Steely Cork City show stuff of champions in win over St Patrick's Athletic

Cork City 2 St Patrick’s Athletic 0

Chances were few and far between for both sides, the first one coming in the 12th minute when a Kevin Taylor effort was saved by St Pat’s goalkeeper Eric Donnelly.

The Leesiders dominated possession in the first-half but couldn’t make it count as the visitor’s defence, spearheaded by Rory Feeley and Nathan Benson, was alert to a dangerous Cork City frontline. Conditions deteriorated dramatically on the restart and both sides struggled in the wind and rain.

The St Pat’s midfield, anchored by captain Fuad Sule, began to assert their dominance, but Darragh Markey and Steven Kinsella failed to convert two good chances.

The momentum then switched back to City with Daire O’Riordan denied the opening goal by Conor Kane’s fine last-ditch tackle.

Eventually, the City pressure told and they found the net in the 66th minute when man-of-the-match Garan Manley’s corner was headed home by Conor McCarthy.

Cork pressed and pressed for a second and were rewarded in the 85th minute when Chiedozie Ogbene was brought down by Ciaran Kelly in the 85th minute.

Referee Andrew Mullally pointed to the spot and Aaron Drinan made no mistake with a powerful drive into the bottom corner.

CORK CITY: D Coffey; K Taylor, C McCarthy, G Manley, P Phillips; C Coleman (c), A Byrne, D Fernandes, C Ogbene; A Drinan, R Welch.

Subs: D O’Riordan for Welch (52).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: E Donnelly; N Benson, R Feely, C Kelly, C Kane; F Sule; S Elworthy, S Kinsella, D Markey, J Lunney; A Keena.

Subs: T Carey for Benson (55) J Lennon for Markey, W McAdams for Lunney (80).

Referee: Andrew Mullally