- Philip Morrissey
- Fri, Apr 21 2023
Philip Morrissey reports from Turner’s Cross
Derry City put aside their poor recent form to get their title bid back on track. Goals from Ronan Boyce in the first half was added to by Michael Duffy and Colm Whelan in the second half.
The return of stars like Duffy and Whelan from injury would have gladdened Higgins as much as the win.
It is a sixth defeat of the season for the home side though. They had the better of the first half, but found themselves trailing at the break.
They went further behind before a last-minute consolation from Tunde Owolabi.
Both managers made three changes. Colin Healy brought back Matt Healy following injury and also brought in Barry Coffey and Ethon Varian. Joe O’Brien-Withmarsh, Kevin Custovic and Daniel Krezic made way.
Ruaidhri Higgins was able to name Michael Duffy in his starting lineup after his injury. He joined Oliver O’Neill and Cian Kavanagh. Ciaran Coll, Jordan McEneff and Jamie McGonigle dropped to the bench.
It was an attacking mindset from the home side from the beginning. Ethon Varian aimed to test the pace of Ronan Boyce down the right hand side as he and Jonas Hakkinen pushed high up the pitch.
Keating did well to win a corner after it seemed he had overrun it which lead to a series of Cork chances. It was worked short to Matt Healy whose shot from outside the area was tipped over by Brian Maher.
The subsequent set-piece was recycled toward the back post and Cian Coleman was denied on this occasion. Keating almost succeeded in running onto a through-ball but was flagged offside.
Gradually Derry began to get back into the game. They won a series of corners on either side and almost went in front. Ben Doherty picked up the ball after his initial cross had been half-cleared. His deep ball was towards Cian Kavanagh at the back post but Jimmy Corcoran managed to get it away in time.
The game was becoming stretched as both sides sought the opening goal. Healy saw his shot blocked at one end before Coleman had to head away a cross to the back post to prevent the away side going in front.
It was a short reprieve though. Michael Duffy swung the corner in, and Ronan Boyce stole ahead of his marker to head past Corcoran. Despite a promising attack at the other end, it was the visitors ahead at the break.
Coffey almost manufactured an equaliser at the start of the second half. He broke down the right before putting in a cross that evaded Cian Murphy. It was half-cleared to Varian, but his shot lacked power.
They also had a tentative shout for a penalty as Varian’s shot appeared to strike a Derry hand. Nothing given though.
Derry went further in front via the returning Duffy. He benefited from neat skills by Doherty who manged to keep the ball in before his low shot went straight into the bottom corner.
Cork almost got one back after a flashpoint involving Keating and Adam O’Reilly. The latter appeared to kick out at the striker but only received a yellow card.
From the free-kick, Maher denied Keating before Coffey was unable to keep his header down.
The referee temporarily halted the game after Maher was struck by missiles from the crowd. A warning was issued of a possible abandonment of the game before it reconvened.
Derry went further in front, and it was slack defending again. O’Neill’s shot was saved by Corcoran, but they were unable to get it away. It came out to the substitute Colm Whelan struck home for his first goal since almost a year out with injury.
A last-minute Tunde Owolabi strike from the left of the area proving a mere consolation.
Boos on the final whistle as the home fans saw another loss. The pressure mounts on Colin Healy as a result of this.
They next travel to Dublin on Friday to take on Shelbourne. Derry welcome St Pat’s to the Ryan McBride Stadium on the same evening.
Cork City: Jimmy Corcoran; Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Josh Honohan; Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey (Tunde Owolabi 75), Matt Healy; Ruairi Keating, Cian Murphy (Daniel Krezic 51), Ethon Varian (Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh 75).
Subs not used: Aaron Mannix, Gordon Walker, John O'Donovan, Albin Winbo, Kevin Custovic, Darragh Crowley.
Booked: Barry Coffey (56), Daniel Krezic (62).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet; Sadou Diallo, Michael Duffy (Ciaran Coll 73), Ryan Graydon (Brandon Kavanagh 84), Adam O'Reilly; Cian Kavanagh (Colm Whelan 73), Oliver O'Neill (Matthew Ward 84).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Will Patching, Jamie McGonigle, Jordan McEneff.
Referee: Robert Harvey.
Attendance: 3307.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael Duffy (Derry City),
