League Report: Cork City 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers

Interim boss Liam Buckley finally saw his side record a victory after six consecutive losses. A first-half goal from Ruairi Keating put them ahead in a tense game. Despite a late red card for Matt Healy, they clung on to register their third win.

This is a third straight defeat for John Russell's side, which struggled to perform in this game. They were guilty of allowing City opportunities on the break and did little at the other end. Not even five minutes of injury time or playing against ten men resulted in an equaliser.

Both sides entered the game burdened with suspensions and injuries. Liam Buckley and his team were forced to do without Cian Coleman and Josh Honohan due to red cards in their previous match against Dundalk. Ethan Varian was out due to an injury, and Barry Coffey was only fit for the bench. As replacements, Gordon Walker, Aaron Bolger, John O’Donovan, and Jonas Hakkinen came in.

John Russell made three changes from the disappointing home loss to Shelbourne, welcoming back Niall Morahan, John Mahon, and Kailin Barlow from injuries. They replaced Daniel Lafferty, Lukas Browning, and Bogdan Vastsuk.

The match opened cautiously for both sides as they seemed to get accustomed to unfamiliar formations and teammates. Frank Liivak briefly posed a threat as he tested the City backline down the left. Most of the play occurred between the two midfields in the opening ten minutes.

Cork took the lead through a well-crafted goal. Gordan Walker found Joe O’Brien-Withmarsh, who had made some space between the Sligo midfield and defence. The young midfielder laid an ideal ball for Ruairi Keating, who beat the offside trap before slotting past Luke McNicholas.

This goal sparked both teams from their lull. Nando Pijnaker took a shot across the area which was grabbed by Jimmy Corcoran, Keating and Tunde Owolabi linked up well but couldn't find the final ball, and Liivak saw his shot blocked when he cut in from the left.

The untested backline held firm, with John O’Donovan doing excellently to win the ball in a crowded penalty area as Niall Morahan prepared to shoot. City almost grabbed a second after Owolabi was pulled down on the brink of the penalty area.

Both sides felt the tension as the second half began, with City increasingly dropping deeper in an attempt to catch Sligo on the break. This strategy often resulted in stalemate, as neither side could gain much momentum. Despite efforts from substitutes David Cawley and Fabrice Hartmann, neither really troubled Corcoran.

Cork came back into the game as their front two kept pressuring the away side. Keating drove down the flank to win a corner, which led to O’Brien-Withmarsh's overhead kick being held by Nicholas.

Then, Owolabi cut in from a long ball and saw his shot go just past the post. As the game entered injury time, the tension rose when Healy received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Despite late pressure from Sligo, they couldn't carve out a clear chance, and a late catch by Corcoran was greeted like a goal. The home fans were singing at the end of a challenging streak.

They face the reigning champions Shamrock Rovers at home next Friday at 19:45. Meanwhile, Sligo must regroup for a home game against close rivals Derry City on Saturday, also at 19:45.