- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Apr 06 2024
View David Ribeiro's gallery from the rain soaked game
Philip Morrissey reporting from Turner's Cross
Cork City maintained their 100% home record as they overcame their Cobh Ramblers in Turner's Cross on Friday night.
It was a game that will be remembered mainly for the conditions; the pitch was lashed with rain all evening. Cork boss Tim Clancy will be as pleased with the scoreline as with the professional performance they gave.
It was a dismal experience for the away side, though. They were two down within the opening fifteen minutes and failed to make a meaningful effort in the first half. Their poor form continues, which will concern their manager.
Tim Clancy was able to welcome back Jack Doherty after he missed the draw up in Wexford. He came in ahead of Jaden Umah, who had become the Rebel Army's youngest ever senior scorer in that game.
Cian Bargary moved to left-back in favor of John O’Donovan to accommodate the return of Cathal O’Sullivan. It was the familiar lineup otherwise.
Gary Hunt was forced to make one change. James O’Leary missed out through injury, so the scorer from last weekend, David Bosnjak, started.
Just before kick-off, both sides held a minute's silence with the news of the death of former manager Colin Healy’s wife. It was impeccably adhered to.
Jack Doherty had a good touch as he set up Cathal O’Sullivan for an opportunity that went just wide.
The attacker was not to be denied for long. Cian Murphy played it out wide to Bargary, whose cross was missed by Brendan Frahill in the center, and Doherty swept it home.
Murphy almost made it two moments later, only for Darragh Burke to block his close-range effort.
City looked dangerous with every attack and soon doubled their lead.
Bargary was again the provider as his cutback was rifled home by Barry Coffey.
They had opportunities to extend their lead through Murphy, O’Sullivan, and Doherty as Cobh tried desperately to keep the score down.
The best chance fell to Coffey as he hit the bar from inside the box after good work from Doherty and Bargary.
The rain continued to fall, and conditions to deteriorate. Both sets of players struggled to get any meaningful pattern of play as it became a task to create much of note.
The emphasis was on trying to avoid any serious injuries, which was tough given how much the players were slipping.
Jack Larkin was unfortunate to see his curling effort tipped over by Brad Wade before City broke and Burke had to be strong to deny Coffey.
Substitute Nathan Wood was straight into the action to see his effort blocked by the keeper and the follow-up by Coffey cleared off the line.
The game was put to bed in the last ten minutes. Evan McLaughlin found himself in space in the box to lash the ball past the unlucky Burke.
There were further chances in the closing spell, but both sides appeared to want to get back into the changing rooms.
Cork will next face UCD in Belfield on Friday at 19:45. Cobh takes on Wexford on the same evening at home.
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Cian Bargary (Josh Fitzpatrick 68); Greg Bolger (Oran Crowe 88), Evan McLaughlin, Barry Coffey (Niall Brookwell 88), Cathal O'Sullivan (Nathan Wood 68), Jack Doherty (Jaden Umeh 81), Cian Murphy
Subs not used: Daniel Moynihan, Darragh Crowley
Booked: Evan McLaughlin (37)
Sent off: None
Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Charlie O’ Brien, Brendan Frahill, Dean Larkin, Cian Browne, Jack Larkin (David Eguaibor 82), Dale Holland, Jason Abbott, David Bosnjak (Justin Eguaibor 46), Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Matthew McKevitt (Dan McKay 82)
Subs not used: Cathal O’ Hanlon, Alessandro Desanctis, Dan Ryan, Luka Le Bervet, Glenn Towler.
Booked:
Sent off: None.
Referee: Mark Moynihan
Attendance: 3619
extratime.com Player of the Match: Cian Bargary
