League Report: Cork City 1 - 0 Finn Harps

View photo gallery of the game by David Ribeiro

Philip Morrissey reporting from Turner's Cross

Cathal O’ Sullivan provided yet another example of his talent when his goal separated the Cork City and Finn Harps at Turner's Cross on Friday night. It was a goal that was frankly out of place in a game that was disjointed at times and lacked real action. It puts them closer to automatic promotion back to the Premier Division.

It is a long drive home for the away side, who lacked a real killer punch in front of goal. They struck the post just before the break and forced Wade into a smart save but never really got going. They stay in the play-off picture but are looking over their shoulders.

Both managers made changes ahead of two games in succession. Conor Drinan and Jack Doherty both started in favour of Cian Murphy and Arran Healy, with the home side looking to play with a false nine. Sean Murray was still out with a knock, with his loan spell due to expire soon.

Darren Murphy made four changes from their win against Kerry. Conor Tourish, Stephen Doherty, David Cawley, and Aaron McLaughlin all came into the side. Noe Baba and Gavin McAteer dropped to the bench. They were joined by recent signing Gavin Gilmore. Kevin Jordan and Success Edogun both missed out.

Harps were coming into the game seeking to regain second place. They started brightly too. Both Ryan Rainey and Conor Tourish had decent chances but only managed to put their efforts wide. City were struggling to get to grips with their false nine system and failed to threaten much. Their best chance came a quarter of an hour in when Evan McLaughlin beat his man out on the left before flashing a shot across the box. It struck Malik Dijksteel, who was unable to make proper contact on it before it was cleared away.

There was a loud shout for a penalty after McLaughlin went to ground after seemingly being pushed in the area. The referee decided he had gone down too easily and booked the left-back to the bewilderment of the fans.

Tourish almost put the visitors in front after the half-hour with a header at the back post. A combination of Brad Wade and the post kept him out though.

It was not a half to live long in the memory, with too many misplaced passes and a lack of real penetration. Tourish denied Doherty with a late block to ensure both sides went in level at the break.

It was much more of the same after the break, with precious few chances for either side. Barry Coffey had an opportunity with a header at the back post that was saved easily by Tim Hiemer. The yellow count was racking up for both sides as frustrations grew.

If there was to be a goal, it was likely to be a scrappy effort given the quality of the game. Not so. Cathal O’Sullivan picked up the ball just outside the area with seemingly little danger. He skipped past two players before curling a delightful effort into the top corner for yet another one for his highlights reel. Coffey and Fitzpatrick could have doubled the lead, but both were off target.

The visitors applied pressure as the game approached the finishing stages. Subs Max Johnston and Gavin almost combined for an equaliser when a cross from the former was met at the back post by the latter. Brad Wade stood firm to deny him.

Not even six minutes of injury time could produce a leveller, and the home side notched up another victory. Their 15-point advantage stays the same, but they can now park that for the moment. It is FAI Cup business next Saturday at 5pm when they face each other once more in the first round.