League Report: Cork City 1 - 1 Bohemians
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Mark O’Sullivan had a late goal controversially disallowed at Turner’s Cross as Cork City drew 1-1 with Bohemians in horrendous weather in front of 3,711 soaking supporters on Friday night.
Unbeaten City remain league leaders on goal difference with a game in hand on the chasing pack after Billy Dennehy’s 53rd minute penalty was cancelled out by a Jason Byrne equaliser three minutes later.
O’Sullivan thought he had sealed all three points in injury time when he poked the ball through the legs of Bohemians goalkeeper Lee Murphy but referee Neil Doyle ruled out the goal for a foul on the ‘keeper.
City boss John Caulfield made two changes to the side that beat UCD 1-0 on Monday with former Irish international Colin Healy making a welcome return to centre midfield with Liam Kearney coming in on the left flank.
Owen Heary made just one change to his side that lost 2-0 to Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park as veteran striker Byrne started up front.
4-5-1 was the chosen formation for both managers with Byrne the lone striker for Bohemians and O’Sullivan, who scored the winner against UCD, on point for Cork.
Bohemians started the game playing directly into a strong wind as the rain teemed down but, despite the inclement weather, both sides persevered with their efforts to play good football which was by no means easy on the rain sodden pitch.
The Gypsies had the first shot on target in the ninth minute when captain Dave Mulcahy’s shot was easily saved by City keeper Mark McNulty.
The first real chance fell to City’s in-form winger Dennehy but he was unable to convert Kearney’s cross from the left in the 18th minute.
Three minutes later Gearóid Morrissey had a shot on target for City but Lee Murphy was equal to the effort.
Craig Walsh had a shot saved by McNulty midway through the half but, despite the threat of Byrne and winger Paddy Kavanagh, the visitors were unable to create many chances of note in an uneventful first period.
The conditions worsened as the half progressed and Neil Doyle’s half-time whistle came right on 45 minutes with the referee just as keen as the players to seek some shelter.
City emerged for the second half in a change of kit and the second period proved much livelier. The visitors really should have led in the 47th minute when Ryan McEvoy blazed a golden opportunity over the bar from well inside the City box.
Then Steven Beattie, forward from right-back, shot wide at the near post when, perhaps, he should have passed.
City hit the front with Dennehy’s sixth league goal of the season in the 53rd minute as he sent Murphy the wrong way from the penalty spot after O’Sullivan was needlessly felled by Derek Pender in the area.
Bohemians responded brilliantly and were level just three minutes later as Kavanagh’s cross to the far post was headed into the bottom corner by Byrne as the veteran striker moved a goal closer to Brendan Bradley’s League of Ireland record.
The equaliser really spurred the Gypsies on and they were inches from taking the lead when Byrne nearly turned the ball home after McEvoy’s low cross from the left with McNulty just about managing to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Kevin Devaney’s curling shot zipped just wide in the 82nd minute before the substitute’s shot crashed against the crossbar in injury time as Bohs pressed for a winner.
Neither side were settling for the draw and O’Sullivan thought he had snatched the win for City at the death when he poked home after Murphy dropped Rob Lehane’s cross from the right but the goal was ruled out and the game ended in a deserved draw.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Kavanagh (Iarfhlaith Davoren 65), Dan Murray, John Dunleavy (c), Brian Lenihan; Billy Dennehy, Colin Healy, Gearoid Morrissey, Garry Buckley (Dave O’Leary 80), Liam Kearney (Rob Lehane 71); Mark O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Matt Gledhill (gk), Anthony Elding, Andy O’Connell, Ian Turner.
Booked: Kearney (68), Dunleavy (71).
Bohemians: Lee Murphy; Steven Beattie, Aidan Price (Dan Byrne 64), Robert Lopes, Derek Pender; Paddy Kavanagh, Dave Mulcahy (c), Ryan McEvoy, Craig Walsh (Kevin Devaney 82), Karl Moore; Jason Byrne.
Subs not used: Dean Delany (gk), Jake Hyland, Stephen Traynor, Darragh Reynor, Keith Buckley.
Booked: Moore (42), Beattie (90).
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 3,711
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paddy Kavanagh (Bohemians)
