- Philip Morrissey
- Sun, Mar 12 2023
A late Sligo Rovers penalty denied Cork City an away win at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
And it was a case of history repeating itself twice in the space of a week for Colin Healy’s men.
Leading by two goals, after efforts from Jonas Hakkinen and Ruairi Keating, Cork were pegged back in second-half injury time.
It was a relief for the home side though. They did not look like the side who had impressed in results so far this season.
A set piece goal gave them hope as they piled on the pressure at the end.
They perhaps deserved a point given their chances in that period but can count themselves lucky with the penalty decision that went their way.
John Russell made two changes from their previous win over St Patrick’s Athletic. One was enforced as Eanna Clancy came in for the suspended John Mahon.
Lukas Browning was declared fit again and he took his place ahead of Niall Morahan. Colin Healy had to deal with injuries picked up in the dramatic 4-4 draw with Shamrock Rovers.
Aaron Bolger deemed not ready to return from his concussion and Gordon Walker only making the bench. Cian Bargary also missed out.
It was the away side who started more on the front foot. Matt Healy showing his confidence by having a shot in the opening moments which was held by Luke McNicholas.
Ruairi Keating then flicked on a throw in from Darragh Crowley into the path of Daniel Krezic. The Swede was adjudged to be just offside though.
The best opportunity for the home side came when Nando Pijnaker played a wonderful sweeping pass out from the back into the direction of Fabrice Hartmann – but City held firm.
But Cork City were threatening in possession and went in front shortly after. Darragh Crowley saw a shot deflected out for a corner after a flick on by Keating.
The set piece was swung over by Healy that Sligo was not able to get away. Cian Coleman saw his header blocked before Keating had a shot cleared off the line.
Jonas Hakkinen was there to head the rebound into the net.
The away side continued to play on the front foot into the second half as substitute Cian Bargary tried his luck from just outside the area.
McNicholas was always behind it though. Sligo were struggling to create much of note as the Rebel Army continued to look composed on the ball and disciplined in defence.
They went further ahead with yet another contender for goal of the month.
Keating saw the ball land at his feet just outside the area. He turned and unleashed a shot in movement and the low drive nestled into the bottom right hand corner before McNicholas had time to react.
He almost replicated it moments later as he stole between the two centre halves and got his shot off. It was tipped away on this occasion.
Sligo almost got a response as Hartmann collected the ball before driving forward. He beat his man and the space opened up for him.
He ignored the calls to pass it to a supporting player and had a shot instead. It whistled just past the post. It fell to Kailin Barlow after a cross was only half-cleared. He was only able to steer his effort past the post.
Almost out of nowhere, Sligo got one back. Barlow swung over a corner which seemed to be hacked clear before it ricocheted off Eanna Clancy and into the net.
The home side spirits were up and they almost got an immediate equaliser. Pijnaker stuck an effort just wide from another Barlow delivery.
And Barlow was at the centre of the action when the Bit O’ Red drew level in injury time.
He collected a pass from Max Mata before going down in the box.
Despite appearing to go down with the barest amount of contact, and possibly outside the area, the referee awarded the penalty.
Mata then slot the ball past Corcoran to salvage a point for the Bit O’ Red.
Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Johan Brannefalk, Éanna Clancy, Reece Hutchinson, Nando Pijnaker; Greg Bolger (Kailin Barlow 46), Lukas Browning, William Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Stefan Radosavljevic (Bogdan Vastsuk 69); Max Mata (Frank Liivak 69).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, James Finnerty, Daniel Lafferty, Niall Morahan, Karl O'Sullivan, David Cawley.
Cork City: Jimmy Corcoran; Kevin Custovic, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Josh Honohan; Cian Coleman, Darragh Crowley (Albin Winbo 55), Matt Healy (Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh 82), Daniel Krezic (Cian Bargary 46), Ethon Varian; Ruairi Keating (Tunde Owolabi 70).
Subs not used: Aaron Mannix, Gordon Walker, John O'Donovan, Barry Coffey, Cian Murphy.
Referee: Arnold Hunter.
Attendance: 3178.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ruairi Keating (Cork City).
