Cork City 2
Drogheda United 1
THERE MIGHT HAVE been some nervy final few minutes in the wake of Drogheda United pressure, but Cork City held on at Turner’s Cross tonight to move level on points with Dundalk at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table.
Having built a lead through captain John Dunleavy and Mark O’Sullivan, City looked certain to take the three points, but an 81st-minute goal from Drogheda sub Declan O’Brien gave the visitors hopes of taking something from the game.
Ultimately, John Caulfield’s side held out to move to 66 points, albeit with a game more played than the Lilywhites, who had been hoping their Louth neighbours would do them a favour.
Dunleavy, who signed a new contract this week, opened the scoring with a sweeping finish from John O’Flynn’s low cross in the 14th minute, and though the home side didn’t look like adding to that tally in the remainder of the first half, neither did Dundalk threaten an equaliser.
Less than two minutes after the restart, John Kavanagh’s clearance was misjudged by Ciarán McGuigan, allowing O’Sullivan to gather possession. He held off Alan McNally well and then finished superbly past Michael Schlingermann.
Further chances came for City but were not taken, but when Drogheda’s Gavin Brennan was red-carded with 14 minutes left, their hopes seemed to disappear. Sub O’Brien reignited their ambitions with a smart finish, but though the Cork defending was frantic at times, the points were theirs.
CORK CITY: McNulty; J Kavanagh, Murray, D Dennehy, Gaynor; O’Leary (McSweeney 86), Dunleavy; O’Flynn (O’Shea 62), Buckley, B Dennehy (Lehane 90); O’Sullivan.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann; Doyle, McNally, McGuigan, Grimes; Brady (Wixted 60), Daly, Holohan (Andrews 85), Maher (O’Brien 67), Walshe; Brennan.
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
Delighted for Carty!
Correct choice in James Ryan. 22years of age and any team in the world would have him starting. So important to us for the future. Congratulations to him.
@David: except saracens who would start itoje and kruis over James all day. Not saying James isn’t top notch but just sometimes the paddies can get carried away. E.g krus and itoje and alun W.J are all ahead of James atm. But he has time on his side!
@Kevin O’brien: you make no argument for what you say so it’s hard to disprove but there’s little evidence to suggest that on form you’re right
@Kevin O’brien: sweet Jesus. I guess this is based on a certain set of games where the first two named locks were victorious?. It’s easy to view all of the above as “ahead” of Ryan when you’re surrounded by massive men who punch holes for, and with you. Imagine what Ryan would have been like against those teams if he had a back row of Saracens and England’s ballast and quality supporting him. At 22 Ryan has a huge level of expectation upon him. AWJ is a legend and has a great all round game, but Itoje and Kruis don’t have Ryan’s skill (although I’d like to see more of it), They’re all great players and any one of them would be a great partner for Ryan on a Lions tour.
@Kevin O’brien: except Saracens didn’t even start Itoje at lock against Leinster.
@Kevin O’brien: nah. I stand by what I say. But hey have a knock you are entitled to your opinion too. All great players.
@Kevin O’brien: no they’d move one of them to 6. James Ryan would be an allblack if he was from there.
Best player in the country by far
Goat of the year
@JMG: Greatest of all time of the year? Or you think he is an actual farm animal?
Nice triggsy
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: finally a decent player from micheals