League Report: Longford Town 0 - 3 Cork City

Second-half substitute Mark O’Sullivan proved to be the difference for Cork City as they overcame 10 man Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
O’Sullivan played a part in the first goal, scored the second and had a goal disallowed offside. Town had to play the majority of the game with 10 men after defender Tristan Noack Hofmann was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute.
 
Two minutes had just elapsed when Lee Duffy had a chance to put the home side ahead but he blasted his effort over. City’s first chance came in the 24th minute but defender Alan Bennett headed over the bar.
 
Ten minutes later and Town were reduced to 10 men when defender Noack Hofmann received a second yellow card for a foul on Steven Beattie; it was harsh on the young defender.
 
In the 39th minute City’s Kevin O’Connor hit a free but it was well held by Town 'keeper Paul Skinner. Minutes later Greg Bolger had a chance and then just before the break Stephen Dooley capitalised on a mistake by Philip Gannon but his shot was blocked down by Town defender Pat Flynn.
 
City took the lead in the 57th minute when O’Sullivan’s ball was put into the path of Sean Maguire by Town defender Mark Rossiter and he found the net with an excellent strike. O’Sullivan had a chance to double the lead two minutes after but his attempt was well saved by Skinner.
 
The Town netminder also pulled off another fine save to deny Maguire. Town had a chance in the 69th minute when David O’Sullivan played the ball to Kealan Dillon but he shot wide.
 
City doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute when Kevin O’Connor’s free met the head of O’Sullivan at the near post. Ten minutes later and City got their third; Maguire with the pass to Dooley and he shot home from close range to secure all three points for John Caulfield's side.
 
 
Longford Town: Paul Skinner; Jamie Mulhall, Pat Flynn, Mark Rossiter (Rhys Gorman, 75), Tristan Noack Hofmann, Conor Powell; Philip Gannon, Kealan Dillon; Kaleem Simon (Don Cowan, 70); David O’Sullivan, Lee Duffy (Josh O’Hanlon, 64). 
Subs not used: Ian Molloy, Mark Hughes, Peter McGlynn, Cody Mulhall. 
Bookings: T. H. Hofmann (17), J. Mulhall (43). 
Sent off: Hofmann (34)
 
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colin Healy (Mark O’Sullivan, 46), Michael McSweeney, Alan Bennett, (Ian Turner, 78), Kevin O’Connor; Steven Beattie, Gavan Holohan, Greg Bolger (Garry Buckley, 61), Gearoid Morrissey, Stephen Dooley; Sean Maguire. 
Subs not used: Danny Morrissey, Alan Smith, Craig Donnellan, Kenny Browne. 
Booking: G. Bolger (26).
 
 
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
Attendance: 450.
Extratime Man of the Match: Mark O’Sullivan (Cork City).