Bohemians 1-0 Cork City

At long last Bohemians’ efforts paid off as Dinny Corcoran’s strike right on the half-time buzzer not only provided them with their first goal of the campaign but also a valuable three points against a once again error ridden Cork City at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

With Bohs starved of a goal since October 8 last season and City unable to keep a clean sheet since the same date, something simply had to give in what may have been considered by the pessimists on both sides as an early relegation six-pointer.

The Gypsies were perhaps a little more desperate than their visitors heading into the game, mainly because they haven’t even scored heading into the sixth weekend of the campaign. But, lining out in a very attack minded 3-4-3, they started strongly, Luke Byrne firing over on two separate occasions in the first and fifth minute respectively, the latter after a lovely through ball from Karl Moore.

Tommy Dunne’s City side reverted back to 4-4-2 after experimenting with 4-3-3 in the draw with Bray seven days previous and it took them 12 minutes to threaten, an inviting cross from Danny Murphy on the left touchline mere inches out of Tadhg Purcell’s reach.

Bohs continued to look stronger in the early exchanges though. Dave Scully headed just wide on 18 minutes, while Keith Ward’s spectacular curler from 25 yards was parried away by Mark McNulty. Cork settled midway through the half, enjoying large spells of possession without ever looking like scoring a goal. Davin O’Neill did roll tamely into the hands of Andy McNulty 10 minutes before the break but there was little else to note from the away side

Bohs finally put the ball in the net three minutes later when Dinny Corcoran headed home a Dave Scully knock-back only for referee Padraig Sutton to give a free out after Scully was judged to have pushed John Dunleavy at the rear-post.

It wasn’t to the liking of the home support and they were once again up in arms two minutes later when Corcoran went to ground after a tussle with Kalen Spillane, though it would have been very unjust on the Leesiders if a penalty had been awarded.

The home fans were, at long last, rewarded in the final minute of the half when yet another defensive blunder in the Cork defence cost the visitors dearly. Owen Heary played a route one ball to Dave Scully and he knocked it on to Corcoran. Dan Murray stumbled and his lack of pace was always going to be shown up against a much quicker Bohs attacker, Corcoran racing clear and slotting home low past Mark McNulty.

Cork showed a little more endeavour at the beginning of the second half, Colin Healy striking right into the palms of Andy McNulty. Yet it was Aaron Callaghan’s men that continued to look the better side. Keith Ward went very close to doubling their advantage when drilling wide after 54 minutes after Corcoran’s initial shot was blocked down.

As the second period wore on, it was quite evident that Cork would finish out the evening the same way they started it: bereft of any attacking threat. Bohemians, who reverted to 4-5-1 – with the two wide men pushing up when in possession - after the break, were still the better team.

However, as the match entered its final 15 minutes, the Leesiders started to improve. Eventually they strung a few passes together after going three at the back as their search for an equaliser turned to desperation. It was fruitless though as everything that made its way into the final third was mopped up by Andy McNulty and the defenders in front of him.

Owen Heary, clearly a figurehead in such an inexperienced squad, led the way with a towering performance on Tadhg Purcell, the City striker’s performance bordering on anonymity at times and it was no surprise that he was hauled off with eight minutes to go.

Cork’s best chance of equalising came from a Shane Duggan blast from 30 yards and though they were handed a lifeline when Dave Scully was handed a harsh red card for a late challenge that had no malice intended on John Dunleavy, the home team closed out the win without many moments of panic.

Bohemians: Andy McNulty; Owen Heary, Dave Mulcahy, Evan McMillan; Derek Pender, Keith Ward (Stephen Traynor 70), Adam Martin, Luke Byrne; Karl Moore (Neil Harney 90), Dinny Corcoran (Davie Byrne 80), Dave Scully.
Subs not used: Craig Sexton, Keith Buckley, Andy Mulligan, Danny Joyce.

Bookings: None.
Sent off: Scully (85).

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Dan Murray, Kalen Spillane (Jamie Murphy 82), Danny Murphy; Colin Healy (Cathal Lordan 75), Gearóid Morrissey, Shane Duggan, Daryl Horgan; Davin O’Neill, Tadhg Purcell (Vinny Sullivan 82).
Subs not used: Ian Turner, Gavin Kavanagh, Shane O’Connor, Kevin Burns.

Booked: Dunleavy (52), Duggan (63).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Attendance: 1,508.

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Dinny Corcoran (Bohemians).