League Report: Cork City 1 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic

A 25^th minute strike from Karl Sheppard was enough for Cork City to defeat St. Patrick’s Athletic and claim all three points to move into second place in place of Derry City owing to their defeat to Sligo Rovers. 

The home side bossed proceedings at Turners Cross in front of 2,769 supporters.

City made only one change to the side that defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on Monday with Kenny Browne returning from suspension to take his place in the starting 11 instead of Michael McSweeney who dropped to the bench.

St. Patrick’s Athletic made four changes from the side that lost to Bray Wanderers last week. Pat Jennings started in goal in place of the suspended Brendan Clarke. Darren Dennehy came back into the team in place of Lee Desmond, while Shane McEleney and Dinny Corcoran came into the side in place of Graham Kelly and the injured Christy Fagan.

The opening exchanges were tight with neither side creating many clear cut opportunities and City slightly shading the possession stakes. Both teams had a series of half chances but neither team really threatened the opposition keeper. The highlight of these was Darren Dennehy heading a Conan Byrne corner narrowly over the City cross-bar.

The games opening goal arrived on 25 minutes when Gary Buckley beat Sean Hoare before passing to Sheppard who saw his shot from 14 yards take a deflection off Michael Barker over Pat Jennings outstretched hand, off the post and into the net.

The rain started soon after this but it didn’t appear to affect the flow of the game as both teams kept the ball mainly on the deck.

The home side could have been two up on 35 minutes when Sheppard played in Steven Beattie but the ball was squared to Sean Maguire who mishit the ball from close range and it was cleared by Sean Hoare.

With half time approaching Sheppard played an attacking ball to Maguire who saw his shot half blocked, it fell to Beattie at the back post but his shot sailed wide of Pat Jennings goal.

The second half saw City continue their dominance with Sheppard trying his luck right from the kick off with an attempted lob that sailed narrowly over the bar.

 Minutes later, City midfielder Buckley appeared to have a stone wall penalty denied by referee Derek Tomney when a shot from outside the box appeared to be slapped away by Darren Dennehy.

St. Pat’s introduced Keith Treacy and he gave them an improved attacking outlet but still he could only muster long range shots that never threatened Mark McNulty’s goal.

City on the other hand were looking dangerous on the break with Buckley playing many through balls for Danny Morrissey and Mark O’Sullivan to chase but Jennings was quick off his line to smother the danger.

In the closing stages the visitors attempted a few long balls into the City box but McNulty and his defenders were well able to deal with everything Liam Buckley’s side threw at them and as a result saw out the game to claim the victory.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Kenny Browne, Alan Bennett, Kevin O’Connor; Greg Bolger, Gearóid Morrissey; Steven Beattie (Danny Morrissey 81), Gary Buckley, Karl Sheppard (Colin Healy 90); Sean Maguire (Mark O’Sullivan 74).

Subs not used: Alan Smith, Ian Turner, Michael McSweeney, Stephen Dooley.

Yellow Cards: Dunleavy (17).

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Pat Jennings; Michael Barker, Darren Dennehy, Shane McEleney, Ian Bermingham; David Cawley, Shane McEleney (Graham Kelly 74); Conan Byne (Keith Treacy 61), Mark Timlin; Dinny Corcoran (Jamie McGrath 61).

Subs not used: Ger O’Brien, Lee Desmond, Sam Verdon, Eric Donnelly.

Yellow Cards: Hoare (12), Byrne (41), Darren Dennehy (49), Kelly (88).

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 2,769.

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Gary Buckley (Cork City).