Cork City enjoyed a winning start to pre-season with a win over Cobh Ramblers at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa on Saturday afternoon.
City manager Tommy Dunne included a number of trialists in his side, with four of those starting the game. Anthony Wolfe, who spent last season with Wexford Youths, was joined in the centre of defence by Hungarian Robert Kovacsevics, while Canadian Ryan Gyaki lined up alongside Gearóid Morrissey in central midfield.
Scottish striker Patrick Deane was partnered up front by Vinny Sullivan, who signed for the club on Saturday morning and it was the former Waterford man who scored the game’s opening goal.
City began brightly, with Davin O’Neill going close with an early shot, though at the other end goalkeeper Mark McNulty almost got caught in possession by Ramblers striker John Spillane.
City’s opener came in the 15th minute, as Ian Turner’s cross from a short corner by Timmy Kiely was met by Sullivan rising highest to head home.
Deane should have made it 2-0 soon after but headed over from O’Neill’s cross while the winger himself went close after a good run, his left-footed shot from a narrow angle flashing across goal and wide.
Seven minutes before half-time, Sullivan saw an effort blocked by the legs of Cobh goalkeeper Deasy. From that corner the ball was half-cleared to Morrissey, and his low shot was deflected into the path of O’Neill who had an easy finish.
Shortly before half-time, O’Neill could have had his second and City’s third but his shot again went across the goal.
City sub Rory Morrissey was unlucky in the 72nd minute, his glancing header from a good Alan Carey cross going just wide, but six minutes later defender Wolfe rounded off the scoring as he finished Danny Murphy’s corner to the net.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Ian Turner, Anthony Wolfe, Robert Kovacsevics, Danny Murphy; Timmy Kiely, Ryan Gyaki, Gearoid Morrissey, Davin O’Neill; Vinny Sullivan, Patrick Deane. Subs: Shane Duggan for Gearoid Morrissey, Alan Carey for Sullivan, Simon Holland for O’Neill (all half-time), Sebastian Krawiec for McNulty (61), Rory Morrissey for Deane (65), Kieran Kenneally for Turner (68).
COBH RAMBLERS: Stephen Deasy; Tony Flanagan, Gary Collins, John Meade, Peter Nolan; Pearce Donachie, Emmett O’Hanlon, Shane Spillane, Dave Stack; Jamie Murphy, John Spillane. Subs: Shane Geasley for John Spillane (25, injured), Kyle Downing for Flanagan, Stephen Bruton for Shane Spillane, Kevin McCarthy for Deasy (all half-time), Cian van Wijnen for Stack (56), Conor Meade for Murphy (both 56), Breandan Frahill for John Meade (70), Jason Abbott for O’Hanlon, Ian Mylod for Donachie (both 73).
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 250 (Approx)
Photos: Blinkofaneye.ie
Teamsheet: TEAMSHEET V Cobh Ramblers 290111
