Cork City’s Under 19’s recovered from their heavy defeat to Shamrock Rovers the previous weekend to claim another three league points in a competent performance against Salthill Devon on Saturday afternoon.
Danny Morrissey celebrated his call up to Paul Doolin’s international squad later this month with a typical poacher’s goal on the half hour mark. When a John Kavanagh corner fell kindly to the striker, he lashed the ball into the net from close range which was no more than City deserved after creating all the chances in the opening half where strike partner Rob Lehane also went close with several good efforts.
After the restart, Salthill’s Joe Gaughen came close to an equaliser but David Drinan saved well at his feet from the clever through ball. After weathering the host’s attempts at a comeback, City went on to control the game with Ross McCarthy and John Kavanagh coming close to adding a second before Stephen Kenny eventually sealed the win. Good work from Rob Lehane saw him hold up the ball before releasing to Kenny who took one touch before firing his drive into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the penalty area.
There was still time for Ross McCarthy to hit the bottom of the post with a strike from distance, but this win will restore some confidence after last week’s unsettling defeat at Shamrock Rovers.
The Under 19’s have a break from action next weekend although several are likely to see action for the senior side in the Munster Senior Cup game in Rockmount on Tuesday evening. The following weekend will see them take on either Salthill Devon or Mervue United in the Enda McGuill Cup quarter finals.
Cork City: David Dinan, Andrew Joyce, Alan Anderson, Eoghan Murphy, Darragh Corcoran, Gary Buckley, Ross McCarthy (Chris Dineen), Stephen Kenny (Darren Murphy), John Kavanagh, Rob Lehane (Andrew O’Connell), Danny Morrissey.
Subs not used: Conor Cannon, Liam O’Sullivan, Roy Collins
Salthill Devon: Evan Duffy, Jason Murphy, Andrew Peters, Eoin Walsh, Alex Byrne, Damian Connoughtan, Jason Lyons, Charlie Thorn, Eamonn O’Connell, Colm Horgan, Joe Gaughan.
Referee: Trevor Conlon.
