Cork City’s impressive unbeaten away record came to an end tonight after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Monaghan United.
Tommy Dunne made two changes from last Tuesday night’s side, Graham Kavanagh replacing Stephen Mulcahy due to injury, and Eoghan Lougheed stepping in for John Meade.
The opening stages were even, Alan Byrne forcing a save from Mark McNulty, while Davin O’Neill’s header almost gave City the lead but it went over the bar. Seán Brennan’s effort moments later crept just past the upright, before the host’s eventually took the lead in the 31st minute.
Brennan was again involved, his cross was met by Philly Hughes and he powered his header home to put his side a goal up. He could have grabbed a second moments later, a mix-up between Neal Horgan and Kavanagh let Hughes through but he blazed over from close range.
The Leesiders played their way back into the game after the restart, Shane Barrett almost getting on the end of Billy Woods’ cross, missing the ball by a matter of inches. Graham Cummins had the ball in the net midway through the second half, but the linesman had flagged for offside before he struck for goal. Both sides exchanged long range efforts, but it was Shane Duggan who could have snatched a point for City near the end, his shot flew narrowly off target.
Monaghan United: Sava; McMahon, McNeill, Byrne, Costigan; O’Connor (Bermingham 68), Tierney, McCrossan, Clancy; Hughes, Brennan (Grimes 84).
Subs not used: Donnelly, Hanaphy, McKevitt
Cork City: McNulty; Lougheed (Morrissey 80), O’Halloran, Kavanagh, Horgan; Woods, Duggan, Lordan, O’Neill; Barrett, (Cambridge 70), Cummins.
Subs not used: Piechnik, Turner, Mulcahy.
Referee: Declan Hanney.
