Drogheda United 0 - 1 Cork City

Dave Mooney's twentieth goal of the season ensured Cork City came away from United Park with all three points. Having ended Drogheda's involvement in the League Cup three weeks ago, it would now seem that Cork have killed any faint hopes the Louth side had of winning back-to-back titles.

Alan Mathew's side have now won their last eight domestic games - and Mooney has scored in every one of those games. Add in his front post finish against Haka during the week, and the former Longford and Shamrock Rovers striker has an impressive fourteen goals from his last nine games. It's no wonder that Reading manager Steve Coppell was in attendance.

Both sides took their time to settle, and twenty minutes passed before the large crowd were to see any goalmouth action. Pat Sullivan's back-pass lacked the required weight and, but for the sluggishness of Eamon Zayed, and the bravery of Mick Devine, Drogheda could have found themselves a goal up. Devine rushed from his line and hacked the ball the away to safety.

Cork's first chance followed immediately. Sami Ristila was dispossessed by Darren Murphy, with the young midfielder striding forward and picking out Mooney, who had drifted away to the right into space. Mooney's first touch was just what he needed, but before he could take aim the ball got caught underneath his foot, and the chance was gone.

Ten minutes before the break another chance came Mooney's way. This time he strayed to the left wing, again with time and space. He slinked inside right back Stuart Byrne and confidently hit an early shot towards the far post - it hadn't enough curl on it though and Dan Connor wasn't to be troubled.

Drogheda's only self-created opening of note in the first half came with just three minutes left on the clock. New signing Faz Kuduzovic cleverly made room on the edge of the box, but the Bosnian's shot didn't find its way to goal as it ended up being blocked by one of the many Cork defenders in its way.

In first half injury time Byrne was again exposed. Little Liam Kearney ghosted past him and Ristilla, before swinging in a teasing cross. Connor ventured from his line to cut it out, dropped it, reclaimed it, and was extremely lucky there was no one close enough to profit from his misadventure.

Paul Doolin, who this week was amazingly complaining about the lack of options he has in his squad, made two half time changes. Shaun Williams and John Tambouras were introduced at the expense of Shane Robinson and Ristila. Tambouras slotted in seamlessly at right back, with Byrne moving to left back, but Williams, a player with so much talent and potential, looked somewhat lost and unsure of his role in a narrow three man midfield.

The positional change didn't end Byrne's nightmare. Just before the hour mark, Mooney's quick feet deceived him and referee Hancock showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. If Mooney was feeling the pressure, he certainly didn't show it. He calmly strolled up to the ball and carefully placed it into the bottom left corner.

Cork seemed to momentarily lose their concentration at the back, and Drogheda came close to equalising almost straight from the kick-off. Ollie Cahill, now operating as one of the three central midfielders, got forward on the right and dropped a cross to the back post. Zayed did well to get to it, but stretching and off balance, he sent his header wide of the upright.

That was to be all that Drogheda were able to create on the day - Cork keeper Devine went through the full ninety minutes without having to make a save. Denis Behan could have made it two nil five minutes from the end, but he lost his footing at the crucial moment, with only Connor to beat.

Drogheda United: Dan Connor, Stuart Byrne, Shaun Maher, Graham Gartland, Ollie Cahill; Richie Baker, Shane Robinson (John Tambouras 46), Adam Hughes (Declan O'Brien 73), Sami Ristila (Shaun Williams 46); Fahrudin Kuduzovic, Eamon Zayed.
Subs not used: Jamie Ewings, Guy Bates.

Booked: Byrne, Robinson.

Cork City: Michael Devine; Neal Horgan, Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy, Cathal Lordan, Colin Healy, Liam Kearney; Dave Mooney, Denis Behan.
Subs not used: Mark McNulty, Darragh Ryan, David Mulcahy, David Meyler, Alan O'Connor.

Referee: Damien Hancock.

Attendance: 1,400 (estimate)

Extratime Man of the Match: Darren Murphy (Cork City).