Derry City 0-1 Cork City
DARREN DENNEHY PROVED an unlikely hero at the Brandywell as Cork City claimed their first victory of the season courtesy of the defender’s second half header.
It was a much deserved win for John Caulfield’s troops who have made a promising start to the new SSE Airtricty Premier Division season.
Dennehy was a thorn in the side of the Derry defence from set-pieces throughout the 90 minutes and after having an effort cleared off the line in the first half, he made amends with a well-placed header on 53 minutes.
Roddy Collins made two changes to the team which opened the campaign at Shamrock Rovers with Michael Duffy and Shane McEleney making way for Rory Patterson and Patrick McEleney.
New Candystripes signing Jon Paul McGovern watched the game from the stands as the club still await international clearance for the former Celtic Nation midfielder.
Cork City meanwhile, started without the suspended John Dunleavy while Anthony Elding failed a pre-match fitness test, leaving Mark O’Sullivan to roam the frontline on his own.
Danny Ventre’s ambitious long-range effort which was saved comfortably by Mark McNulty was the first shot on target in a tame opening by both sides.
The poor Brandywell pitch certainly wasn’t helping matters but the game sparked into life on the half-hour mark.
A towering header by Darren Dennehy at the back post from a corner was cleared off the line by Barry Molloy as the home fans in attendance breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Derry countered immediately and Patrick McEleney sent Patterson scampering through but his low drive from just inside the penalty area was saved well by the advancing McNulty.
The visitors almost captialised from a clever Colin Healy free-kick on 33 minutes which caught the Derry defence napping but O’Sullivan failed to get that vital touch before Doherty came to claim.
The Candystripes were struggling to contain Cork at set-pieces and the Rebels deservedly took the lead from a free-kick eight minutes after the interval.
Billy Dennehy whipped the ball into the back post where his younger brother Darren was gifted a free header and he guided it into the far corner.
The Cork defence was resolute but the home lot failed to muster up a reponse to that deserved opening goal from Dennehy.
The Rebels were comfortable for much of the second half and were more than happy to sit back and protect their slender advanatge.
Derry did little to threaten McNulty’s goal with Patterson’s wayward strike from distance the Candystripes only notable effort in a disappointing second half display.
DERRY CITY: Doherty, Collins, Byrne, McBride (Jarvis 45), Barry, P McEleney (Duffy 59), Molloy, Ventre, Curran, Stewart (S McEleney 75), Patterson.
CORK CITY: McNulty, Lenihan, D Dennehy, Murray, Kearney (Kavanagh 57); Morrissey, Buckley, Healy, Murphy, B Dennehy (O’Leary 86); O’Sullivan.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Not sure it’s the right call. Surely bod out POC.
Are you mad? Wales almost won the WC in 2011. Would have if this guy wasn’t sent off.
Jason – Wales “would have” won the World Cup if Warburton hadn’t been sent off?!? Ah here…
Can we stop the emotive language – it’s not a snub to BOD or POC – he has to make a call and Warburton has the credentials as have some others.
Is Warburton a guaranteed starter in the back row??
I’d say warburton has it
One young dynamic winner v petulent hackers and stampers.from an undeachieving team of Not exactly a hard choice
The last 2 lions captains have been Irish so it wouldn’t exactly be à snub if an Irishman doesn’t get it. Also on form no Irish player deserves it to be honest. Give it to Warburton and let our lads concentrate on playing rugby.
Gatland covering his ass – doesn’t want to have to choose between POC & BOD – so he will choose Warburton!
POC/BOD will be two key figures on tour , with or without the captaincy warren gatland will be delighted to have two great players playing so well!!! warburton for cpt..