Cork City look unstoppable as Keating double fires them past Bray
An early Ruairí Keating goal, followed by a second half strike from a penalty, saw Cork City past Bray. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
Eight consecutive victories, seven clean sheets in a row. Cork City look unstoppable at the moment, and they breezed past Bray Wanderers on Friday evening in front of 1,935 at Turner’s Cross.
A couple of goals from Ruairí Keating won the game. He gave the Leesiders an early lead which they never looked likely to let slip.
The hosts opened the scoring after five minutes, Ruairí Keating punishing Cian Doyle’s stray back pass with a simple finish beyond Jimmy Corcoran, as he curled it in one-on-one at the Bray keeper’s near post.
That early lead put City up but they never really established control in the first half. Ifunanyachi Achara and Alain Kizenga were a constant danger that the hosts were forced to manage.
It was lively still after the goal, both teams showing urgency up front and a little wobble at the back. In the 10th minute, Conor Brann had to race off his line to deny Ifunanyachi Achara, before Fiacre Kelleher needed to be called into action immediately after when Alain Kizenga tried to hit the follow-up, but he made a good block.
Conor Drinan had a chance saved that same minute and Seani Maguire would be denied from a header seven minutes later after Greg Bolger’s delivery, but the pace dropped from there, as City’s defence tightened up considerably, with Donal O’Connor excellent once more.
Bray forced one more good opportunity just before the break, Kizenga passing to Achara before he launched a shot overhead, but Brann reacted well to turn it around for the corner.
On the restart City improved, Keating and Hans Mpongo combining well as the former played an overhead through ball to the Dutchman, but Mpongo couldn’t connect properly with the volleyed effort.
Two minutes later, Keating was tripped by Declan Osagie in the box, and Declan Toland immediately pointed to the spot. The City striker made no mistake in doubling his tally from the penalty, slotting low to the bottom corner to put City 2-0 up.
The game already looked out of sight for the Seagulls, though they threatened again when Achara squared one across the box looking to find Tyreik Sammy, and while the City defence made a mess of the danger, they got away without conceding.
Immediately after, the hosts countered, with Bolger spotting Corcoran off his line and sending a strike deep from halfway, but the Bray ‘keeper raced back in time and made a stunning stop.
Again Bray looked to stir, this time bolstered with their substitutes, but Brann – so assured once more – made a comfortable save from Richard Ferizaj, and again later in the game from Ryan Kelly.
Donal O’Connor showed up well once again, making an excellent slide tackle in the 66th minute to help preserve the clean sheet. He partnered well with Fiacre Kelleher, as City played four at the back with Charlie Lyons out of the team.
Ike Manjor-Georgewill was brought on late for his league debut, and Brann would be called into action once more, making another stunning save in the 94th minute to deny Conor Knight from a free kick.
Brann; O’Keeffe (Manjor-Georgewill 88), Kelleher, O’Connor, Drinan; Bolger (Bridge 88), Crowley; Mpongo, Maguire (Murray HT), Murphy; Keating.
Corcoran; Kizenga, Osagie, Duggan, O’Shea; Sesay (Knight 77), Doyle; Achara, McCormack (Ferizaj 21 inj), Sammy (Kelly 65); Ring (Cheese 77).
D Toland (Westmeath)
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