League Report: Cork City 3 - 0 Derry City

Cork City had a comprehensive victory over Derry City tonight in Turner’s Cross in front of a crowd of 5,104 spectators.

Cork City opened brightly and had a goal from John O’Flynn after 16 minutes, the forward slotting home Gaynor’s cross and then Karl Sheppard was to get the first of two goals on the night tapping home Darren Dennehy’s header from his brother Billy’s corner on the stroke of half time.

The second half wasn’t as exciting with Karl Sheppard converting a Billy Dennehy cross on 69 minutes as both sides ran down the clock, leaving Cork City unbeaten so far this year after six games.

The home side made one change to the side that defeated Bray Wanderers away last week in the shape of Garry Buckley, while Peter Hutton’s side saw Seanan Clucas introduced into the side in place of the injured Josh Daniels.

The home side started off the brighter of the two of the sides, having the majority of the possession.  They were to have their first chance of the game on six minutes when John Dunleavy was fouled by Seanan Clucas with the midfielder receiving a yellow card. Billy Dennehy’s free to Darren Dennehy at the back post was hit across the six yard box to Alan Bennett but Ryan McBride cleared it for a corner.

Cork City was showing intent with Ross Gaynor’s cross being blocked by Shane McEleney. Back came Derry on the counter attack with McEleney’s cross being headed out for a corner by John Kavanagh.

Gaynor’s next cross was to make the breakthrough. He had a long run down the sideline, gliding past Shaun Kelly before crossing to John O’Flynn to score from close range in front of an adoring “Shed”, to open the scoring. Interestingly, all of O’Flynn’s goals since signing back for City last summer have come against Derry.

Derry were struggling to make any inroads towards the City goal, with a few Patrick McEleney frees going straight to Mark McNulty. Liam Miller nearly had his first goal for Cork City on the half hour mark when his shot from 30 yards brought a great save from Doherty with O’Flynn hitting the rebound into the side netting.

Further shots from Dunleavy and Gaynor followed as Derry struggled to gain any ball in the middle of the pitch despite Philip Lowry’s best efforts. The second goal arrived on the stroke of half time when Billy Dennehy’s corner was headed by brother Darren to Karl Sheppard to tap home.

Patrick McEleney opened the second half shooting over from distance, but really he was the only Derry player to threaten the City defence. At the other end of the field, O’Flynn saw his shot from Dennehy’s cross go narrowly wide while Dennehy then hit the side netting from 14 yards.

On 57 minutes Derry midfielder Lowry saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by McNulty, but the home side then made it three on 69 minutes when Billy Dennehy’s cross to Sheppard was hit in from eight yards.

Morrison headed over the bar from a Patrick McEleney free kick as Derry looked to grab a goal. Patrick McEleney hit the crossbar with a distance shot in injury time but that wasn’t going to change the result as City had a comfortable victory. Both sides had further chances but nothing was going to change the score line as Cork City remained unbeaten this season.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Kavanagh, Alan Bennett, Darren Dennehy, Ross Gaynor; John Dunleavy (c), Liam Miller; Karl Sheppard, Garry Buckley (Gavin Holohan 88), Billy Dennehy (Kieran Djilali 73); John O’Flynn (Danny Morrissey 83).
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien (gk), Dan Murray, Mark O’Sullivan, Rob Lehane.

Bookings: Dunleavy (29).

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Shaun Kelly, Ryan McBride (c), Shane McEleney, Aaron Barry; Mark Timlin (Sean Houston 83), Seanan Clucas (Cillian Morrison 69), Philip Lowry, Barry McNamee; Patrick McEleney; Anthony Elding (Ryan Curran 80).
Subs Not Used: Shaun Patton (gk), Nathan Boyle, Patrick McClean, Seamus Sharkey.

Bookings: Clucas (5), Barry (66), P. McEleney (67), Morrison (81).

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)

Attendance: 5,104

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Liam Miller (Cork City)