Cork City 1 Sunderland 1:Roy Keane's legion of Cork supporters enjoyed a night's ecstasy at a sun-splashed Turner's Cross last night. Keane was given a hero's welcome by a capacity 8,000 attendance at the stadium where Sunderland visitors joined the Cork City fans to create a carnival atmosphere.
The visit of Keane and other former Irish international stars like Niall Quinn and the legendary Charlie Hurley provoked a standing ovation from the fans before kick-off.
The rival supporters engaged in friendly banter while waiting for kick-off with Cork fans in turn chanting "going down, going down, going down" before applauding the visitors.
It was an evening full of good humour and celebration. And it peaked when Keane strode out from under the stands and responded to the familiar chant of "Keano, Keano" with a cheery wave.
Two photographers collided and tumbled to the ground much to the delight of the fans at the Shed end as they scrambled to capture the first images of Keane on his first visit as manager of Sunderland.
Hurley's presence added to the occasion as he returned to the city of his birth. He emigrated with his parents to London while still a child and won fame with Millwall and then Sunderland.
He won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1957 to 1969 and was voted "Player of the Millennium" in Sunderland in 2000.
Unfortunately the contest itself suffered by comparison with the excitement generated by the pre-match scenes. Both teams were below strength at kick-off and Cork were comfortable in coping with Sunderland's uninspiring football of the first half.
Sunderland threatened only once in that period - Stern John doing well to control a left-wing cross from Grant Leadbitter on his chest before striking the ball over on the volley from 15 yards.
Cork lost the best chance of the opening half in the 42nd minute. Dan Murray drove a crossfield pass to Leon McSweeney on the right wing. McSweeney made ground before whipping the ball across and after Denis Behan had just failed to get a touch, Murray was there but shot into the side-netting.
Murray's influence was striking as Cork produced a composed performance. Colin Healy, a former international partner of Keane's in Ireland's midfield, impressed against the club with whom he suffered two horrific leg breaks.
It was fitting then Healy should play a major role in the opening goal for Cork in the 57th minute. His left-wing corner bounced off several bodies in the crowded goalmouth before Denis Behan forced it over the line off the underside of the bar.
"Are you Ramblers in disguise," chanted the delighted Cork fans in a reference to Keane's brief period in the League of Ireland with Cobh Ramblers.
Within 15 minutes Keane had thrown on five substitutes, including Gavin Donaghue from Clondalkin, and Sunderland stepped up the pace in search of an equaliser.
It came, significantly, after Dan Murray had been withdrawn by Cork manager Damien Richardson. Liam Miller soloed at his ease through the middle of the Cork defence before rifling a shot into the roof of the net from six yards in the 75th minute.
The closing 15 minutes was a lottery as both teams threw on a succession of substitutes and the evening ended as it started, sweetness and light, as Keane stood and saluted both sets of fans at the final whistle.
CORK CITY: McNulty; Horgan (Kelly 72), Cillian Lordan, Murray (O'Callaghan 72), Ryan; Softic (Cathal Lordan 80), Healy (Lally 83), Kearney (Meyler 83); McSweeney (Daly 88), Behan (Scanlon 85).
SUNDERLAND: Ward; Halford (Edwards 70), Anderson, Collins, Kay (Donaghue 70); Miller, Whitehead, Yorke (Chopra 84), Leadbitter (Richardson 64); John (Murphy 64), Connolly (Stokes 64).
