SEAN MAGUIRE CAME back to haunt his former club with the only goal of the game as Cork City sent out a massive statement of intent at Oriel Park tonight.
Having finished runners-up to Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for the past two seasons, John Caulfield is aiming to go one better this season and claimed a second win of 2016 over Stephen Kenny after their President’s Cup triumph.
In truth, the Leesiders were second best in terms of possession and chances but Maguire, who made the switch from Dundalk in the close-season, put them ahead from the penalty spot on 69 minutes and it proved to be enough.
There was frantic start to the meeting of the country’s top two sides with a number of heavy challenges in the opening minutes.
The game was seconds old when referee Paul McLaughlin had a big decision to make as Stephen Dooley went in high and left Brian Gartland in a heap on the ground.
Fortunately for the visitors, he was let off with a stern talking to.
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Patrick McEleney was one of just two signings brought in by the Lilywhites as they look to make it three Premier Division titles in a row, and the former Derry City attacker showed excellent skill to create the first chance of the night.
Going past his Kevin O’Connor with ease, he stepped inside before bending a strike towards the far corner. Mark McNulty was equal to the effort and palmed it away.
Ronan Finn let fly on 18 minutes but could only find the side-netting, before Daryl Horgan’s cross was headed just wide by Ciaran Kilduff.
There were whistles of discontent from the 3,528-strong Oriel Park crowd minutes later when play was waved on after Kilduff went down in the box, then Horgan’s shot stung the hands of McNulty while Cork were restricted to half-chances.
Dundalk's Ronan Finn and Steven Beattie of Cork. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Dundalk were forced into a change early in the second half as McEleney pulled up mid-sprint and was replaced by fellow new arrival Robbie Benson.
Cork created a rare opportunity to nick a lead just after the hour mark when Sheppard got down the right hand side and sent a low cross towards Dooley. The winger flicked on for Beattie but Rogers did brilliantly to smother the effort.
And on 69 minutes, they were awarded a penalty from a similar situation in the game’s decisive moment. Sheppard again worked the flanks before attempting to send the ball into the box.
However, it appeared to strike the high arm of Dane Massey. McLaughlin pointed to the spot and Maguire stepped up to fire past Rogers from 12 yards.
Benson and Finn both had shots off target as Dundalk pushed for an equaliser and Kenny brought on David McMillan and Darren Meenan in an attempt to add more fire power but they were met by resolute defending.
Huge win for Cork in the title race as Dundalk old boy Maguire proves the hero
Dundalk 0
Cork City 1
SEAN MAGUIRE CAME back to haunt his former club with the only goal of the game as Cork City sent out a massive statement of intent at Oriel Park tonight.
Having finished runners-up to Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for the past two seasons, John Caulfield is aiming to go one better this season and claimed a second win of 2016 over Stephen Kenny after their President’s Cup triumph.
In truth, the Leesiders were second best in terms of possession and chances but Maguire, who made the switch from Dundalk in the close-season, put them ahead from the penalty spot on 69 minutes and it proved to be enough.
There was frantic start to the meeting of the country’s top two sides with a number of heavy challenges in the opening minutes.
The game was seconds old when referee Paul McLaughlin had a big decision to make as Stephen Dooley went in high and left Brian Gartland in a heap on the ground.
Fortunately for the visitors, he was let off with a stern talking to.
Patrick McEleney was one of just two signings brought in by the Lilywhites as they look to make it three Premier Division titles in a row, and the former Derry City attacker showed excellent skill to create the first chance of the night.
Going past his Kevin O’Connor with ease, he stepped inside before bending a strike towards the far corner. Mark McNulty was equal to the effort and palmed it away.
Ronan Finn let fly on 18 minutes but could only find the side-netting, before Daryl Horgan’s cross was headed just wide by Ciaran Kilduff.
There were whistles of discontent from the 3,528-strong Oriel Park crowd minutes later when play was waved on after Kilduff went down in the box, then Horgan’s shot stung the hands of McNulty while Cork were restricted to half-chances.
Dundalk were forced into a change early in the second half as McEleney pulled up mid-sprint and was replaced by fellow new arrival Robbie Benson.
Cork created a rare opportunity to nick a lead just after the hour mark when Sheppard got down the right hand side and sent a low cross towards Dooley. The winger flicked on for Beattie but Rogers did brilliantly to smother the effort.
And on 69 minutes, they were awarded a penalty from a similar situation in the game’s decisive moment. Sheppard again worked the flanks before attempting to send the ball into the box.
However, it appeared to strike the high arm of Dane Massey. McLaughlin pointed to the spot and Maguire stepped up to fire past Rogers from 12 yards.
Benson and Finn both had shots off target as Dundalk pushed for an equaliser and Kenny brought on David McMillan and Darren Meenan in an attempt to add more fire power but they were met by resolute defending.
DUNDALK: Rogers, Gannon (Meenan 81), Gartland, Boyle, O’Donnell (c), Horgan, Mountney, Finn, McEleney (Benson 53), Massey, Kilduff (McMillan 75).
CORK: McNulty, O’Connell, Dunleavy (c), Browne, Bennett, Bolger, Dooley (Turner 85), Sheppard, Beattie (Healy 79) Maguire (M O’Sullivan 90).
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