League Report: Cork City 5 - 0 Drogheda United

Four goals in the opening 24 minutes ensured City bounced back from their setback last week to claim three points against a weak Drogheda United. Jimmy Keohane, Sean Maguire and Karl Sheppard (x2) helped City to a comprehensive victory in front of 3,844 fans in Turner’s Cross on Friday night.

The second half saw Maguire score a 51^st minute goal to boost his tally, but overall Drogheda were very poor and will need to improve massively if they want to beat the drop this season.

City made three changes to the team that drew with Galway United last week with Greg Bolger, Alan Bennett and Jimmy Keohane coming into the squad in place of the injured duo Stephen Beattie and Gearóid Morrissey while Conor McCormack sat out this game owing to picking up five yellow cards this season.

Drogheda United lost the last encounter between the sides 4-1 and Pete Mahon made two changes to the team that lined out on that occasion with Adam Wixted and Gavin Brennan starting. The changes occurred owing to Gareth McCaffrey leaving the club and Thomas Byrne out with an injury.

Cork City were determined to put last week’s dropped points behind them and they got off to a super start through a Jimmy Keohane goal. One was expecting the Rebel Army to open the scoring after a superb opening 11 minutes in which Stephen Dooley had a few chances. Keohane scored after a excellent run into the box after receiving a Kevin O’Connor cross before slotting the ball under Stephen McGuinness.

Drogheda were struggling to get out of their half and it was no surprise to see them fall further behind on 20 minutes. Gary Buckley sprayed the ball out wide to Johnny Dunleavy who gave a low cross to the front post that was flicked in by Maguire for his 14^th in all competitions this season.

The visitors had hardly time to catch their breath when City went further ahead through Karl Sheppard. Dunleavy passed the ball to Sheppard and the former Shamrock Rovers man dribbled 30 yards before firing low past McGuinness on 22 min.

Sheppard was to add a fourth City goal and his eighth of the year on 24 minutes with a brilliant chip over McGuinness from 12 yards after a Maguire assist.

Both Maguire and Keohane had further chances but both went narrowly wide as City finished the half much the stronger of the two sides.

Maguire, who was subject to a rumour doing the rounds that he has signed for an English club, scored his 13^th League goal of the season on 61 minutes. Dooley and Maguire had an exchange of passes on the edge of the box before Maguire on the turn fired low into the net.

Maguire, Shane Griffin and Keohane had further chances sail narrowly wide of the goal as City were pressing for a sixth goal. Drogheda on the other hand struggled to get any forward momentum with only a late Sean Thornton shot their only chance of note over the course of the 90 minutes, despite City only playing the final 15 minutes with 10 men owing to Garry Buckley retiring with injury was never under any pressure.

Achille Campion fired a one on one wide on 78 minutes, with Ellis and Maguire both having further attempts saved by McGuinness but there was to be no change to the score line.

City is now 13 points ahead of Dundalk as they look towards Sligo Rovers on Monday night while Drogheda will play Bray Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Johnny Dunleavy, Alan Bennett (Shane Griffin 53), Ryan Delaney, Kevin O’Connor; Greg Bolger, Jimmy Keohane; Karl Sheppard (Connor Ellis 62), Garry Buckley, Stephen Dooley (Achille Campion 66); Sean Maguire.

Subs not used: John Kavanagh, Rimvydas Sadauskas, Alan Smith, Pierce Philips.

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Shane Elworthy (Stephen Dunne 46), Luke Gallagher, Ciaran McGuigan, Conor Kane; Killian Brennan, Richie Purdy (Sean Thornton 41, inj); Adam Wixted, Jake Hyland (Sean Brennan 74), Gavin Brennan; Mark Griffin.

Subs not used: Kevin Farragher, Ryan Coulter, Ryan McEvoy.

Yellow Cards: Hyland (36), Thornton (60), Dunne (73)

Red Cards: None

Referee: Sean Grant

Attendance: 3,844

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Karl Sheppard (Cork City)