Cork City 2 - 1 Bohemians

A virtuoso performance from Daryl Horgan helped Cork City secure the points against Bohemians on Friday evening, as they recorded their first league win of the new season by a score line of 2-1.

Horgan was instrumental in City’s victory, terrorising the Bohemians defence for 90 minutes in a rip-roaring display on the left wing, eventually being substituted to a standing ovation in the 92^nd minute.

The win means that City have recorded four points from a possible six so far this season, while for the Gypsies it represents their first league defeat of 2013.

The Rebel Army overcame a slow start to pulverise their visitors at the beginning of the second half, scoring two quick fire goals to catapult themselves into the lead.

Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan will no doubt be wondering why his team capitulated so easily once being put under sustained pressure, while his opposite number Tommy Dunne will be delighted with how his charges responded in the second half.

The conditions on the night were ideal for a game of football, but that didn’t exactly lead to an overly exciting start. Both teams moved the ball about quite well, but chances were few and far between in the opening quarter of an hour.

Cork City were the first to really test the water - Daryl Horgan came in off the left side - a trademark move from the diminutive wide man - before letting rip a very decent effort that Bohemians goalkeeper Dean Delany did well to parry just over the bar.

Minutes later, it was Bohemians who wasted a very good chance. Kevin Devaney stole the ball from City left-back Danny Murphy, before pulling it back Chris Lyons who blazed well over the target when he really should have done better.

Horgan came very close once again soon after, when - after being played into the penalty area by Colin Healy, he pulled the trigger - but veteran defender Owen Heary managed to get across just in time to deny the home side of the lead.

Just when the game seemed it needed a goal most, it was the visitors who delivered. Ryan McEvoy whipped in a fantastic corner kick, which Owen Heary met at the near post with a superb header after completing a swift darting run belying of his years.

Then, following the Bohemians goal, there was a rather unsavoury incident. A couple of Bohemians fans who had snuck into the home end invaded the pitch, a Cork City fan then joined them, and a minor scuffle broke out. All parties were escorted down the tunnel.

On the stroke of half time, the threatening Daryl Horgan once again came agonisingly close to handing his side an equaliser. He controlled a high pass at the edge of the box, before sending a vicious dipping volley right at the goal, forcing Dean Delany to make a superb save.

After a somewhat sleepy first half, Cork City came out all guns blazing after the restart. Attacking their favoured Shed End, Daryl Kavanagh played an intelligent reverse pass to the Danny Furlong in the box, who marked his league debut for his new club with a well-taken goal.

Furlong, who joined the club in the off-season from Wexford Youths, was in the thick of things again minutes later. This time, he slid the ball to Daryl Horgan, whose rather hurried finish went inches wide of the post.

Once the Rebel Army began to step it up, and Bohemians really did begin to crumble. They surrendered chance after chance to their hosts – first it was Gearoid Morrissey who drew a save from the Bohs ‘keeper with a driven shot, and then Dan Murray had a header cleared off the line.

Then, the hosts capitalized on their dominance. Daryl Kavanagh played the role of creator once again, this time threading through a pass to the feet of Daryl Horgan, who slotted his effort through the goalkeeper's legs and send the home crowd into jubilation.

With the clock ticking down, City had yet another chance. Daryl Horgan crossed the ball to Danny Furlong, but this time Furlong’s well-struck volley rattled the cross bar.

The home side continued to pepper the opposing goal, sending their fans home happy on the first night of the St. Patrick’s long weekend.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Neal Horgan, Kevin Murray, Dan Murray, Danny Murphy; Gearoid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Shane Duggan, Daryl Horgan (Adam Rundle, 92); Danny Furlong, Daryl Kavanagh (Ian Turner, 86).
Subs not used: Kevin Burns (GK), Darren Dennehy, Denis Behan, Danny Morrissey, John Dunleavy.

Bookings: Daryl Horgan (54).

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Roberto Lopes, Owen Heary, Derek Pender, Luke Byrne; Karl Moore (Ciaran Nangle, 63), Ryan McEvoy, Kevin Devaney, Keith Buckley, Stephen Traynor (David Scully, 71); Chris Lyons (Darragh Hanaphy, 81).
Subs not used: Greg Murray (GK), Darragh Reynor, Shane Murray, Michael Barker.

Bookings: Chris Lyons (5).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Attendance: 2,760

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Horgan. (Cork City) - An absolutely terrific performance from the Damien Duff lookalike. Daryl Kavanagh also deserves a mention for his own showing.