Maguire's hat-trick heroics help City roar back to dramatically beat Kerry
OUT OF REACH: Niall Brookwell, Kerry FC, tries to contain Sean Maguire of Cork City. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
The unbeaten run continues for Cork City. Four second-half goals and an incredible turnaround, spearheaded by hat-trick hero Seani Maguire in front of 5,366 at Turner’s Cross on Easter Monday.
The first half had been hugely frustrating for City. Even with Maguire’s 55th-minute goal back, the hosts were still plagued with the same frustrations. They could not get through that Kerry defence.
Chances came and went, Cillian Murphy had several blocked chances. Bolger had one superbly saved in the 69th minute. Murphy had another go over the bar minutes later.
The atmosphere rose with the tempo. The atmosphere spiked on a couple of occasions, when the home crowd felt City were denied clear-cut penalties. Their calls would be answered at the third shout. In the 78th minute, Darragh Crowley’s cross saw Fiacre Kelleher head at goal, but he was dragged down by Vincent Borden in the process.
Daryl Carolan pointed to the spot, Borden received his second yellow and subsequent marching orders. Maguire made no mistake from the spot.
Nine minutes to go, City back on level terms, Kerry down a man. City kept plugging. Conor Drinan had an 89th-minute chance turned out for a corner. Murphy delivered that corner, and Kelleher posted it to the net and the Shed End erupted. And they’d receive even more joy a minute later. Hans Mpongo slipped by Harry Halwax and squared it for Maguire, who poked to the open net to grab his hat-trick and seal the win in style in the second minute of added time.
It was a statement victory, the Rebel Army are going to be very hard to stop en route to the First Division title.
The fact City didn’t manage to find the net with even one of the countless chances they had in that first half was a shock. That they trailed 2-0 was even more stunning. They had been the better side for much of the opening period, but two errors – one at the beginning and the other at the end of the half – gave Robson’s side plenty of work to do.
With two minutes played Kelleher was caught for an accidental handball and the penalty was awarded. Former City striker Cian Murphy blasted home – then celebrated a little too close to the Shed End for their liking – but Kerry were ahead after three minutes and City were trailing in a game for the first time this season.
After controlling much of that opening act, City had nothing to show for it approaching added time. Three minutes into first-half additional time, Ryan Kelliher found himself with space up front. He cut inside, sent Crowley sliding the other way, and got his shot away.
Kelleher couldn’t stop it, neither could Brann, and Kerry were 2-0 up.
By the interval Robson had seen enough, changes were swiftly made.
Both Ruairí Keating and AJ Bridge, the latter of which was making his first start, were pulled. Greg Bolger and Drinan – both dropped from the draw against Finn Harps – were reintroduced. Both did very well in that second half.
Eventually, City found their opening. Fitzpatrick’s cross found Maguire, and he got to the header ahead of Jonas Häkkinen to get one back for City in the 55th minute. The next goal would be just as hard fought, but once City got the second and Borden saw red, the green wall collapsed.
Brann; Kelleher, Lyons (Nevin 90+1), Feely; Mpongo, Bridge (Bolger HT), Crowley, Fitzpatrick; Murphy; Maguire (Murray 90+3), Keating (Drinan HT).
Halwax; Cooney (O’Connell 52), Häkkinen, Cantwell, Lee; Brookwell, Borden; Murphy, Healy (Perez 90+3), Bargary; Kelliher (Koufie 74).
D Carolan (Louth)
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