League Report: Derry City 0 - 2 Cork City

CORK City hang on Dundalk’s coat tails and Derry City are still glancing nervously over their shoulders after a low-key night by the Foyle that saw John Caulfield's Cork take a deserved win.

A relegation battle wasn’t something that Peter Hutton was contemplating in pre-season, but that’s exactly the predicament the Candystripes are in after yet another home defeat.

City again drew a blank on home soil – they’ve scored in just three home games so far this season – on a night when the tumbleweed blew around the Lone Moor Road.

It has been rare to see the old ground so deadpan but, with Hutton’s side just four points above the relegation zone, the natives have long since been restless and are now in a state of extreme worry with the Candystripes now nine games without a win.

Karl Sheppard struck on 58 minutes, delicately tucking home into the bottom corner having taken receipt of a neat through ball from Billy Dennehy.

Cork were much the better side in the second half, but it wasn’t until the 87^th minute that they had the points secured. Aaron Barry was given a straight red card for hauling down Cork sub John O’Flynn in the penalty area and Dennehy stroked the penalty past the reach of Derry goalkeeper Gerard Doherty.

A knowing hush had long since fallen over the Brandywell and these are certainly times of worry for followers of the Maiden City outfit.

They survived an early scare when Sheppard stole in the back of Barry for a seventh-minute chance, but he was denied by Doherty.

Derry been deprived of the goalscoring prowess of Rory Patterson and Michael Duffy from last season when the pair contributed 49 goals – and the blunt edge to the Candystripes’ sword has been very much in evidence this season.

They did have their moments with Ronan Curtis, recently elevated from the club’s promising under-19 team, showing good flashes on the right flank. Shane McEleney might have done better with a header that was too close to Mark McNulty to trouble the Cork goalkeeper and winger Mark Timlin was thwarted by McNulty’s feet soon after.

Cork, the League’s second-placed team, had little to trouble Doherty with in the opening half, but Dennehy twice had the Brandywell hearts in mouths. First, he whizzed just over McNulty’s crossbar from the edge of the box and, four minutes from half-time, the same player curled a free kick narrowly past the upright.

Seven minutes into the second half, an already quiet Brandywell fell to a complete hush when Sheppard was picked out by Dennehy’s superb pass and he kept his cool to roll beyond Doherty.

Patrick McEleney has been strongly linked with a move away from Brandywell this week, with St Patrick’s Athletic said to be among his suitors. Having dismissed those stories in the Derry Journal this week, McEleney insisted that it was up to the Derry players to roll their sleeves up and carve themselves out of trouble.

McEleney shot over with a rare Derry attempt and the home side never really looked like drawing level. If anything, it was Cork who should have struck as sub O’Flynn stroked wide of the mark with a 72^nd minute effort that could have had the win signed and sealed for the Rebels.

O’Flynn was close again on 82 minutes, but he glanced a header beyond the far post, leaving the door ajar for Derry.

Ryan Curran fired wide from 20 yards with the best of the chances.

Hutton’s crew have won just once at home this year and their wretched run continued when Dennehy made no mistake with his penalty.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Shaun Kelly, Aaron Barry, Shane McEleney, Dean Jarvis; Ronan Curtis (Stephen Dooley ’72), Philip Lowry, Barry McNamee, Mark Timlin; Ryan Curran, Patrick McEleney.

Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Seanan Clucas, Josh Daniels, Nathan Boyle, Cillian Morrison, Ciaron Harkin.

Yellow Cards: Kelly (50).

Red Cards: Barry (87).

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Ross Gaynor, Alan Bennett, Darren Dennehy, Kevin O’Connor; Billy Dennehy (Liam Kearney ’90), Dan Murray, Liam Miller, Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard (Rob Lehane ’90); Mark O’Sullivan (John O’Flynn ‘58).

Subs not used: Gavan Holohan, Kevin O’Brien, Danny Morrissey, Michael McSweeney.

Yellow Cards: None.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Billy Dennehy (Cork City).

Attendance: 950.