Dunne pleased with eventful victory

For Cork City boss, Tommy Dunne, Friday night’s win over Dundalk was a long and eventful journey to three very valuable league points. 

A cracking opening goal from Davin O’Neill put Cork ahead after just three minutes but the home side were soon mugged by two swift replies from Dundalk. O’Neill then got the game’s fourth goal in 14 minutes to bring the sides level again. It was a game that was as open as the scoring rate suggests, though Cork City established more control in a second half that saw Vinny Sullivan bag a winner amid scenes of biblical rainfall.

While Tommy Dunne appreciated the drama of the evening, he admitted that he could have done with a little bit less of it being generated by his side, particularly in defence.

“It was a great result in the end", he said. “We started the game brilliantly with a great finish from Davin O’Neill from a set-piece, then conceded two goals straight away. In the first half, defensively, we looked all over the place to be truthful, but it was one of those games where ‘you score, we score’, and again, too open.”

“It must be a joy for people coming to Turner’s Cross to watch, because there’s goals going in all over the place, at either end. From our point of view the first half was a mixture. Our attacking display was really good but the defending was really poor.”

The second half was as notable for the weather conditions as it was for the football, though both sides should be commended for continuing to play constructive attacking football despite huge quantities of surface water. 

“The second half we looked a bit more solid as a team and we got the goal (Vinny Sullivan’s winner on 50 minutes) and possibly could have got another one or two. Davin O’Neill was unlucky not to get his hat-trick.”

“I think, every opportunity we got to attack, we did, and we weren’t negative in any way. I think there were good performances again tonight. Davin O’Neill had a great performance, I thought the two lads up front (Vinny Sullivan and Tadhg Purcell) worked their socks off again. In the middle of the pitch we were a little bit indifferent, some good play but maybe switching off at different times. But I thought it was an exciting match, probably too exciting to be truthful.”

“The goals we conceded were bad goals, again. We’ve given ourselves too much work to do where we should be out of sight. But in fairness to Dundalk, at times they had some good attacking play themselves and they’re lively up front. Young Rafter was quite good, and quick, he looks like he’s got himself fit and back playing properly.”

“But overall, that’s another three points, three wins in four games which we’re delighted to get.”

Next up in the League for Cork City is an away trip to St Patrick’s Athletic, opponents that are unlikely to be shy should they come across defensive frailty. It’s likely to be another eventful evening for Tommy Dunne.