Cork in danger of becoming draw specialists after letting another lead slip against Drogs 

A Ruairi Keating penalty had the hosts in a winning possession but Kevin Doherty's side fought their way back into it

ICE COOL: Cork’s Ruairi Keating scores a penalty. Pic: INPHO/James Lawlor

CORK CITY 1 DROGHEDA UNITED 1
Becoming hard to beat is the essence of a team’s foundation but newly-promoted Cork City would also prefer to avoid a reputation for being draw specialists.

They’re developing a worrying pattern of dropping points from winning positions, an unwanted tag when the positions are so tight in a 10-team division. Add this concession to the defeat at Waterford and draws against Galway United and Shelbourne.

In front of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ruairi Keating took the leadership role by firing the Rebels ahead from the penalty spot on the half hour but Drogheda were worthy of the point they earned through a fine equaliser by Warren Davis just past the hour. Five goals conceded at home this season is another area for City to rectify for survival hopes.

Yellow cards in each of the opening five matches dished out to Charlie Lyons deprived Cork City of their captain, further testing the depth of Tim Clancy’s squad.

That was reflected by seven of nine substitutes being teenagers, the youngest being recently-turned 16-year-old David Dunne. He’s already got the option of following Jaden Umeh’s path by joining a continental club but appears to be sticking around for a breakthrough with his local side.

One seemingly on his way to the UK in July, Cathal O’Sullivan, had recovered from the knee injury sustained on the opening night to take his place on the bench. City called upon the prodigy for the last half hour but his first involvement actually led to a Drogheda substitute, Luke Heeney, creating the equaliser.

Drogs thought they’d opened the scoring within three minutes. Evidently targeting the hosts’ desire to build up from the back, Davis dashed into the box when Milan Mbeng passed a goalkick towards his goalkeeper.

A moment’s hesitation by Tein Troost allowed Davis to charge the ball down and deflect into the net but he was deemed to have encroached by the officials. This was an occasion City might have been relieved about the absence of VAR here because replays suggested the striker had set off on his run at the precise moment Mbeng first touched the ball.

Drogs were in the mood to revive the form which had them unbeaten until the last time out against Shamrock Rovers. Centre-back James Bolger, back from injury, latched onto a knockdown by fellow centre-back Conor Keely to hook his volley wide.

Troost, too, pushed an effort from Davis around his near post and Freddie Anderson blocked Keeley’s shot but City still posed a threat.

An uncharacteristic miss by Keating after just 90 seconds when Ryan Brennan’s backwards header had gifted him a clear sight didn’t affect him as he broke the deadlock on 22 minutes.

Referee Rob Hennessy was once again responsible for a critical decision when he pointed to the spot.

Aaron Harper-Bailey had the guilty look on his face when Alex Nolan’s right-wing cross struck his arm inside the six-yard box. In conjunction with his assistant, Hennessy felt the arm was in an unnatural position, allowing Keating to convert the rising penalty into the roof of the net despite Luke Dennison diving in the right direction.

Drogs boss Kevin Doherty lost his playmaker Darragh Markey to injury at half-time but Heeney was an able replacement. Before they levelled, Bolger and Thomas Oluwa had gone close but Davis showed excellent control to pocket the goal.

Once Brennan easily dispossessed O’Sullivan, Heeney swapped passes with Farrell on the halfway line and released Davis, who skipped inside Anderson and found the far corner with a low drive.

If one team was to nick it, Drogheda looked the best equipped with a strong finish. Troost stuck out his leg to keep out Heeney’s half-volley with eight minutes left and he was fortunate that Oluwa’s outstretched leg didn’t connect with a ball eight yards out that was baying for one decisive touch.

CORK CITY: T Tein; D Crowley, F Anderson, M Mbeng, B Couto; S Murray, R Shipston; A Nolan, H Skieters (C O’Sullivan 61), K Nelson; R Keating.

DROGHEDA UTD: L Dennison; J Bolger (K Cruise 84), C Keeley, A Harper-Bailey; O Lambe, S Farrell, R Brennan, C Kane; W Davis (S Zishim Bawa 72), D Markey (L Heeney HT), T Oluwa (F Kareem 34).

Referee: R Hennessy (Clare).

Attendance: 4244.