DERRY CITY'S Sean Hargan could have scored a hat-trick at Turners Cross yesterday, but the one goal he did score was, in the end, sufficient to decide a crucial championship tie.
The victory confirmed Derry's position as league leaders on a day when their championship challenge was tested severely.
Cork played well in front of their enthusiastic supporters and were justified in maintaining that they deserved a draw from a fascinating contest. But they were their own worst enemies, failing to capitalise on first half chances that might have won the game.
Derry lived dangerously in that period when Cork played with such urgency and determination that they ruled the game. The play was compressed into Derry's penalty area but three splendid scoring opportunities were spurned by the home side.
Centre forward Damien O'Connor, flashed a header across the face of the goal and wide, while Dave Barry and Ollie Cahill lifted shots over the bar to ruin two excellent chances.
"Cork have been going well and they gave us a lot of trouble in the opening half hour," said Derry's manager, Felix Healy. "They bombarded us with frees and corners, but once we scored we could have had another one or two."
The corner count told its own story - 13 to Cork and only three to Derry, but in the 28th minute Derry conjured up the relevant statistic. Liam Coyle timed his pass beautifully to release Hargan past a flat Cork defence and the centre forward ran on and finished in style.
"The goal was a disappointment," said Cork's player-manager, Dave Barry.
Cork succeeded in putting the ball into the Derry net 10 minutes into the second half through Dave Hill, but there was no disputing the offside decision that ruled it out. And while Cork continued to work with commendable application, it was Derry who threatened more in breakaway attacks.
Cork goalkeeper, Noel Mooney, saved superbly at the feet of Peter Hutton and then did well to turn aside an effort from Hargan. The final moment of excitement was also supplied by Hargan, when his shot flew across the Cork goal and just outside the far post.
