John Caulfield - 'We created chance after chance - that's what Cork City are about this year'

Cork City took another step towards their first Premier Division title in 12 years with a 2-1 victory over relegation threatened Galway United on Friday night.

 

The Rebels headed into Friday night’s game without the services of key men Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor who have joined Preston North End and manager John Caulfield is happy that the transfers have gotten over the line and his team proved themselves without their top scorer.

 

“It’s been a difficult week with everyone talking about our team and the way the lads have moved on,” Caulfield told the media after Friday night’s game.

 

“In the last month things have probably been disruptive really because there was so much hype with the boys moving away and farewells, and farewells and more farewells and we needed to prove that this is a phenomenal team we are never a one-man or two-man team.”

 

The Tribesmen took the lead early in the first half from the boot of Gavan Holohan. Galway are the only team to take points off Cork City after the sides drew in Eamonn Deacy Park earlier this season.

 



Caulfield dismissed any notion that just Galway have raised their game against his side this season.

 

“Every team puts it up to us because we have to be beaten. We’re two thirds of the way through the season and we’ve 22 games unbeaten so every single team wants to be the first team to beat us - this is the way it is.

 

“The fact that they drew with us in Galway is immaterial. We’ve played them three times this year and beaten them twice,” he said.

 



“Our second half we were camped in their half. We were going wave after wave, creating chances.

 

“Buckley got a smashing goal, you had the flick from Sheppard to score, Buckley was desperate unlucky not to score with a great run.

 

“Sheppard missed two sitters at the end, Campion missed a sitter of a header but the thing about it at least is that we created chance after chance and that’s what Cork City are about this year.”

 

Cork City’s goal scorer Garry Buckley was delighted to secure another three points, especially after losing Maguire and O’Connor earlier this month.

 

“We knew that it was going to be tough without them but we have a lot of good players still in the team and a lot of our players can score and we proved it tonight,” he said.

 

“We did well in the second half but we were a bit slack in the first half and that showed, but we were like our old selves in the second half.

 

“Had we played like that in the first we would have blown them away but we’re happy to get the three points and that’s all that matters.

 

“Their goal kind of sucker punched us and kicked us aback but at half time we got in and reorganised a few things and got our goals and in the end we deserved to win the game,” he added.

 

The Rebels host Bohemians on Monday night as they continue their push for a first League title since 2005 (kick-off 7.45pm).