Cork City put their disappointing run of home games to an end tonight after a 2-1 victory over Finn Harps at Turner’s Cross.
The City starting eleven was unchanged from the one that suffered defeat to Monaghan a week ago, with Shane Barrett making his home debut. George O’Callaghan took his place on the bench, marking his return to the Leesiders.
Graham Cummins struck the back of the net after just 13 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. Davin O’Neill raced down the right and provided the cross for Cummins, and he fired home from close range out to add another goal to his already impressive goal tally. The away side bounced back and took control of the game again after the goal, with Tony Shields trying his luck from distance, forcing a great save from Mark McNulty.
Greg O’Halloran was City’s saviour shortly before half time. Mark McNulty could only parry a cross into the path of Marc Brolly, and his strike looked like it was headed for the back of the net but O’Halloran provided the important goal line clearance.
After the restart, City doubled their lead. Billy Woods played in Shane Barrett, and he coolly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home to score his second goal for the club.
The Rebel Army’s counter-attacking play made another opening for Cummins, Barrett this time supplying the ball but Cummins could only head wide with a thunderous header.
The Donegal side did pull one back, Marc Brolly getting the goal his performance deserved, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and firing a left-footed drive into the top corner giving McNulty no chance.
George O’Callaghan entered the fray in the last ten mins, and made an immediate impact, playing in Shane Duggan, but the Limerick man’s shot was blocked by Gavin Cullen.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McNulty, O’Halloran, Kavanagh, Horgan, Lougheed, O’Neill, Duggan, Lordan, Woods, Barrett, Cummins.
Substitutions: Turner, Morrissey, O’Callaghan, Piechnik, Cambridge.
Finn Harps
Starting Line-Up: Cullen, Doherty, Crossan, Minnock, Mailey, Funston, McLaughlin, Walsh, Brolly, Sheilds, Bonner.
Substitutes: Whoriskey, Forker, McNenamin, Cowan, Gallagher.
Referee: P.Caschera.
Attendance: 1,469.
FORAS Man of the Match (in association with CorkTrophyCentre.com): Graham Cummins.
