- Bar OSullivan
- Wed, Jul 02 2008
Dave Mooney was once again the main protagonist as Cork City breezed past an out of sorts Drogheda United and secured their place in the last four of the eircom League Cup. Mooney scored twice to take his recent goal tally to nine in five games. Since losing to a late goal in Dalymount Park against Bohemians, Cork have drawn once and won on six occasions.
Home side Drogheda fielded a strong line up - as strong as their current injury situation allowed. Paul Keegan returned in midfield. With Brian Shelley injured Jason Gavin filled in at right back, while John Tambouras was given a rare chance to impress - he partnered Shaun Maher at centre back. Cork made just one change to the side that defeated UCD on Friday by two goals to nil. Denis Behan came in upfront for the rested John O'Flynn.
Behan tried his luck early on from range, but his volley ended up high and wide. Centre back Dan Murray came close with a header from a corner after ten minutes. Just as they did against UCD, Cork looked full of confidence and were keen to pass the ball around patiently.One such passage of play ended with Colin Healy crossing and Behan getting in front of his marker at the front post - his header went narrowly wide of Jamie Ewings right upright.
Droghedas first opening of the game fell to Sami Ristila - he got his head to a Gavin cross, but it didn't trouble Mick Devine in any way. Very much against the run of play the Louth side then came close to opening the scoring when Ristila smacked a volley off the crossbar. Ollie Cahill had picked him out with a neat pass.
Cork continued to own the game in terms of possession. Joe Gamble, expected to commit his future to the Leesiders in the coming weeks, burst forward midway through the half. The Irish International then fired in a shot from twenty five yards that looked goal bound until it took a late deflection and went out for a corner. It looked merely a matter of time until Cork breached the reigning champions defence and took the lead - and on thirty minutes that's exactly what happened.
Behan received the ball with his back to goal in the semi circle at the edge of box. Although he lost his footing, and looked like he had lost possession also - he managed to poke the ball wide to Mooney. The leagues in-form striker had plenty of time to take a touch, before drilling an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Just before the break Mooney latched on to a ball over the top and was hauled back by Maher just outside the area - however the man in black wasn't interested.
Cork should have doubled their lead two minutes after the restart when Gamble slipped in Liam Kearney. Kearney, under pressure from Gavin, hit it first time with his weaker right foot - but he got underneath it and sent it well over the bar.
Five minutes before the hour mark left back Joe Kendrick saw his shot from inside the box cleared off the line by Cork captain Murray. Murray was then involved at the other end. His powerful header was pushed away by Ewings at the last second.
With just over ten minutes remaining Mooney struck again. The former Longford man was fouled right on the edge of the box by Gavin. Already on a yellow card he could have easily been given his marching orders. Mooneys right footed free kick beat Ewings with the help of a deflection off the wall.
Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Jason Gavin, John Tambouras, Shaun Maher, Joe Kendrick; Adam Hughes, Stuart Byrne, Paul Keegan, Ollie Cahill (Shane Robinson 51); Sami Ristila (Guy Bates 64), Aidan O’Keeffe (Ibrahim Iyane Thiam 83).
Cork City: Michael Devine; Neal Horgan, Dan Murray, Pat Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy, Joe Gamble, Colin Healy, Liam Kearney; Denis Behan (John O’Flynn 90), Dave Mooney.
Referee: Richie Winter.
