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

Dylan O’Connell reports from Richmond Park

A last-gasp equaliser from Simon Madden secured a point for St. Patrick’s Atheltic as the Saints came from behind to draw 1-1 with Cork City at Richmond Park.

The last-minute goal cancelled out Karl Sheppard’s opener as the Saints, who had trailed for much of the second half, moved within three points of fourth-placed Derry City.

The advantage was with Pats going into the game, having already beaten City on the opening weekend of the season.

And after a last minute equalizer in Turner’s Cross last April, the Saints held the edge over their opponents who had only won six games all season.

This was a huge edge for the Saints, and it showed from the start, as the home side set the pace from the very first minute.

Pats were lively and energetic early on as Chris Forrester and Cian Coleman set the pace. This early domination was fronted by Mikey Drennan, who saw headed chances dip narrowly wide.  

City powered through and faced into another challenge. A clash of heads saw Shane Griffin come off, and City were forced to introduce Daire O’Connor with just 11 minutes played.

The Rebel Army soon found their way. Half-chances from Kevin O’Connor and Conor McCarthy kept Pats honest at the back as John Cotter’s side began to fully tune their attacking rhythm.

City continued to push and nearly caught Pats through the pace of Karl Sheppard on the break. Darting own the wing, Sheppard forced a stretched-arm save from Brendan Clarke and Dave Webster cleared ahead of James Tilley.  

The second half did nothing to deter the energy of Pats. Ian Bermingham was the driving force  from the restart as he whipped it in to an unmarked Jake Walker, who turned a header inches wide.

Cork swapped their traditional 4-2-3-1 into a rigid 4-4-1-1, with Sheppard playing as the central striker  aided by Tilley in behind.

Their movement seemed to outwit the Pats defense, which allowed Colm Horgan to pick out a free Tilley. The ball drifted wide but it was a major opening for City, who were finally showing their full attacking prowess.  

The change made the difference for City as they took the lead on the  53^rd minute. As Pats narrowed in the centre, Garry Buckley found himself free out wide. The midfielder burst down the left flank, to square it for a charging Karl Sheppard to tap in.  

Pats pushed through chances from Ciaran Kelly and Jake Walker but they could not hit the target.  Bermingham, using his wealth of experience, led the Saints on City’s right wing, but Sean McLoughlin and Conor McCarthy swatted away any cross.

The equaliser came for Pats with almost the final kick of the game as, in the fifth minute of stoppage time Drennan headed down to a charging Simon Madden, who volleyed across the face of goal to send the home fans wild.

There was barely anytime for a restart as the referee’s whistle saw Pats move a point closer to Derry City while Cork’s European ambitions are left hanging with the Rebel Army  now seven points off European qualification.

St. Patricks Atheltic: Brendan Clarke; Dave Webster, Ian Birmingham, Kevin Toner, Gary Shaw (Jake Walker 35), Darragh Markey (James Doona 84), Mikey Drennan, Ciaran Kelly, Simon Madden, Chris Forester (Jamie Lennon 73), Cian Coleman.

Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Dean Clarke, Paul Cleary, Kevin Kelly.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan, Sean McLoughlin, Gearoid Morrissey, Conor McCormack, Gary Buckley, Karl Sheppard, Shane Griffin (Daire O’Connor 11), Conor McCarthy, James Tilley (Cian Bargary 90+2), Kevin O’Connor.

Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Darragh Rainsford, Dan Casey, Pierce Philips, Gary Comerford.

Bookings: Sean McLoughlin (17), Conor McCormack (60), Conor McCarthy (73), Karl Sheppard (90+3), Gearóid Morrissey (90+4).

Referee: Ben Connolly.

Attendance: 1,382.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ian Bermingham (St Patrick’s Athletic).