League Report: Sligo Rovers 1 - 2 Cork City

A first half penalty conversion by Kieran Sadlier gave Cork City plenty to think about but second half strikes from substitute Achille Campion and Kevin O’Connor earned the league leaders their 14^th win of the season at a rocking Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers started the game in seventh place, but 23 points behind the visitors. However, for periods Gerard Little’s men looked as if they might to consign the Corkmen to their first defeat of the league season.

Nevertheless, tactical nous by wily Rebels boss John Caulfield and a late fortuitous Kevin O’Connor strike temporarily gives Cork City a 16 point lead at the top of the table.

The home side dominated proceedings in the opening half with Jonah Ayunga and Raffaele Cretaro lively up front. They made the breakthrough from the penalty spot midway through the opening half. Alan Bennett fouled Liam Martin inside the box. Kieran Sadlier, who makes a habit of scoring against Cork City, sent Mark McNulty the wrong way to give Sligo a 1-0 lead.

Cork City were living off scraps and were restricted to some half chances in the opening 45 minutes. The best were a Karl Sheppard shot saved by Micheál Schlingerman and a Seánie Maguire effort deflected for a corner.

Half time arrived with Sligo Rovers full value for their 1-0 lead.

After a bright opening to the second half, City looked to have earned a lifeline with a penalty kick on 55 minutes. Kyle Callan-McFadden fouled Karl Sheppard inside the box but the usually deadly Maguire sent the ball wide from 12 yards out. In fairness to the Kilkenny man he appeared to slip at the vital moment.

It wasn’t Maguire’s greatest outing. Booked in the 20^th minute for a challenge on Kyle McFadden, Maguire spurned some second half chances. But to a man, Cork City grafted hard, particularly after half-time.

John Caulfield’s 61^st minute tactical switch, replacing April Player of the Month Conor McCormack with Achille Campion paid rich dividends. Within three minutes, club captain John Dunleavy raided down the right. The Donegal native’s cross shot found Achille Campion. The former Sligo player tapped the ball over the line to level matters.

On 81 minutes, Kevin O’Connor swung in one of several Cork City corners. The ball eluded everybody and ended up in Schlingerman’s net to give Cork a huge 2-1 win.

Sligo will feel aggrieved and their performance probably deserved at least a point. However, wins like these are what clinch leagues and Cork City march on to meet Shamrock Rovers on Friday, seeking a 16^th match unbeaten in the SSE Airtricity League Premier division.

Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingerman, Gary Boylan, Michael Leahy,  Kyle McFadden, Regan Donelon; Craig Roddan, Chris Kenny, Liam Martin, Kieran Sadlier; Jonah Ayunga (Mikey Place, 64), Raffaele Cretaro (Martin Walsh, 73).

Subs not used: Shaun Patton (GK), John Mahon, Mark Hannon, Jack Keaney.

Booked:. Craig Roddan, Chris Kenny.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Alan Bennett, Ryan Delaney, Kevin O’Connor; Greg Bolger, Conor McCormack (Achille Campion, 61); Jimmy Keohane, Karl Sheppard (Shane Griffin, 86), Stephen Dooley (John Kavanagh 90+3); Seán Maguire.

Subs not used: Alan Smith (GK), Stephen Beattie, Gearóid Morrissey, Connor Ellis. 

Booked: Seán Maguire, Alan Bennett.

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

Attendance: 1,583

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Kieran Sadlier (Sligo Rovers).