Cork City Foras Co-op 1 - 1 Derry City

• Alan Smith
• Fri, May 14 2010


Cork City came from behind to earn a credible point against First Division pacesetters Derry City at Turner’s Cross on Friday evening. Stephen Mulcahy's header just before half-time resulted in a share of the spoils in front of 2031 after James McClean had given the away side an early lead.

In an incredibly strange game both goals came in a poor opening period, though the majority of the excitement came in the second half as Cork went in search of a winner which didn’t materialise despite their best efforts.

Tommy Dunne’s men made two changes from their last league outing against Wexford Youths; Dave Rogers was forced to miss out over personal reasons with Eoin Forde coming into the side as Greg O’Halloran moved into the heart of defence.The fit again Uros Hojan returned to the side in place of Dave Warren.

The Candystripes made just one change from last weekend where they beat Monaghan United 1-0, with young Thomas McBride coming in for Darren Cassidy. It was McBride who struck the first attempt within the opening two minutes, his long-range snapshot firing narrowly wide to the right of Mark McNulty’s goal.

It was a scrappy start to proceedings with both teams giving away the ball with ease but the away side grabbed the proverbial bull by its horns with McClean’s 14th minute shot from just outside the area. The ball curled into the bottom left corner with Mark McNulty scrambling.

There were hardly any notable attempts on goal in the first 45, although Patrick McEleney tried to chip the ball over McNulty from long range. The Cork stopper won’t have to make an easier save all season. In saying that, Derry’s back-line didn’t have much to do either as their midfield looked incredibly comfortable.

That was until Cork drew level, somewhat surprisingly, just before the interval. Cathal Lordan swung a threatening free-kick goalwards and Mulcahy climbed high to deftly head over Gerard Doherty into the net to make it 1-1.

Cork didn’t have a shot on target in a dour first-half up until the goal, and ultimately it was down to the lack of support for sole striker Graham Cummins. Tommy Dunne has implemented a strict 4-1-4-1 system in every game so far, but it hasn’t worked well in terms of attacking chances at home in Turner’s Cross of late.

The second half was certainly a different story for the Leesiders however, as they had much better chances in front of goal. McClean shot over soon after the break, though yet again chances didn’t come around too often for the Candystripes.

Cork's best move of the game was instigated by Lordan just before the hour when he cut the Derry defence open with a magnificent through ball to Davin O’Neill. The winger cut in and crossed to Graham Cummins but the club's top scorer hit the side netting with his shot.

The former Waterford United man went close again on 68 minutes when he forced Doherty into a solid stop from a tight angle as Cork upped the tempo. Derry’s Emmet Friars tried his luck 20 minutes before the end, as Duggan also had a decent effort off target in the 71st minute.

Lordan was always the main engineer for the home team and he also curled wide on 74 minutes. In a flurry of chances for Cork, substitute Paul Deasy also had a good opportunity from distance which went narrowly wide. Derry rarely threatened as the game progressed but Kevin Deery blasted over eight minutes from the end 30 yards from goal.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Ian Turner, Stephen Mulcahy, Greg O’Halloran, Uros Hojan; Davin O’Neill (Dave Warren, 90mins), Shane Duggan, Cathal Lordan, Cillian Lordan, Eoin Forde(Paul Deasy, 74mins); Graham Cummins.
Subs not used: Willie Heffernan, Rory Morrissey, Michael Devine.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Mark Scoltock, Mark McChrystal, Emmet Friars; Patrick McEleney (Vincent Sweeney, 80mins), Barry Molloy, Kevin Deery, James McLean; David McDaid, Thomas McBride (Darren Cassidy, 61mins).
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, James Henry, Conor Heraghty.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Cathal Lordan
Referee: C Fitzgerald (Galway)
Attendance: 2031