Cork City edge 10-man Longford Town to move five points clear at the top

Second half goals from Conor Drinan and Darragh Crowley secured the three points.

MATCH WINNERS: Cork City's Conor Drinan and Darragh Crowley. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott.

Sat, 16 May, 2026 - 22:54

Jack McKay

Longford Town 0 Cork City 2

Far from the most convincing road win for the Rebel Army, but Cork City secured the three points as they edged out a Longford Town side that played the majority of this First Division contest at Bishopsgate on Saturday evening with 10 men.

Conor Drinan’s header in the 50th minute was the difference between the teams, City’s second goal came with the last kick of the game, after Longford goalkeeper Kian Moore had come up for a corner as the hosts looked to equalise, but they were hit on the counter in the 96th minute with Darragh Crowley scoring.

The visitors found their way through on the restart, Drinan getting his second goal of the season as he rose to meet Greg Blger’s delivery from a free kick, heading home at the back post.

City kept poking. Maguire had a chance blocked in the 59th minute, while AJ Bridge then picked up the loose ball and squared for Darragh Crowley, whose shot cannoned off the upright.

It wasn’t the only time City hit the woodwork; they would do so again in the 84th minute after a bizarre passage of play.

Osaze Irhue slipped on the edge of his own box, and Matthew Murray intervened to take possession. Murray then tripped – just before unleashing a shot – but Drinan came in for an effort which Kian Moore saved onto the crossbar. The rebound fell straight for Keating who, remarkably, failed to the hit the gaping net from a couple of yards out.

In the interim, though, Longford had been creating chances. Andy Paraschiv had been their brightest spark all evening and was the creator of their best opportunity in the second half when he broke through down the flank and squared for Pharrell Manuel, who set up Dean Williams for the 67th minute blocked shot.

From there City killed the tempo for a spell, holding possession and halting their opponent’s momentum, though Jake Hough tested in the 80th minute with a strike from just outside the box that Brann caught cleanly.

City’s defensive patience would eventually yield a second goal, with the final kick of the game. Cillian Murphy won possession after Longford’s last-ditch corner delivery was cleared, sent Darragh Crowley through, and he finished to the open net with ease.

But it had been a first half that followed much of the same failings that City have faced this season. All of the possession and all of the chances, but no end product.

City’s life had even been made easier when Longford were reduced to 10 men, Sultan Adenekan shown a straight red card for a challenge on Crowley, with only 16 minutes having been played.

But still they struggled to drum up opportunities in that first 45. Josh Fitzpatrick was threatening again down the flank, but struggled with the delivery of the final ball, and was pulled off at the break.

Longford were wasteful with their limited chances, too. And once Drinan’s goal arrived early in the second half, they were left chasing a game they lacked the quality to win.

LONGFORD TOWN (4-2-3-1): Moore; Irhue, Omorehiomwan, McCarthy, Hough; O’Brien, Adenekan; Manuel (Campbell 79), Doran (Ugbesia 79), Paraschiv; Williams (Murtagh 71).

CORK CITY (4-2-3-1): Brann; Nevin, Feely, Kelleher (Lyons 54), Drinan; Crowley, Bolger (Bridge 54); Fizpatrick (Murray HT), Murphy, Mpongo (Keating 54); Maguire (Kiernan 75).

Referee: P Norton.