Shane Duggan was the hero for Cork City tonight as the Leesides came away from Athlone with all three points.
With eight games remaining, City now lie 7 points outside the play-off spot currently occupied by Waterford United.
Tommy Dunne gave Gareth Cambridge his first start since returning to the club in July, and he partnered old Cobh Ramblers team-mate Graham Cummins up front, with Shane Barrett deployed on the left-wing. City had the majority of possession in the opening twenty minutes, and it was Duggan who had the first strike at goal from a free kick. Michael Schlingermann pulled off an excellent save to parry the ball onto the post and out for a corner kick.
The Limerick man scored the only goal of the game just before the half-hour mark. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box and ploughed his way through on goal and slid the ball under Schlingermann.
City pressed further up the pitch after the restart and had two chances through Cambridge and Davin O’Neill but failed to convert. It was then a disastrous ten minutes for Brian McCarthy, first almost heading into his own net only for Schlingermann to save his blushes. McCarthy then hauled down O’Neill as he raced through on goal. His second yellow meant he was dismissed by Jim McKell.
A triple substitution reinvigorated the Athlone attack, Declan O’Brien forced two great saves from Mark McNulty. Substitute George O’Callaghan hit the side netting in the dying stages, but it eventually finished 1-0 to the Rebel Army.
Athlone Town
Starting Line-Up: Schlingermann; Nolan, McCarthy, Breen, Hope; Kenna, Hughes, Fitzgerald, Moloney; O’Brien, Haran.
Substitutions: Skelly for Moloney (52mins), Scullion for Fitzgerald (72mins), Farrell for Haran (78mins). Subs not used: Gaynor, Collins.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McNulty; Turner, O’Halloran, Kavanagh, Horgan; O’Neill, Duggan, Lordan, Barrett; Cambridge, Cummins.
Substitutions: Morrissey for Barrett (80mins), O’Callaghan for Cambridge (80mins), Subs not used: Piechnik, Lougheed, Keneally.
Referee:Jim McKell.
