Cork City 1-0 Cliftonville

• Alan Smith
• Sat, Aug 29 2009


Cork City made a good start to their defence of the Setanta Cup, with a narrow win over Cliftonville at Turner’s Cross this evening. Joe Gamble’s goal on 37 minutes was enough for the Leesiders, who looked quite comfortable against their Carling Premiership opponents.

The current holders made one change from the narrow win over Drogheda United last weekend, Kevin Long being replaced just before kick-off by Neal Horgan. Cliftonville went into the game on the back of a poor start to the Irish League, with just six points from fifteen. The away side looked particularly weak out wide, with Billy Dennehy in particular tormenting the wing-backs, as Mark McNulty didn’t have much to do throughout the 90 minutes in the Cork goal.

In front of a very small crowd, Ciaran Caldwell forced the first save of the game from and otherwise quiet McNulty in the 5th minute before John Connolly kept the game scoreless with a magnificent stop from Billy Dennehy at the other end. After a flowing move forward involving Faz Kuduzovic and Cillian Lordan ended with the ball at the feet of the unmarked Dennehy, it looked like there would only be one outcome. However, Connolly managed to stretch his leg out far enough to send the ball over his own crossbar.

The next bit of action didn’t come until the 28th minute, as Dennehy went close again by hitting the side netting with his weaker right foot from 10 yards out. Cliftonville then had a half chance on 30, as Mark Holland also hit the side netting from an acute angle.

Joe Gamble then made it 1-0 eight minutes before the break. Davin O’Neill’s cross to the backpost was knocked back by Billy Dennehy, and Gamble then hit the back of the net from close range. The Irish midfielder almost doubled his tally on 42, though his shot from the edge of the area was deflected out for a corner.

Davin O’Neill had an excellent chance to double the lead for Cork in the 52nd minute, but his effort came straight off of the post as Joe Gamble couldn’t get a rebound away quick enough. A minute later, Ciaran Caldwell hit the upright for Cliftonville, their first sign of intent since the early stages of the game.

Some more excellent build-up play from Cillian Lordan resulted in the ball finishing up at the feet of Gareth Cambridge, though his shot was well saved by John Connolly with a half hour remaining. The pace of the game was training like, with Cork having the lion’s share of possession.

Cliftonville may have levelled 20 minutes from time, though Chris Scannell headed narrowly wide after some great play from Mark Holland and George McMullan. Two minutes later, Cillian Lordan almost doubled the advantage with a header which bounced just past the wrong side of the post.

As the minute ticked by, an equaliser looked less likely and Cork looked comfortable spraying the ball around. Billy Dennehy was clear to get a shot away five minutes from time when Faz Kuduzovic found him with acres of space. The winger stuttered though and his effort was eventually blocked. Ryan Catney flashed a shot wide in the final minute and it ended that way, as Cork start from where they left off in this competition last November.

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Danny Murphy, Greg O’Halloran, Dan Murray, Neal Horgan, Joe Gamble, Cillian Lordan, Davin O’Neill, Gareth Cambridge, Fahrudin Kuduzovic, Billy Dennehy Subs: Guntars Silagailis, Dan Connor, Timmy Kiely (Davin O’Neill, 58), Shane Duggan (Gareth Cambridge, 69), Paul Deasy, Stephen O’Donnell

Cliftonville: John Connolly, Ronan Scannell, Ciaran Donaghy, Declan O’Hara, Mark Holland, George McMullan, Chris Scannell, Francise Murphy, Aaron Smyth, Ciaran Caldwell, Ryan Catney Subs: Barry Holland (Ronan Scannell, 69), Paul McKane, Liam Boyce, Ryan Dunlop (Francis Murphy, 80), Mark Clarke (Mark Holland, 80).

Attendance: 1208

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Cillian Lordan was very strong in the middle of the park for the home side.

Referee: Richie Winter