Cork City’s slim promotion hopes remain intact after a 1-0 win over second placed Monaghan United this afternoon.
Graham Cummins was once again the hero for the Leesiders, scoring his 18th league goal of the season. Tommy Dunne handed Kalen Spillane his first start for City in the league at centre back, filling in for the injured Greg O’Halloran. George O’Callaghan returned to the starting eleven in place of Gareth Cambridge.
Chances were few and far between in the opening forty five minutes. Davin O’Neill’s header was way off target in the opening few minutes, while Cathal O’Connor failed to trouble Mark McNulty down the other end from a good position.
O’Neill looked to be most likely to open the scoring, making space for a strike on the half hour mark, but he skewed it just wide of the post. The sides went in level at the break, putting an end to the dour opening half.
The second half was more lively, with Cummins finding the back of the net shortly after the restart. O’Neill was the provider, putting City’s number nine one on one with Gabriel Sava, and the Douglas man made no mistake and fired past the Monaghan goalkeeper.
Monaghan were largely anonymous for the remainder, and the introduction of Cambridge for Gearóid Morrissey sparked a barrage of attacks for City. Cambridge himself almost found the back of the net immediately with a speculative chip from distance, and moments later he shot over the bar after O’Neill played him through. Cummins and Shane Barrett were next up to try to their luck, but neither could find the net.
City are now six points outside the play-off spots with just two games remaining, promotion unlikely, but not impossible.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McNulty, Turner, Spillane, Kavanagh, Woods, O’Callaghan, Morrissey, Duggan, O’Neill, Barrett, Cummins.
Substitutions: Cambridge for Morrissey (62mins). Subs not used: Piechnik, Lougheed, Holland, Deasy.
Monaghan United
Starting Line-Up: Sava, Collins, Grimes, McMahon, Gartland, Tierney, O’Connor, Byrne, Brennand, Hughes, Clancy.
Substitutions: Lynch for O’Connor (73mins), Hanaphy for Hughes (81mins), McNeill for McMahon (83mins). Subs not used: Costigan, Quirke.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
Official Attendance: 997.
Photos: Click Here.
