- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Oct 05 2024
Philip Morrissey reports from Turner's Cross
Cian Coleman helped keep Cork City’s unbeaten home record intact on Friday night at Turner's Cross.
His second-half piledriver rescued a draw for the champions when it looked as if they were going to come up short. Only one home fixture remains before the supporters can start planning for the Premier Division again.
It was a familiar feeling for the visitors. Having gone ahead early on, they created the better chances in a game spoiled by the weather. It was their fourth draw against their Munster rivals this season.
Both managers numerous changes from last weekend. For City, Brad Wade, Cian Bargary, Josh Fitzpatrick, Arran Healy, and Sean Murray all came into the side.
Aidan Dowling, Darragh Crowley, Cathal O’ Sullivan, Greg Bolger, and Evan McLaughlin all made way. For the visitors, Corey Chambers, Lee Lynch, and Steven Healy all came into the starting lineup.
Treaty came closest to becoming only the second side to defeat City in the league this season and started on the front foot. Lee Lynch forced the returning Brad Wade into an early save inside the first two minutes.
A minute later, he succeeded. A repeat version of his 25 yard attempt hit the net for his second goal for the club.
City’s response was an effort from Sean Maguire that Corey Chambers had to palm away. Oisin O’ Reilly then whipped in a cross that was met by the head of Trpimir Vrljicak. He could not keep it down though.
The away side were then dealt a blow as Lynch went down under a challenge and had to come off.
The visitors continued to be the ones more likely to land the next goal. Lee Devitt forced Wade to tip his effort over the bar before the resulting corner was cleared off the line. Devitt then had a header scrape a post just after the half hour.
The best opportunity for the home side came when Chambers palmed away a fierce drive from Malik Dijksteel just before the break. The rain was continuing to lash down making the conditions tough for both sides to play constructive football.
The conditions got no better in the second half, and it took nearly ten minutes for even a half chance of note. Dijksteel was just off target with a shot from the edge of the area.
Both sides made a number of changes as players visibly tired. 15-year-old David Dunne made his first team debut for City as he came on with quarter of a hour left.
He was just on long enough to witness an incredible strike from Cian Coleman to equalise for Cork. Evan McLaughlin’s corner was met by the City skipper who produced a first time volley which flew into the top corner.
The home side went for the win in the remaining time left. Dunne and McLaughlin both had shots that went just over before Chambers had to go off due to injury. His deputy Michael Dike saved from Josh Fitzpatrick to secure a share of the spoils.
The goal of finishing unbeaten at home remains on for Cork. Both sides face teams desperate to secure play-off spots next weekend. City take on Athlone Town away whilst Treaty face UCD at Markets Field.
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Cian Coleman, Matthew Kiernan, Charlie Lyons; Cian Bargary (Cathal O'Sullivan 60), Josh Fitzpatrick, Arran Healy (Greg Bolger 60), Sean Murray (Evan McLaughlin 60); Malik Dijksteel, Ruairí Keating, Sean Maguire.
Subs not used: Aidan Dowling, John O'Donovan, Niall Brookwell, Barry Coffey, Cian Murphy.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers (Michael Dike 85); Richkov Boevi, Evan O'Connor, Oisín O'Reilly; Colin Conroy, Lee Devitt Molloy, Steven Healy, Christopher Horgan, Lee-J Lynch (Nikodem Kozlowski 15); Yousef Mahdy (Mark Walsh 69), Trpimir Vrljicak (David Tarmey 85).
Subs not used: Sean Costelloe, Scott Murphy, Thomas Considine.
Booked: Oisín O'Reilly (29), Lee Devitt Molloy (89), Mark Walsh (90).
Referee: Jason Moore.
Attendance: 1767.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Brad Wade (Cork City).
