Cork City withstand Athlone fightback to keep title bid on track

Cork City raced into a 3-0 first half lead against Athlone but two Peter Grogan goals ensured a nervy finish

A Ruairí Keating brace and one from Hans Mpongo saw Cork City beat Athlone. Pic: Noel Sweeney

SSE Airtricity First Division: Cork City 3 Athlone Town 2 

Another day when Cork City looked way off the pace and still came away with the three points to keep their First Division title bid on track. This one was most certainly far too close for comfort.

The Leesiders enjoyed a perfect start at Turner’s Cross on Monday, leading 2-0 after 12 minutes. While Ruairi Keating’s second increased their advantage to three, when Peter Grogan netted just before half-time, City looked visibly rocked.

They had completely switched off for the goal and seriously struggled in the second half, but Athlone Town’s earlier blunders and failure to score more than once in that latter period ensured they came away with nothing.

The start had been chaotic, City racing clear early amidst the downpour after two calamitous errors from Athlone Town. The first happened inside three minutes, as Jonathan Kehir played it back to goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, who then passed it straight to Darragh Crowley while trying to find Aaron Connolly.

Crowley quickly passed to Cillian Murphy who squared it across the box to an unmarked Keating, and he finished to the open net.

Then, another error from Clarke saw him gift City a throw in, and while Athlone won back possession, it would be coughed up again, this time by Josh Farnham as he gave it straight to Niall O’Keeffe.

O’Keeffe played Hans Mpongo through, and while he still had work to do to find space, his shot deflected off James Crawford and went in after 12 minutes.

The rain grew heavier and with that Athlone found their footing, largely thanks to Gradi Lomboto, who looked their only real threat in the opening spell.

In the 27th minute Lomboto came very close when his effort hit the post, and a minute later he was in again for a chance that was deflected out for a corner. Then, against the run of play, City drove it in for their third goal, Josh Fitzpatrick and Murphy involved in the buildup as Keating finished beautifully into the corner with 32 minutes gone.

Lomboto charged back at the other end to force a huge save from Conor Brann in the 39th minute, and it was a let off for the Leesiders after completely switching off in defence.

City wouldn’t learn from the warning though, and paid the price in the 42nd minute. After a pathetic string of attempted clearances, the ball fell for Lomboto who shot on the half volley. His shot was straight at Brann but the City goalkeeper spilled it, and only Peter Grogan reacted to it; City’s defenders were completely still.

Grogan converted with ease.

It should have kicked City into gear, but they looked even more uncomfortable on the restart. They were dominated across much of the second half.

Connolly threatened in the 47th minute with a free kick attempt that he almost curled in, while Brann was forced to produce a monstrous save from Farnham four minutes later, as the hosts again avoided being punished for switching off at the back.

The visitors eventually got their second goal on the hour mark as an unchallenged Grogan headed home from a corner, and suddenly Athlone were back in it. City, clearly shaken, managed to avoid the concession of a third.

They had a couple of chances themselves. Murphy squared for Keating in the 70th minute but he couldn’t connect, then 12 minutes later Crowley had a deflected effort saved.

And while Athlone continued to pry away, they lacked the quality needed to find an equaliser.

CORK CITY (3-4-1-2): Brann; Lyons (Nevin 53), Kelleher, Feely; Fitzpatrick (Maguire 53), Crowley, O’Keeffe, Drinan; Murphy; Mpongo, Keating.

ATHLONE TOWN (4-2-3-1): Clarke; Farnham (K O’Connor HT), Crawford, E O’Connor, Kehir; McManus, Connolly; Brennan (Tollett 75), Smith (Ferry 69), Lomboto; Grogan.

Referee: M Lynch (Galway)