- Philip Morrissey
- Fri, Sep 02 2022
A Barry Coffey double in the second half gained Cork City a welcome draw against play-off chasing Longford Town. They extend their lead at the top but it is now three games at home without a win.
Longford will again wonder how this game got away from them. Twice ahead, and dominant in the first half, they were instead left hanging on at the end. They remain three points behind Waterford in fourth.
The home side elected to make six changes from the cup defeat in Derry with only one switch in the Longford side from their win over Wexford as Kian Corbally came in for Darren Clarke.
City came out of the blocks immediately and set to attack down the Longford right flank. James Doona getting past a few players before his shot was blocked out for a corner.
Cian Murphy also able to run onto a through-ball to advance in on goal. He lacked the support, and his cross-cum-shot was easily taken by Luke Dennison. Jordan Adeyemo almost got away at the other end, but he was crowded out.
It was not a surprise when Longford struck for the lead though. They had been enterprising before that, but the goal scorer was a surprise.
A corner routine was played out to the unmarked Dylan Barnett outside the area. He settled himself before curling an excellent shot into the top corner giving David Harrington no chance. The home fans were stunned and the away side on top.
From there, Longford dominated proceedings as the City defence struggled to deal with the roving fullbacks. Kian Corbally almost won the ball from Josh Honohan as the City defender received a loose pass. He was able to recover in time. Adeyemo tried his luck from a full 30 yards which had Harrington scrambling.
Dean McMenemy and Shane Elworthy had attempts as they threatened to run rampant.
The home side was struggling to create chances of their own in this period. The best came when the ball was only half-cleared into the direction of Murphy. He was unable to keep his effort down.
They did almost strike for an equaliser close to half-time as Barry Coffey made a rare foray into the visitor’s box. His shot was parried away by Dennison who was able to recover in time to deny the same player on the follow-up much to the City frustration.
The home side were more on the front foot at the beginning of the second half. Doona had an effort from a Murphy knock down that was gathered by Dennison while Bargary began to see more of the ball on the left flank. The best opportunity came when a corner came all the way to the back-post to the waiting Coffey.
His first-time volley was palmed away by Dennison. These two seemed to be locked in a personal battle at this point.
City then grabbed the equaliser. There were shouts for a penalty as the ball bounced around the area, Cian Coleman smacked the bar in the confusion and Coffey was alive to tap it home. City tails were up but they almost gifted Longford the lead. Adeyemo found himself one-on-one with Harrington after a miscued pass.
He tried to walk around the City netminder but took too long. A combination of Harrington and Coleman blocked him out.
He did not have long to wait for his goal though. Barnett got to the by-line before swinging in an excellent cross. The ex-Galway man was there at the back post to nod it home. City tried to get back into it. Dennison grabbed the ball from a Bargary cross as Murphy was poised to strike.
Ally Gilchrist then had a header ruled out for a seemingly soft foul on the keeper to cut celebrations short.
City equalised with about ten minutes to go as Coffey got his second. It was bundled into his path from another Bargary cross before he smashed it home. Dennison then denied him a hat-trick with a superb save at the back post. Despite chances from both sides in the pouring rain, there were no goals before the final whistle.
Colin Healy expressed his frustration to the referee at the end and received a red card.
Cork extend their lead to eight points over Galway albeit having played one more game. They next face a trip to play-off chasing Waterford at RSC next Friday. Longford do not play again until the 24th. They have a huge game against potential play-off rivals Treaty at home.
Cork City: David Harrington; Ally Gilchrist, Josh Honohan, Kevin O'Connor; Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Cian Coleman, Matt Healy; Louis Britton (Darragh Crowley 46), James Doona (Dylan McGlade 66), Cian Murphy.
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Gordon Walker, Jonas Hakkinen, Uniss Kargbo, Alec Byrne, Matt Srbely, Mark O'Mahony.
Booked: Josh Honohan (35).
Sent off: Colin Healy
Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Michael Barker, Dylan Barnett, Shane Elworthy, Aaron Robinson; Kian Corbally, Mark Hanratty, Michael McDonnell, Dean McMenamy (Brandon McCann 88); Jordan Adeyemo (Darren Clarke 88), Sam Verdon (Eric Molloy 83).
Subs not used: Colm Cox, Ben Lynch, Adam Verdon, Joe Power, Matthew O'Brien, Karl Chambers.
Booked: Brandon McCann (90)
Referee: Gavin Colfer
Attendance: 2,731
extratime.com Player of the Match: Luke Dennison
