League of Ireland Premier Division/ Cork City 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1:St Patrick's stole an unlikely win over Cork City at Turner's Cross last night thanks chiefly to the heroics of goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.
Cork were caught by a breakaway attack in the 20th minute but they dominated the game throughout, maintained pressure on the St Patrick's defence for extended periods, but were denied by the magnificent Clarke.
He produced some marvellous saves and was regularly in the action as Cork controlled an uninspiring contest without ever showing their best form. They were constructive in their approach but played at too leisurely a pace and the St Patrick's defence countered their attack comfortably.
The visitors' goal came totally against the run of play in the 20th minute. On a quick break Mark Quigley got the ball on the right side of the penalty area. He had time to steady himself but his volley was flying wide when Gary O'Neill reached it at the far post and chested it home.
Cork should have equalised in the 23rd minute. Colin Healy broke through the middle on to a return pass from John O'Flynn and scrambled the ball past the tackle of goalkeeper Brendan Clarke. But as Healy struggled to find his balance, Clarke got back to smother his shot.
The pattern was unchanged after the break as Cork continued to dictate. St Patrick's let a chance slip in the 48th minute when Quigley shot weakly for Michael Devine to save after O'Neill had set him up.
Cork were often hurried in front of goal after good approach play. Denis Behan was denied only by a magnificent save from Clarke in the 54th minute and O'Flynn was inches away with a shot on the turn that flew wide in the 65th minute. Clarke then produced what was possibly his best save when O'Flynn back-headed a cross from Billy Woods in the 74th minute and he turned the ball over at the last moment.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Kelly (Lordan 69), Murray, Woods; Farrelly, Gamble, Healy, Kearney (McSweeney 69); O'Flynn, Behan.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Clarke; Brennan, Maguire, Paisley, Rogers; Fahey, Gibson (Fitzpatrick 84), Keane, Kirby; Quigley, O'Neill (Guy 82).
Referee: A Kelly(Cork).
