League Report: Dundalk 0 - 3 Cork City

Dundalk were outplayed in the clash of the top two at an underwhelmed Oriel Park on Friday night as Cork City recorded a comprehensive three nil victory to stretch their lead over the current league champions to eighteen points.

John Caulfield’s men almost took the lead in the opening minute as former Lilywhite Sean Maguire drifted across the six yard box but his sweeping effort only troubled the outside of Gary Rogers’ net. It would prove to be merely a matter of time though for the Kilkenny native as he opened the scoring in the twentieth minute following a low right wing cross from Karl Sheppard. Almost a carbon copy of the opening chance as Maguire ghosted ahead of the defence to turn the ball into the net and open the scoring.

The visitors almost doubled their lead following a Kevin O Connor corner shortly after- Delaney’s towering header was kicked off the line by Jamie McGrath. Both teams had a few half chances but nothing to worry either netminder as the majority of the excitement came from the home supporters trying to drive their team forward and seek an equaliser.

The second half began in a similar trend to the first as Sean Maguire let fly from distance but, unlike his very first effort, Rogers flung himself to his right to deflect the ball away from the bottom corner of his net. Stephen Kenny’s troops were buoyed by this reprieve and Niclas Vemmelund’s header was brilliantly saved by Mark Mc Nulty, as the Ballincollig native stretched into his top corner to pluck the ball out of the air. His goal was under threat moments later but McGrath lashed his effort over the bar after Duffy’s free kick was deflected by the Cork defensive wall.

However, his reflexes were called into action a few minutes later as he pushed a thunderous drive from Robbie Benson over the crossbar. The home fans were roused by the effort and were further buoyed by the sight of Stephen O’Donnell entering the fray, the club skipper replacing Chris Shields.

Their roars were quickly muted within two minutes as quick thinking from Johnny Dunleavy down the right hand side saw the right back dink a ball into the Dundalk box which the excellent Maguire converted from close range to double the lead in the seventieth minute.

The final twenty minutes saw Dundalk try and poke holes in the Cork City defence but to no avail. Alan Bennett skippered his side with authority throughout and, in the live wire wingers Dooley, Sheppard and replacement Stephen Beattie they always had an option on the break. It looked like a two goal away victory would be the way the game would end up but the goal hungry Maguire, in front of the watching Martin O Neill and Roy Keane, decided differently as he picked up on a loose pass from Dane Massey, skipped past Rogers and hammered the ball to the net in injury time to seal his hat trick.

A dominant display from Cork City and plenty to ponder for Stephen Kenny as John Caulfield’s men appear to be well on their way to becoming league champions.

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; Chris Shields (Stephen O Donnell 68), Robbie Benson; Michael Duffy (Ciaran Kilduff 74), Patrick Mc Eleney, Jamie Mc Grath (Thomas Stewart 65); David Mc Millan.

Substitutes not used: Gabriel Sava, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Conor Clifford

Cork City: Mark Mc Nulty; Johnny Dunleavy, Alan Bennett, Ryan Delaney, Kevin O Connor; Gearoid Morrissey (Greg Bolger 83), Conor Mc Cormack; Karl Sheppard (Stephen Beattie 80),  Jimmy Keohane, Stephen Dooley (Shane Griffin 76); Sean Maguire.

Substitutes not used: Alan Smith, Achille Campion, Garry Buckley, Connor Ellis

Referee: Paul Mc Laughlin

Attendance: 3,643

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Sean Maguire