Sport

Cork produce the goods

Cork City - 2 Derry City - 1: NATIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Cork City produced two top-class goals in the closing 14 minutes…

Mon Dec 09 2002 - 00:00

Cork City - 2 Derry City - 1:NATIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:Cork City produced two top-class goals in the closing 14 minutes to maintain their unbeaten eircom League Premier division home record at Turner's Cross yesterday.

Cork dominated all but the opening 10 minutes, but when they fell behind to a goal five minutes into the second half, they must have wondered whether Derry,the only team to beat them at home this season, were again to surprise them.

It was not to be, however, for Cork played good football to put that goal behind them and finish very strongly. Their win and their performance left manager Liam Murphy in satisfied mood .

"I was pleased that we continued to play good football even though the goals were not coming," he said. "Our players like to get the ball down and pass it and they never abandoned that approach. The two goals were no more than they deserved and the winning strike was a great one."

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The goals were exceptional. Derry set the standard when, on 50 minutes, Seán Hargan overlapped on the left and his cross allowed the unmarked Eamonn Doherty to slide the ball home from 10 yards.

Cork stepped up the pace and the equaliser came on 76 minutes. John O'Flynn ran powerfully down the right wing from half-way, and outpaced Hargan before firing in a shot from 20 yards that took a deflection off Paddy McLaughlin and flew into the net.

Cork were not prepared to settle for a point and their optimism was rewarded with a memorable goal from full-back Neal Horgan three minutes from time. Alan Carey's cross from the right wing was headed away from goal and Horgan met the ball on the half-volley to score from 20 yards.

"We have to be a little disappointed not to get something from the game after playing so well despite missing several players because of injuries," said Derry boss Kevin Mahon.

CORK CITY: Devine; Carey, Daly, Murray, Horgan; O'Halloran, Reynolds (Warren 87 mins), Bennett (C P O'Brien 59 mins), Woods; O'Callaghan, O'Flynn.

DERRY CITY: Gough; Deery, Hutton, McLaughlin, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn (McCready 69 mins), Doherty, Friars; McCallion (Hughes 80 mins), Coyle (Gill 75 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford)