game that looked to be going to the wrong way for Cork but Browne’s goal could prove so vital at the end of the season.
GOAL FOOTAGE!!! CITY GO AHEAD!! pic.twitter.com/IfUmyO7G5Z
— RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) May 13, 2016
Having recorded their fifth win on the spin at Dalymount Park on Tuesday night, Cork boss John Caulfield named an unchanged side for the first time this season with Gavan Holohan keeping his spot in the middle of the park with Gearoid Morrissey still absent through injury.
Derry came back from a goal down to lead 2-1 in their local derby with Finn Harps before conceding an injury time equaliser at The Brandywell midweek, and boss Kenny Shiels made only one change to that side with Dean Jarvis replacing Patrick McLean. Having inflicted Cork’s only league defeat this season up in The Brandywell in March, and again in the EA Sports Cup 10 days ago at this venue, the visitors travelled the long distance full of confidence. Cork were kept under wraps early on by a solid looking Derry back four. It wasn’t until the 14th minute until they threatened the visitors’ goal when Gavan Holohan scuffed his effort badly wide when teed up by Sean Maguire.
Holohan should have scored with only keeper Gerard Doherty to beat but the chance seemed to ignite the home side and Karl Sheppard should have done better a minute later but had no conviction in his effort from 15 yards following a nice passing move.
The inrushing Maguire was inches away from finishing Sheppard’s low cross midway through the first half as Cork looked impressive.
Despite bossing the first half, it was the visitors who almost broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break when Niclas Vemmelund redirected Barry McNamee’s shot and Mark McNulty pulled off a magnificent reflex save.
Garry Buckley, who scored the winner against Bohemians on Tuesday just after the restart, did well to set up Sheppard a minute after the break but the winger shot narrowly wide from a tight angle. After going close before the break following a corner kick, Vemmelund pounced again in the 55th minute when this time he did find the net as he slid in unopposed to finish Barry McNamee’s corner kick to give the visitors the lead.
McBride’s defensive partner Aaron Barry was also excellent and Caulfield introduced Danny Morrissey and Mark O’Sullivan in quick succession as he looked to break down a rock solid Derry defence.
Maguire should have equalised in the 74th minute but he planted his header the wrong side of the post from another super Kevin O’Connor delivery.
With Doherty untroubled between the sticks, it looked like Derry would hold on for a win but substitute Morrissey stooped low to head home Greg Bolger’s free-kick five minutes from time before Browne pounced to make it six wins from six for Caulfield’s charges.
McNulty, Dunleavy, Bennett, Browne, O’Connor, Beattie (D Morrissey 65), Bolger, G Buckley, Holohan (O’Sullivan 72), Sheppard (Dooley 56), Maguire.
Doherty, Vemmelund, McBride, Barry, Jarvis, Ward (McDermott 80), McCormack, McEneff, McNamee (Boyle 90), Curtis (Daniels 80), Patterson.
D McKeon (Dublin)
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