Cork City 1 Dundalk 2

Brian Gartland had the decisive say amid late drama at Turner’s Cross last night as Dundalk opened up a six-point lead at the top of the SSE Aitricity League table.

With Cork City having just equalised through Darren Dennehy in the 83rd minutes, defender Gartland soon reacted following a goalmouth scramble to poke home his sixth league goal of the season and break home hearts.

Having fallen three points behind following the 2-0 defeat to Bohemians last week, Cork made four changes – including new signing Ross Gaynor, who replaced the departed Iarfhlaith Davoren – and they began the game at a furious pace.

A focus

The vigour lacked a focus, however, and they couldn’t work Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie in the opening 15 minute. In contrast, the visitors were able to score from the first real chance on the quarter-hour mark.

Former Cork winger Daryl Horgan – roundly booed – tried a though ball and, while that didn’t come off, the ball took two deflections to fall into the path of hardworking midfielder Richie Towell, who finished well past Mark McNulty.

As the half wore on, City became aggrieved with the decision-making of referee Pádraig Sutton, home manager John Caulfield particularly animated, and by half-time six yellow cards had been handed out, four to the hosts.

Attacking potency

There was no change to the scoreline, however, despite an increase in attacking potency from Cork before the whistle.

Colin Healy was unlucky with a 25-yard piledriver which clipped the the top of the crossbar.

Soon after, Mark O’Sullivan linked well with Garry Buckley, heading the ball down to the midfielder and then getting on the end of the cross only for his touch to be too heavy.

Towell struck a warning just before half-time as he flashed a shot wide following Kurtis Byrne’s run, and the start of the second half brought little change in the pattern of play.

John O’Flynn – introduced as Cork changed to 4-4-2 – felt he might have had a penalty midway through the half but contact from Dane Massey looked negligible to non-existent.

Then Darren Dennehy shot well over from a 30-yard free kick.

While another striker, Danny Morrissey was introduced, it looked as if Cork would be frustrated until Darren Dennehy was there at the back post to head home his brother Billy’s free kick for the equaliser.

But the sides were only level for a minute. Gartland had the final say, and Dundalk’s lead at the top is now considerable.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Dunleavy, D Dennehy, Murray, Gaynor (D Morrissey 73); G Morrissey (Kearney 80), Healy; O'Shea (O'Flynn 58), Buckley, B Dennehy; O'Sullivan.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Towell, Shields; Meenan (Mountney 71), Byrne (Higgins 60), Horgan (McDermott 77); Hoban.

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).

Attendance: 5,650