League Report: Dundalk 0 - 1 Cork City

A Sean Maguire penalty saw Cork City pick up a win in Oriel Park for the first time since April 2009 to draw level on points with the back-to-back Champions.

An enthralling, if sometimes hectic, game unfolded on the Carrick Road as City, who had the President’s Cup win over Dundalk in pre-season, were keen to show they meant business.

Stephen Dooley’s first minute challenge on Brian Gartland set the tone for a spirited Rebel performance. The visitors clearly had a fire in their bellies from the off, while Dundalk showed finesse and focus.

The Lilywhites looked the more menacing though as Daryl Horgan, Patrick McEleney and John Mounteny caused real problems for the Leesider’s defence.

Sean Gannon and John Mountney combined well on the right and almost allowed Finn to fire home on 18 minutes. His shot rifled into the side netting in what was the first real threat at goal from either side.

Thereafter, John Caulfield's men had to withstand waves of patient Dundalk build up, getting respite only in surges forwards.

In the 25^th minute, Dundalk had claims of a penalty waved away when Ciarán Kilduff’s jersey was noticeably pulled and seemed to prevent him latching onto a ball six yards before Mark McNulty collected. It may have been a let off but wouldn’t be the penalty talking point of the night.

Horgan tricked inside to let fly at McNulty, he stopped it but had to rush to gather it. The half time whistle came with a sense of foreboding for Cork. There was a real sense that Dundalk were working up to cracking the tightly marshalled away defence.

The second half opened a more evenly contested affair. Karl Sheppard and Stephen Dooley watched two promising crosses become corners courtesy of last ditch tackles from the Lilywhite defence in the opening phases as the visitors afforded themselves forays forward, but the Dundalk defence was as stubbornly solid as their opposition’s from crosses.

Patrick McEleney and Horgan were electrifying in phases. Both players were attacking space and had the home fans squirming with delight at their mazy runs.

It was understandably a worrying sight then when McEleney pulled up suddenly nearing the hour mark as he broke from a misguided Bennett header.

Daryl Horgan plucked a ball out of the air and left the entire Cork City midfield dizzy with some escape-artistry that would put David Blane to shame.

He covered 40 yards and found Mountney on the edge of the box but the Mayo man couldn’t get his shot away undeterred and his deflected shot wasn’t the icing on the cake for Horgan’s tasty mix.

A scrappy five minutes of play ensured on the hour mark, during which, City watched a Stephen Beattie effort from 18 yards, probably the best effort from play in the match, saved superbly by Rogers.

With clear cut chances and possession at a premium, it looked like the Leesiders might have to batten down the hatches for a point until a 69^th minute decision turned the game on its head.

Karl Sheppard made a prospecting run down the right and struck gold. Or rather, his cross was deemed to have stuck the hand of the onrushing Dane Massey.

A penalty was awarded to the auditable disgust of the home fans from which ex-Lilywhite, Sean Maguire, duly converted to give the travelling fans something to cheer about.

Dundalk had difficulty breaking down Cork in the remainder of the game as a packed defence frustrated the Lilywhite’s efforts.

Benson’s 72^nd minute rasper from distance had Nulty beaten but sailed over. Finn too tried from distance minutes later but that, in a nutshell, was what Dundalk were limited to –shots from distance.

An alternative avenue was the dangerous crosses into the box from the sprung Meenan on the right and Horgan on the left, but they lacked the finish which may have salvaged a point.

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Alan Bennett, John Dunleavy, Eoghan O’Connell, Greg Bolger, Stephen Beattie (Colin Healy 80), Stephen Dooley (Ian Turner 83), Kevin O’Connor, Karl Sheppard, Kenny Browne, Sean Maguire (Mark O’Sullivan 88).

Subs not used: Alan Smith (gk), Gavan Holohan, Danny Morrissey, Michael McSweeney.

Booked: O’Connor (40), Beattie (43), Beattie (44), O’Connell (90).

Dundalk: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon (Darren Meenan 81), Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Stephen O’Donnell, Ronan Finn, Patrick McEleney (Robbie Benson 53), Daryl Horgan, John Mountney, Ciarán Kilduff (David McMillan 76), Daryl Horgan.

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Chris Shields, Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett.

Booked: O’Donnell (31), Finn (93).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 3,528.

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Horgan (Dundalk).