- John O'Shea
- Fri, Oct 17 2014
The league title race will have its final day showdown between Dundalk and Cork City, following Cork City’s 1-0 win over Bohemians at Turners Cross on Friday evening. The result was another memorable night in Turner’s Cross during the 2014 season, as John Caulfield’s side continued their simply magnificent year that they are having.
A cross-come-shot from a free kick by Billy Dennehy ensured that the title race will come down to the final day in Oriel Park for a winner takes all clash. John Caulfield’s side, who were looking to take the title race to the final day of the season, headed into the game just a point behind leaders Dundalk and having recorded five league wins in a row.
Turner’s Cross was packed to the rafters well before kickoff, with the Rebel Army making plenty of noise in scenes that have probably not been seen in the Curragh Road venue since that famous night against Derry City in 2005. The attendance of 6,219 was the biggest seen in the 2014 SSE Airtricity League season anywhere in the country.
Bohemians made the trip to Leeside knowing that they were unbeaten in the four games they had played against Cork this season in both the league and the FAI Ford Cup.
Cork City started the game brightly, like a side fully aware of what was required of them on the night. Billy Dennehy was lively in the early stages going forward as City looked for an opening goal.
Bohemians to their credit made the game as competitive as they could, with the Dublin side making attempts to go forward at every opportunity. Near the end of the half, Bohemians had a good spell of possession and the ball fell at the feet of Dinny Corcoran, who was unable to get his shot away just outside the box.
After dropping off from their rapid paced start to the game, City upped the tempo again as the first half neared its conclusion. John O’Flynn shot over following a City free kick on the right hand side.
Colin Healy showed his excellent leadership qualities when he went on a driving run towards the box and set up Mark O Sullivan, who had his shot well saved by Bohemians keeper Dean Delany.
However, there was nothing Delany could do about City’s opening goal which came courtesy of a sensational 50 yard free kick from Billy Dennehy.. What was remarkable about the goal was that it was practically at the half way line and it looked like a cross, but the ball ended up in the top corner of the net to give the Leesiders the lead at the break.
And it was the Tralee man who went very close to putting City 2-0 ahead early in the second half. First, his low curling free kick went just wide and then he shot over after being played in on the left hand side.
Cork really piled on the pressure as the second half commenced, with Caulfield’s charges very keen to kill the game off. Garry Buckley, Dan Murray and John O’Flynn all had chances to double City’s lead, as Cork looked like a side very determined to win a league title. It was a much improved showing overall from City in the second half.
On the hour mark Bohemians were reduced to ten men. Dave Mulcahy saw his second yellow card after a foul on John Kavanagh who looked very impressive all night long.
Cork attacked with a much higher tempo and every time they went forward, they looked like causing the Bohs defenders problems. In the 84th minute Colin Healy nearly scored another memorable goal when his powerful 25 yard pile driver was saved by Delany.
Cork have hung on in there and their persistence has meant that the league title will get the finish that all the neutrals wanted. What a night in prospect next week in Oriel Park.
Cork City: Mark Mc Nulty; John Kavanagh, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, Michael McSweeney; John Dunleavy, Colin Healy; John O’Flynn (Josh O’Shea, 65), Garry Buckley, Billy Dennehy; Mark O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien (gk), Cillian Morrisson, Gavin Kavanagh, Dave O’Leary, Rob Lehane, Liam Kearney.
Bookings: None
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Steven Beattie, Anto Murphy, Dave Mulcahy, Jack Memery; Craig Walsh (Kevin Devanney, 59), Keith Buckley (Adam Evans, 81), Eoin Wearen, Karl Moore; Dinny Corcoran, Jason Byrne (Stephen Best, 81)
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (gk), Ryan McEvoy, Jake Hyland.
Bookings: Dave Mulcahy (49)
Sent Off: Dave Mulcahy (63), Stephen Best (90)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 6,219
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Colin Healy (Cork City)
