Tim Clancy furious about Cork City penalty call be being waved away
Cork City manager Tim Clancy. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Tim Clancy was left feeling frustrated after Cork City’s long-awaited return to Turner’s Cross ended in a stalemate.
Ireland U17 prospect Kaylem Harnett halted their 100% home record with just his second senior goal and the first City have conceded on Leeside all year.
Another 16-year-old international, Jaden Umeh, had teed up Barry Coffey for an early lead but Clancy rued the rare concession.
“We feel like we’ve dropped points there,” he said. “We were in total control. It’s frustrating because they didn’t open us up at any stage.”
Set pieces looked City’s most likely route for a winner and Clancy was infuriated by referee Marc Lynch waving away a penalty appeal after Cian Coleman was brought down in the box.
“I don’t know when a rule in football has come in that a player doesn’t have to face the ball and can put both arms around the attacking player who’s trying to run at the ball and then just rugby tackle him to the ground. Apparently, that’s ‘two players were at it.’
“Cian is a threat from set pieces and he’s attacking the ball. Ethan Boyle isn’t facing the ball. His number is to the ball and he’s both arms around Cian. No intention of playing the ball or even trying to go for it. Apparently, that’s allowed these days. I was told that’s ‘a bit of both’.
“I’ve watched it back and if you’re not getting penalties for that, I’m not sure what you are going to get penalties for.”
Still, Cobh Ramblers did their neighbours a favour ahead of Friday’s Cork derby by defeating second-placed UCD. Unbeaten in 14, City’s lead at the top increases to eight points.
The Turner’s Cross sod looked in immaculate condition in front of 2,669 fans and held up equally well for its third game in a week following the Munster Youth Cup final and Women’s Premier Division fixture. A new asset for City’s passing play.
Coffey had scored his first goal of the season in the last game before the Cross was closed for a month’s remedial works. He saved his second for its reopening. Umeh brilliantly shielded the ball down the left before pulling it back for Coffey’s sweeping finish into the top corner.
Coleman’s corner threat was clear when he headed across goal but while Umeh and Charlie Lyons ended up in the net, the ball did not, bobbling inches wide.
Another fine move started and finished with Umeh but he could only get glancing contact on the final header.
Clancy felt City began to come short for the ball too often after the half-hour. The penetrating runs and passes in behind dried up. That condensed the field and turned this into a scrappy contest. Wexford could apply pressure and get balls into the box.
In the 43rd minute, they got their reward. Darragh Levingston kept the ball alive from a corner and found Harnett. He ducked inside and flicked his shot high past Brad Wade.
Game on for the second half. Even then, it failed to catch fire. Wexford settled in and sat deep. City were better able to gain territory down the flanks but couldn’t find the final ball.
The eye-catching Cathal O’Sullivan rippled the roof of the net with an audacious dipping effort which whistled just over the crossbar. Umeh twice flicked tricky attempts too high.
Owen Mason clawed a dangerous Evan McLaughlin corner over the top and Coleman couldn’t keep his header on target from the next.
It was one of those days.
B Wade; D Crowley, C Coleman, C Lyons, E McLaughlin; B Coffey, N Brookwell (H Skieters 86); C Bargary (J Fitzpatrick 58), C O’Sullivan, N Wood (S Murray 58); J Umeh.
O Mason; R Webb, C Lennox, C O’Malley (S McHale 72), B Lynch; E Boyle (B McCann 64), K Corbally; D Levingston, K Harnett (M Rowe 60), M Hanratty; T Oluwa (A Dobbs 64).
Referee: M Lynch.
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