League Report: Dundalk 2 - 1 Cork City

Dundalk left it late with two goals in added time to complete a stunning comeback, achieving a 2-1 victory against the nine-men of Cork City at Oriel Park.

Goals from Cameron Elliott and skipper Patrick Hoban cancelled out a first-half Babatunde Owolabi goal, sparking wild celebrations by the home faithful.

The Leesiders finished the game with only nine men after Josh Honohan received a second yellow for dragging down Elliott on a Dundalk counter-attack, and Cian Coleman saw a straight red after a dangerous tackle in front of the Dundalk bench.

The game started well for Dundalk when a ball from the left ricocheted into the path of Keith Ward in the Cork City six-yard box, but his toe-poked effort trickled past the near post.

Cork City responded when Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh got onto a loose ball in midfield. The Cork City midfielder found Ruairi Keating down the left, and his pass to Tundae Owolabi set up a shot, which was dealt with comfortably by goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd.

The game hit a rough patch after these early chances, as both teams found it difficult to keep possession of the ball for more than one or two passes.

The breakthrough came in the eighteenth minute, thanks to Cork City striker Babatunde Olowabi.

The ball was headed by Barry Coffey onto Keating, who took a touch and slid the ball through to Owolabi. Cork’s striker touched the ball past the onrushing Shepperd and passed it into an empty net.

Dundalk responded well on their next trip up the pitch, as Archie Davies made good headway, finding Keith Ward to cross the ball in. His cross from the right found Patrick Hoban in the box, but his header went wide under some robust defending from Cork City.

Ryan O’Kane did great work down the right to create a good chance for Dundalk, as he found Alfie Lewis tearing into the box, but his shot was blocked well by the Cork City defense.

Hoban headed onto the bar moments later after getting on the end of more solid play from O’Kane, with the rebound called offside, giving Cork City a reprieve.

The second half was dominated by Dundalk, with good play from their April Player of the Month, Archie Davies, and the energetic O’Kane, but they created very few clear-cut chances.

The crowd expressed their frustration at the amount of time being wasted by Cork City, a tactic that eventually backfired.

Josh Honohan picked up his first yellow with a late tackle on Ryan O’Kane in the 79th minute and was shown his second just seven minutes later for pulling down Cameron Elliott. Honohan was bemused by the decision, as there was contact from both sides.

The referee added on eight minutes of extra time, and in the third of these additional minutes, Dundalk drew level.

Two of Stephen O’Donnell’s substitutions combined to create a brilliant goal, as a ball in from the right by Daniel Kelly was met by Elliott, who scored acrobatically with an overhead kick.

With the Dundalk fans and players energized by the goal and seeking a winner against the ten men of Cork City, ten men became nine.

A wild lunge from Cork City skipper Cian Coleman in front of the Dundalk bench incited both the Dundalk staff and fans, leading to Coleman seeing a straight red. Cork City could have complained, as Coleman did get the ball, but his tackle was wild and out of control.

Dundalk won it in the seventh minute of added time when a ball in from Paul Doyle was flicked on by Darragh Leahy to find Hoban in the box. The Dundalk skipper chested the ball into his path before prodding it past Corcoran and completing an incredible snatch and grab in added time.

Dundalk extended their unbeaten run to six games with this win, and the substitutions from O'Donnell made all the difference. The team will take a lot of confidence in their comeback when they face Derry City away this coming Monday.

For Cork City, this was a disaster. After playing so well for the majority of the game, to come away with no points will be a tough one for the players to take. The Leesiders will also have to contend with a number of suspensions in their next game against Sligo Rovers.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Darragh Leahy, Hayden Muller (Cameron Elliott 66), Wasiri Williams; Alfie Lewis (Paul Doyle 75), Connor Malley, Ryan O'Kane, Rayhaan Tulloch (John Martin 48), Keith Ward (Johannes Yli-Kokko 66); Patrick Hoban.
Subs not used: Mark Byrne, Peter Cherrie, Robbie McCourt, Eoin Kenny.
Booked: Connor Malley (55).
Sent off: None.

Cork City: Jimmy Corcoran; Cian Coleman, Darragh Crowley, Josh Honohan; Barry Coffey, Kevin Custovic, Matt Healy, Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh (Aaron Bolger 75), Ethon Varian (John O'Donovan 67); Ruairi Keating, Tunde Owolabi (Cian Murphy 84).
Subs not used: Gordon Walker, Daniel Krezic, Daniel Moynihan.
Booked: Josh Honohan (79), Aaron Bolger (84), Josh Honohan (86).
Sent off: Josh Honohan (86), Cian Coleman (90).

Referee: Damien MacGraith
Attendance: 2389
extratime.com Player of the Match: Tunde Owolabi