- Rory Morrow
- Fri, Apr 26 2024
Second-half strikes from Sean Murray and substitute Jaden Umeh extended Cork City’s unbeaten start whilst condemning Finn Harps to a third successive loss.
Having already cancelled each other out at Finn Park earlier this season, Harps had the first opening. Luke O’Brien’s lofted left-footer found Matty Makinson unmarked, only for the young defender to scoop wide.
With the lively strike pairing of Success Edogun and Sean O’Donnell, Darren Murphy’s men ruffled the league leaders, with captain Cian Coleman and the experienced Greg Bolger both to the fore in defence early on.
Patrick Ferry forced Cork goalkeeper Brad Wade into action with a low drive. The Rebels responded by crafting an attack that ended with Cian Bargary shooting wide.
O’Donnell’s speed then got him beyond Bolger, with Ferry firing the cutback high. Without Jack Doherty, scorer on their last visit here, Cork found clear-cut chances hard to come by.
Ferry, the beating heart of Harps in the first half, continued to impress with his ease on the ball and eye for a pass. Yet neither Tim Heimer nor Wade could claim they had been seriously stretched to preserve their half-time clean sheets.
Neatly encapsulating the first half was a blistering Bolger volley, blocked behind by Makinson. Heimer easily claimed the subsequent corner despite the squinty sunlit conditions.
After the second half picked up where the first left off, the galloping Josh Fitzpatrick won Cork a corner.
From there, it was easy pickings as Charlie Lyons’ left peg located the unmarked Sean Murray at the back post who nodded a monstrous header past Heimer.
The home keeper then performed wonders to keep out Cathal O’Sullivan as Tim Clancy’s side started to turn the screw, searching for a second.
Rallying, Edogun raised the tempo down the other end when a surge powered him past Harry Nevin down the left. Isolated, though, the former Treaty United forward shot wide.
Seventeen minutes from time, the Rebels got the goal they craved.
Noe Baba, midway inside his defensive half, miscued his clearance, only slicing at thin air. That allowed the alert Umeh, on off the bench, to gleefully steal possession before slotting an ice-cool finish beyond the stranded Heimer.
That was pretty much that as City academy graduate Harvey Skieters earned his debut with his side cruising ten points clear of their opponents.
As the sun beat down on Ballybofey, Finn Harps are left contemplating three league losses, no goals during that run and how they can get back on track to prove their barnstorming start wasn’t just a honeymoon patch.
Next, Harps host Treaty United whilst Cork continue on their travels, away at Kerry in Mounthawk Park.
Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Jamie Watson, Matty Makinson, Noe Baba, Luke O’Brien (Chris Lotefa 79), Shane McMonagle, Ryan Rainey (Stephen Doherty 60), Tony McNamee ©, Patrick Ferry (Mark Mbuli 79), Success Edogun, Sean O’Donnell (Max Johnston 86).
Subs not used: Oisin Cooney (gk), Conor Walsh (gk), David Boakye, Adam Duffy.
Booked: Ryan Rainey (24), Mark Mbuli (90+3).
Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin (Darragh Crowley 80), Cian Coleman ©, Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger (Barry Coffey 75), Evan McLaughlin, Cian Bargary, Nathan Wood (Jaden Umeh 58), Sean Murray, Josh Fitzpatrick (Harvey Skieters 80), Cathal O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Aidan Dowling (gk), John O’Donovan, Niall Brookwell, Matthew Murray.
Booked: Greg Bolger (35), Cathal O’Sullivan (55).
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
Attendance: 1,000.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Charlie Lyons (Cork City).
