Cork City let yet another one-goal lead slip tonight after a last minute equaliser by the hosts gave Longford Town a share of the spoils.
Tommy Dunne handed a debut to Eoghan Lougheed, whilst new signings Gareth Cambridge and Mark O’Sullivan started on the bench.
City bossed the opening exchanges and had the majority of the possession, Ian Turner had the first shot on goal but he failed to find the target from distance. Some neat passing moves from the away side resulted in some half chances with Lougheed heading over the bar, before City took the lead through Graham Cummins.
Davin O’Neill latched onto a loose ball in midfield and played in Cummins, the City number 9 then lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper with a spectacular finish. O’Neill himself came agonisingly close to doubling the lead, but his shot struck the upright. Cummins forced a great save from the ‘keeper moments later as City pushed for a second goal.
Shane Duggan headed just wide after a good delivery from Ian Turner, as the Leesider’s went in a goal up at the break.
The home side played their way back into the game after the restart, coming close on a few occasions but City’s defense held up well to keep out any real goal threats. Cummins had a few efforts on goal midway through the second half but he failed to get his second goal of the night. Substitute Mark O’Sullivan proved to be a threat late on, coming close with a header, and also coming within inches of connecting with a cross by Cummins with the goal at his mercy.
Disaster struck for City late on. After a scramble in the box, Longford were awarded a corner, and Peter Hynes fired home the equaliser from close range.
Longford Town
Starting Line-Up: Shanahan, O’Reilly, Ekanem, Deans, Lee, Brady, Salmon, Hyland, McDonagh, Cowan, Roche.
Substitutions: Hynes for Cowan (45mins), Oladele for McDonagh (77mins), Cronin for Roche (88mins).
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McNulty, Turner, Mulcahy, O’Halloran, Meade, O’Neill, Morrisseu, Cillian Lordan, Duggan, Lougheed, Cummins.
Substitutions: O’Sullivan for Morrissey (71mins), Deasy for O’Neill (90mins).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
