League Report: Cork City 0-1 Galway Utd

Philip Morrissey reporting from Turner’s Cross

Galway survived the sending-off of Wilson Waweru to record their first win of the season. Ed McCarthy’s close-range effort in the first-half gave them a first win in Cork since 1993.  

It was a disappointing evening for the home side. Despite plenty of possession and chances, they failed to find the killer touch. Not even the watching Roy Keane could inspire them to a breakthrough.  

Cork City were unchanged from the side who started the demolition of Bray. The only change was on the bench where recent signing Kieran Coates replaced Oran Crowe. Ruairi Keating started again coming up against the side he left during the winter.

The only absentee for Galway was John Caulfield who was carrying forward a suspension from last season. Conor McCormack installed as captain returned to face his former side.   

It was a tentative start from both sides as they sought to feel each other out. Most of the play was concentrated in the middle of the park where neither side were giving much away. A couple of free-kicks were conceded by both sides that failed to threaten much.

Galway were angered by a late challenge by Jonas Hakkinen on Manu Dimas. The shed end then screamed for a penalty as Keating was bumped in the area by Diego Portilla. The only real chance came as Cian Murphy strode down the wing and put in a low cross. It just evaded Dylan McGlade though.

That was his last action as he was injured and was replaced by James Doona. The game seemed to be meandering along, but then Galway struck for the lead. Wilson Waweru held the ball up well on the left flank before playing the ball to the overlapping Alex Murphy.

Murphy got past Cian Coleman on the end-line too easily and his cutback allowed the on-rushing Ed McCarthy to tap home.

The game now sprung to life. Coleman attempted to make amends but saw his header tipped away by Kearns. The resulting corner was blocked on the line by the same player.

The crowd were making themselves known as a number of meaty challenges were committed as City strove to find an equaliser before the break. Galway and O’Keeffe in particular were standing firm though.

The second-half started in a similar vein and Galway found themselves down to ten. Waweru came through the back of James Doona and Eoghan O’ Shea showed him a second yellow card.

The away side were refusing to crack, however. Time and again they blocked and tackled whatever came in front of them. Bolger and Barry Coffey tried to gain any sort of space to play in the front players, but found the door closed on most occasions.  

Keating almost got room as he spun in the area to reach a cutback from Murphy but was blocked immediately by Killian Brouder. Coffey thought he had levelled as he ran onto a through-ball only to have David Keeler raise his flag. Murphy then put his shot high over when found in space by Coffey.

They could not find the requisite response though. The away side persisted in their dogged resistance as Colin Healy cut a frustrated figure on the side-line.

Substitute Matt Healy had an attempt from a volley that sailed over after a corner was headed away. Not even four extra minutes could bring the equaliser.

Delight for the away supporters at the end. They get their season up-and-running ahead of a home game against Waterford next Friday night. Cork must dust themselves off before a trip to Longford next Saturday.     

Cork City: David Harrington; Ally Gilchrist, Cian Coleman (c), Jonas Hakkinen (Matt Srbely 62), Kevin O'Connor; Barry Coffey, Aaron Bolger (Matt Healy 74), Cian Bargary, Dylan McGlade (James Doona 23); Ruairi Keating, Cian Murphy.
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Josh Honohan, Ronan Hurley, Kieran Coates, Uniss Kargbo, Darragh Crowley.
Booked: Jonas Hakkinen (14), Aaron Bolger (40).
Sent off: None.

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Killian Brouder, Alex Murphy, Conor O'Keeffe, Diego Portilla; David Hurley (Charlie Lyons 45), Edward McCarthy, Conor McCormack (c), Wilson Waweru; Manu Dimas (Jordan Adeyemo 64), Mikie Rowe (Gary Boylan 64).
Subs not used: Stephen Walsh, Evan O'Connor, Dean O'Shea, Shane Doherty.
Booked: David Hurley (40) .
Sent off: Wilson Waweru (49).

Referee: Eoghan O’ Shea
Attendance: 4,984
extratime.com Player of the Match: Conor O’ Keeffe