- John O'Shea
- Mon, May 09 2016
In this Munster Derby clash in Bishopstown, in the SSE Airtricity League U19 Southern Division, it was Cork City who were ran out well deserving winners on the day against Waterford United. It was another message from City to their title rivals, as they kept their 100% record going, having now won seven games out of seven played.
A well taken goal from Aaron Drinan gave Cork the lead and that was followed by second half finishes by Daire O’Riordan and Denzil Fernandes, as Stephen Bermingham’s side continued to keep their very ruthless form going.
On an overall level, it was Cork who had the better of the exchanges, posing more questions in the attacking sense. Waterford though looked solid at the back in the first forty five minutes, before Cork eventually broke them down in the second period.
The Leesiders went close in the 20th minute, when Drinan was unable to steer his header on target, following a free kick from the left by Garan Manley.
Ross Welch also saw his shot saved by Waterford keeper Matthew Sheehan, as it was the home side who overall were having the better of the opening half.
William Cronin was impressing in the opening half for Cork and on the half hour mark, he had a great chance to put his side ahead, but Sheehan produced an excellent save to keep the sides level.
Chiedozie Ogbene showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated and after 35 minutes he went close, as he went on an excellent run through the Waterford defence, but he was unable to keep his shot on target.
City continued to pass the ball around well, with Ogbene picking out Welch before the latter saw his shot saved.
Cork finally found a way through and took the lead in the 49th minute, when Aaron Drinan clinically finished to the bottom left hand corner, after getting free inside the area.
Cronin and Ogbene continued to look impressive and innovative on the ball. On the hour mark, City were left wondering how they were not two ahead, when first Daire O’Riordan’s shot was blocked down before Cronin’s effort was cleared off the line by Waterford’s Tunmise Sobowale.
The way in which his side knocked the ball around must have pleased manager Bermingham, as City got the ball down on the deck and played all afternoon.
Cork doubled their lead with twenty minutes to go. Drinian’s initial shot was well saved, before the rebound fell to O’Riordan, who clinically slotted the ball into the back of the net from inside the penalty area.
Denzil Fernandes was lively when he came on and he would get City’s third goal, finishing from close range following a scramble in the box.
City continued to look for more, but Waterford keeper Sheehan saved well to deny Taylor and Ogbene.
Not only did City come out on top, but they did so playing some very attractive football and they look to be a right force to be reckoned with in the league this season.
While up in Tallaght ,the Cork City u17’s were victorious over Shamrock Rovers 3-1, which also keeps them well in the title hunt. The City goals on the day came courtesy of a Cian Leonard brace and a Cian Murphy finish.
Cork City: David Coffey; Kevin Taylor, Eli Khadi Harrington, Cian Coleman, Garan Manley; Pierce Phillips(Patrick Crowley, 77 ), Daire O’Riordan; William Cronin, Ross Welch(Denzil Fernandes, 67), Chiedozie Ogbene; Aaron Drinan.
Subs Not Used: Conor McCarthy, Connor Ellis, Adam Mylod(gk) , George Gill.
Waterford United: Matthew Sheehan; Sam Sheppard, Dylan Walsh, Roy Butler, Tunmise Sobowale; Dara Keane, Glenn Waters; Fawaz Ishola(Justin Croke , 62), Alan Fitzsimons, Sean Martin(Valdrin Fazliu , 52) ; Eoin Porter.
Subs not used: None
Referee: Jason Mannix
Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: Chiedozie Ogbene(Cork City).
