Soccer

Cork extend unbeaten run with thumping win over Bohemians

Mark O’Sullivan’s first-half double helps home side stay in touch with league leaders

Cork’s Mark O’Sullivan, picured here in action against Dundalk, was Bohemian’s tormentor-in-chief at Turner’s Cross. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Cork’s Mark O’Sullivan, picured here in action against Dundalk, was Bohemian’s tormentor-in-chief at Turner’s Cross. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Fri Jul 31 2015 - 22:40

Cork City 4 Bohemians 0

A fine all-round display from Cork City saw them keep the pressure on leaders Dundalk with a comfortable win over Bohemians at Turner’s Cross.

John Caulfield’s side were always in control, with Mark O’Sullivan’s two first-half goals setting them on their way to victory. The result extends their unbeaten league run to 11 games ahead of the start of the third series of games.

The hosts had just one change from the 1-1 draw with Dundalk last Sunday, with Colin Healy coming into the side for Gavan Holohan. Cork dominated the game, holding on to possession very well.

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O’Sullivan gave them a brilliant start inside three minutes when he met Steven Beattie’s cross to send the ball past Dean Delany in the Bohs goal. That set the tone for the remainder of the half.

Bohs were on the back foot for large periods. Kelly wasn’t far away with a long-range effort, while striker Ismahil Akinade had a half-chance where he shot across goal, but these were merely brief interruptions to the home side’s flow.

Just after the quarter-hour mark, O’Sullivan went close again, though he may not have known too much about it as Karl Sheppard’s cross skimmed off the back of his head and came back off the post. After Sheppard had had a half-chance blocked, the second goal did arrive and O’Sullivan deserved all the credit.

No chance

The hosts won a free kick 25 yards from goal and Liam Miller rolled the ball to O’Sullivan, whose low drive nestled in the corner, giving Delany no chance.

On 31 minutes, O’Sullivan may have had the hat-trick but Delany denied him after first blocking Sheppard’s shot.

Just before half-time, Buckley’s effort from distance whistled over and the pattern of play continued after the break as Sheppard and Dunleavy both shot over.

The tempo dropped considerably in the second half, but the majority of the 3,204 crowd were happy as City remained on top.

Jake Kelly did come close to a Bohs goal with a free kick which came back off the bar but the third goal arrived soon after that. After Beattie was fouled by Dave Mulcahy, it was Healy – unusually playing at right-back – who fired past Delany, rather than O’Sullivan seeking to complete his hat-trick.

The game was safe but there was no let-up to City’s attacking and with two minutes left, one substitute, Ross Gaynor, set up another, Danny Morrissey, to make it four with a smart volley.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Healy, Bennett (Folan 79), Murray, O'Connor; Dunleavy, Miller (Morrissey 79); Beattie, Buckley, Sheppard (Gaynor 58); O'Sullivan.

BOHEMIANS: Delany; Lopes, Prendergast, Mulcahy, Best; Kelly (Byrne 81), Creevy, Wearen (Moore half-time), Evans (O'Brien 76); Akinade, Buckley.

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).