Cork City made it nine points out of nine against Mervue United after a comfortable 2-1 victory at Turner’s Cross.
Manager Tommy Dunne made one change from last week’s win over Athlone. Davin O’Neill dropped to the bench and he was replaced by George O’Callaghan.
Wearing red at home for the first time in years, supporters were treated to a goal-fest in the opening ten minutes. After two minutes, City took the lead. Gareth Cambridge made space for himself down the right after a burst of pace left the Mervue defence helpless. He crosses perfectly for Graham Cummins who made no mistake and volleyed home past Hanley.
Moments later Gavin Kavanagh scored his first goal for the club. Cillian Lordan crossed from the left, Cummins flick on fell to Kavanagh and he fired home from close range. City dominated the first half, and Shane Duggan could have scored a third goal but his volley flew narrowly wide of the post.
More chances arrived for the Leesiders. First Cummins headed over after a great delivery from Ian Turner, and Cambridge was denied by the upright after rounding Hanley but could only strike the post from a tight angle.
Hanley was by far Mervue’s star in the opening forty-five. Cambridge’s clever back-heel put Duggan through on goal, but the Mervue stopper was on hand to pull off a spectacular double save.
The home team looked dangerous again after the restart, Cambridge curling an effort straight at Hanley from the edge of the box. Just before the hour mark, City were forced out of the comfort zone when Shane Duggan saw red for a second booking for simulation.
Dunne promptly changed the system and brought in Gearóid Morrissey and Davin O’Neill, but Mervue were able to claw one back through Barry McEntee.
Davin O’Neill proved a threat down the other end, the substitute had two efforts on goal after excellent counter-attacking play. Again Hanley denied City stretching their lead. The referee blew the whistle as the rain poured down in injury time, giving City all three points.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McNulty, Turner, O’Halloran, Kavanagh, Horgan, O’Callaghan, Lordan, Duggan, Barrett, Cambridge, Cummins.
Substitutes: Morrissey for O’Callaghan (72mins), O’Neill for Cambridge (72mins), Woods for Barrett (90mins). Subs not used: Piechnik, Lougheed.
Mervue United:
Starting Line-Up: Hanley, Crehan, Cunningham, Casserley, Conneely, McEntee, Lee, Gaffney, Collins, Goldbey, Ludden.
Substitutes: Varley for Collins (58mins), Boyle for Lee (69mins). Subs not used: Kenny, Smyth, Gleeson.
Referee: P.Sutton.
Official Attendance: 1,154.
Photos: Click Here.
