Cork City 3
St Patrick’s Athletic 1
CORK MOVED TO within five points of Premier Division leaders Dundalk — albeit with a game more played — after they proved too strong for St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross tonight.
Leading 2-0 at half-time, John Caulfield’s side moved further ahead in the second half before Morgan Langley pulled one back for the visitors, who had surrendered their FAI Cup crown at the same venue 10 days previously.
Despite being without the injured Liam Miller and suspended pair Dan Murray and Steven Beattie, City got to the pitch of the game early and Mark O’Sullivan drew a save from Brendan Clarke inside the first minute. Garry Buckley twice tested the goalkeeper while Kevin O’Connor had a header well kept out, but the Pat’s resistance broke in the 22nd minute.
After a City corner, the ball was played back out to Billy Dennehy on the wing and, when Clarke couldn’t claim his delivery, captain Alan Bennett was on hand to convert from close range.
The second goal arrived six minutes later, when Mark O’Sulliven received a throw from Michael McSweeney on the right and worked his way in towards goal. While he might have shot himself, he elected to leave the opportunity to O’Connor, who blasted home for his first goal for the club.
Ian Bermingham and James Chambers did have half-chances for Pat’s before the break without ever really threatening to score, but they should have had a goal upon the restart as Jamie McGrath’s shot was stopped from going in by his team-mate Lee Desmond.
On 59, City were three to the good as Darren Dennehy, back from injury, headed a Garry Buckley corner in at the far post, but Langley did give Pat’s some hope when he made the most of Ger O’Brien’s cross in the 65th mintute.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Michael McSweeney, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, Ross Gaynor; Colin Healy (Liam Kearney half-time), Kevin O’Connor (Cian Coleman 90); Billy Dennehy (John O’Flynn 82), Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard; Mark O’Sullivan.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke; Ger O’Brien, Jason McGuinness, Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne; James Chambers, Shane McEleney (Greg Bolger 42), Sam Verdon (Darragh Markey 75), Morgan Langley; Jamie McGrath.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
A travesty if Herring not on the bench after what he has done do consistently for so long which is to close out games and score a fair share of match winning tries too.
@Haddock: For sure Herring will be very disappointed if not picked on the bench, but I think it’s a bit dramatic to call it a travesty. If all hookers are good to go, then herring is certainly 3rd choice. Just unlucky to be behind 2 top class hookers!
@Haddock: I wonder does he understand afrikaans, he could be very useful?
@Mark Murphy: well let’s see. If all three match fit and battle hardened perhaps, but to go with one undercooked as back up ? Not sure we need to take that risk just yet
@brian o’leary: good shout. He might even be starting then
@Haddock: if that’s a reference to Sheehan, Dan doesn’t do undercooked, he’s one of those players like Sexton, that can come back at 100%
@SPQH: if that’s true, then he starts. End of. RK better scrummager when we need it later with Kilcoyne.
@SPQH: bullshit from a leinstrr fanboy.
Porter sheehan furlong ryan beirne o mahony jvf dorris park sexton lowe ringeose aki hansen kennan
@Sèan: Kelleher might start, Sheehan bench. Also Murray might start with Gibson-Park on bench.
@Ray Ridge: just saw pigs flying i agree with you for once
@Sèan: This is a very worrying development!!
@Sèan: what about leaving one of our big turnover kings, Beirne or POM on the bench, until their big replacements come on and we need a fresh dog in at the breakdown. Also with Sexton likely coming off at that point would be nice to have POM coming on. He did great off the bench in 2022. But I could see the benefit of having the 2 on from the start too. I’m glad I don’t pick the team.
@Sèan: Murray starts we loose
@Ray Ridge: that is my preference too but not sure it will happen
@Noel Roe: most likely the team i said will be picked im allways right
@Sèan: lol
Ireland to win by 5 points
All the posts re hooker rightly point out than Dan is our #1 in that slot. However, from a bench perspective, you have to look at combinations. Barring an injury, the scheduled substitution of the front row is almost a combination decision. Although Faz will try to get as many minutes out of the props – Porter in particular- we’re talking a 15-20min appearance for the full bench front row. Herring might be a better scrum option with Kilcoyne and Bealham for that stage of the game, if it was a wrestle. Sheehan excels in the high speed link plays – the question is whether the time for that is earlier in a fast start, or later against a tiring defence using Ireland’s greater conditioning. Faz will have worked this out and also factor this into his 19&20. He will get it right.
H
@hugh o faolain: very true
@hugh o faolain: I disagree, I think G
@Tony Metcalfe: that’s a preposterous take
@hugh o faolain: thats easy for you to say
Strong line up
Three more sleeps should be a cracker let’s hope all our expectations are right….
No recognised cover at the back of the scrum?
@brian o’leary: Baird.
@brian o’leary: Beirne has played at 8, POM last week at 8. Not a problem in terms of coverage and if necessary JVDF at 8, who has also played there.
@Con Cussed: agree. And Aki can play 6 if needed. He did it last weekend
After reading many articles about it, I cannot understand that why SA decided to use 7-1 bench system. Etzebeth’s injury is not very good? Colisi is not in perfect situation, so he can play within 60 min? Snyman has potential injury?
Anyway their 6,7,8 is very strong, maybe Doris will be OK,but JVDF will be ? in rainy condition. If Beirne is 6, he will win over Siya. How AF and POCponder about it.
I want to see that there is Hedreson for 4 (fit to low temparature), Ryan for 5, Beirne at 6, O’mahony at 7, Doris at 8.
And I’m worried Lowe’s light or careless play. His kick has been not effective as before.
@ciaran oconnor: Google translate letting U down there Ivan, sorry Ciarán