Cork City moved to the top of the first division with a resounding 3-0 win over Mervue United.
An excellent first half performance saw the Leesiders find the back of the net three times, which was more than enough to fend off Mervue.
City got off to a blistering start, and Vinny Sullivan could have opened the scoring in the second minute. Davin O’Neill crossed from the left, but the ball appeared to bobble and Sullivan could only blaze over with the goal at his mercy from about 5 yards out.
Alas, the home side did take the lead moments later. Gearóid Morrissey was the provider, he crossed for Graham Cummins. The City striker’s header was saved by Mervue ‘keeper Eoin Martin, but he fired home the rebound. Martin looked nervous in goal or United, and was almost caught out by Cummins again when he fluffed his clearance but he eventually cleared.
Shane Duggan was next up to try his luck at goal but his shot went wayward from an excellent position. Cummins then had the ball in the net again but he it was ruled for offside, before City scored a second. Duggan played the ball to O’Neill on the left, he hit a tame effort towards Martin, btu the Mervue number one let the ball bounce over his body and it ended up over the line.
Morrissey finished the first half goal rout. Danny Murphy whipped the ball in from the left wing. Sullivan missed his header but the ball dropped kindly to Morrissey and he fired past Martin, effectively ending the game as a contest.
City seemed content with the three goal lead, and seemed to come out after the break with little interest in attacking Mervue’s goal. Cummins did have a glorious chance to score his second of the night but uncharacteristically missed from close range with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Mervue substitutes David O’Brien and Alex Lee forced two excellent saved from Mark McNulty in the dying stages of the game, but other than that they provided very little in terms of attack. Tommy Dunne will be pleased with three goals and a clean sheet as City travel to Limerick on Monday night in the hope of continuing their unbeaten run.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: Mark McNulty; Neal Horgan, Gavin Kavanagh, Kalen Spillane, Danny Murphy; Davin O’Neill, Greg O’Halloran, Shane Duggan, Gearóid Morrissey; Vinny Sullivan,, Graham Cummins.
Substitutions: Vincent Escude-Candau for Sullivan (60mins), Jamie Murphy for Cummins (80mins), Stephen Mulcahy for Duggan (83mins). Subs not used: James McCarthy, Ian Turner, Derek O’Brien
Mervue United:
Starting Line-Up: Eoin Martin; Kevin Crehan, Martin Conneely, James Casserly, Dan Cunningham; Tom King, Noel Varley, 88mins), Marc Ludden, John Mountney; Rory Gaffney, Dave Goldbey .
Substitutions: David O’Brien for Ludden (55mins), Alex Lee for Goldbey (75mins), McEntee for Varley (88mins). Subs not used: TJ Forde, Mike Collins.
Referee: Stuart Templeman (Clare).
Official Attendance: 1206.
Photos: Click Here.
