League Report: Derry City 2 - 0 Cork City

A goal in each half from Patrick McEleney and Jordan McEneff gave Derry City their first win of the season. They were clinical when it mattered and forced Cork back for much of the game. They held firm when the pressure came on towards the end.

It was more disappointment for the visitors though. They had enough of chances, especially in the second half, to get something out of the game. They were unable to take those chances and were guilty of lapses at the back. They are now pointless after their two games.

Ruaidhri Higgins made three changes from the side who were denied a win late on at Inchicore. Cameron McJannet and Michael Duffy both picked up injuries in that game and missed out. Adam O’ Reilly was also absent. In their place, Ben Doherty, Oliver O’ Neill and Patrick McEleney came in.

Colin Healy also made three alterations from their defeat to Bohemians. Jonas Hakkinen, Darragh Crowley and Ethon Varion replaced Kevin Custovic, Albin Winbo and Tunde Owolabi.     

The away side had a terrible start when they met in last year’s FAI Cup but nearly had the dream opening this time out. Cian Coleman had a try from distance just after the kick-off. His effort from distance was just off target though.

Tobi Oluwayemi proved his worth at the other end when he saved a fiercely struck shot from Ben Doherty. Darragh Crowley then produced a smart tackle to halt a Derry counter-attack.

The away side were frustrating their hosts but almost gifted them the lead. Jordan McEneff’s pass was dinked through in the direction of Patrick McEleney. A deflection off Ally Gilchrist almost deceived the goalkeeper who was relieved to see it go just past the post.

The pressure was telling though and the home side deservedly went ahead. The returning Patrick McEleney picked the ball up just outside the area and bent the ball past the diving Oluwayemi for the lead. Derry kept up the pressure as Oliver O’ Neill played in Doherty. His effort flew just past the post.

Cork were not seeing much of the possession but almost found a way back into the game. Barry Coffey picked up on a pass into his feet to have a strike from close range. Brian Maher was alive to the danger and managed to smoother it.

There was action at both ends just after the break. Ruairi Keating almost took advantage of a delayed clearance by Maher in the same fashion as his goal last week. The Derryman was just able to get it away where it fell to O’ Neill in space. His attempted cut-back was blocked out for a corner though.

Cork were beginning to see more of the game as it was getting stretched. Josh Honohan jinked his way past Ciaran Coll and put an inviting ball into the box. Coffey managed to get ahead of Shane McEleney but lacked strength on his header.

It was the home side who went further in front though. Jordan McEneff swept home from close range after an excellent cross into the area from Ryan Graydon. It was his second goal of the season.

Cork almost got one back immediately thanks to good link up between their front two. A Keating cross from out wide found his partner, but Ethon Varian’s touch let him down. Another chance arrived after flicked header from Ethon Varian into the path of Keating. Maher denied the striker from close range.

The away side kept on going though. Keating was off-target from a Jonas Hakkinen header into his path before he was taken down just outside the area as he set himself up for a shot from a pass by Coffey. The resulting free kick was blocked out.

Derry almost gifted their visitors a chance via miscommunication between Maher and Doherty. The defender’s back-pass was too strong but he was just about able to get back and hack it off the line. Maher did better moments later when he tipped over a fierce shot from substitute Daniel Krezic.

That late pressure led to nothing though as the home side recorded their first win of the 2023 season. They will be hoping it provides the launchpad for another successful campaign.

It is two defeats from two games for the visitors though who travel home empty handed. It is a massive game next weekend as they travel to last season’s champions Shamrock Rovers for a kick-off at 8pm. Cork will hope to gain their first points when they host UCD.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly, Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney; Ryan Graydon, Patrick McEleney, Jordan McEneff (Cian Kavanagh 75), Oliver O'Neill (Ronan Boyce 86), Will Patching; Jamie McGonigle (Brandon Kavanagh 75).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Conor Barr, Evan McLaughlin, Tiernan McGinty, Liam Mullan, Matthew Ward.
Booked: Jordan McEneff (40), Mark Connolly (60).
Sent off: None.

Cork City: Tobi Oluwayemi; Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Josh Honohan; Cian Bargary, Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey (Tunde Owolabi 80), Darragh Crowley; Ruairi Keating, Ethon Varian (Daniel Krezic 70).
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, John O'Donovan, Gordon Walker, Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh, Albin Winbo, Kevin Custovic, Matt Healy.
Booked: Ally Gilchrist (45), Aaron Bolger (50), Barry Coffey (63).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Damien MacGraith.
Attendance: 3,305
extratime.com Player of the Match: Patrick McEleney