League Report: Wexford 0 - 1 Cork City

Cian Murphy of Cork City celebrates after scoring the side's first goal.

Cian Murphy of Cork City celebrates after scoring the side's first goal. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

Cork City remain three points clear at the top of the First Division after an early Cian Murphy header was ultimately enough to see them record their fifth straight win. They flattered to deceive for much of the game, but will be happy with the result.       

It was disappointment for Wexford however. Despite having much of the better play, they were unable to break down a resolute City defence. There were positives to be taken from the performance but equally small margins cost them again.

Wexford made four changes from the scoreless draw with Bray. Thomas Considine, Jack Doherty, Aaron Dobbs and Len O’ Sullivan came into the side. Aidan Friel, Connor Barry, Dinny Corcoran and Lorcan Fitzgerald were the men who dropped out. City made several changes during the week for the encounter with Midleton, but only one from the Athlone game, Kieran Coates replacing Ronan Hurley.  

Cork came into the game in confident form and took an early lead. Kevin O’Connor found Cian Bargary with a throw in. He had room to turn and cross into the box. The un-marked Cian Murphy was able to plant an easy header past the despairing Paul Hunt.

It was a second goal in two games for City’s top scorer last season. Wexford seemed to be stunned by this and found themselves pushed back constantly during that early period.

The home side did try and get back into the game when they were able to keep possession. Jack Doherty got ahead of Jonas Hakkinen to a through-ball before it was cleared. Joe Manley then managed to meet a cross with a late run into the box. He was only able to head over though.

At the other end, Bargary almost set up a second. His floated ball into the far post was met by Ruairi Keating. He was stretching though and was only able to volley over.

Wexford almost found an equaliser shortly afterwards. A free-kick was floated in by Doherty and met by Paul Cleary at the back-post. David Harrington tipped it upwards and was able to catch it on the second attempt with bodies around him.

This sparked confidence into the home side as they began to exert more pressure on the City defence. Doherty and Harry Groome were linking up well and winning frees in dangerous areas.  

There was always a threat at the opposite end. Kieran Coates received the ball and flashed a cross into the box. It just about evaded his team-mates. Keating then managed to shrug off a late challenge from Manley to sting the palms of Hunt. They seemed to be resting on their laurels to an extent though.



Sloppiness began to creep into their play as half-time approached though. Darren Craven was pushed just outside the area and Kearns was forced to tip over McMenamy’s resulting free. Another foul led to the home fans screaming for a penalty after the ball hit an arm in the box. Nothing given as it as his arm was by his side.

Wexford continued on in this vein as the second half commenced. They won an early corner that Harrington just about managed to claim.

Bargary threatened at the other end. His run down the left-flank led to a pass inside to Coffey. He shot over though. Darragh Crowley was also unsuccessful from an effort just outside the area.

As the weather worsened, the game became even more scrappy. Wexford were seeing plenty of the ball but were unable to find that killer final ball to get behind the City defence. The away side seemed to be more and more content to sit in and hope for a chance on the break.

Bargary and Coffey almost struck gold when they found themselves two on one at the back. Hunt was just about able to parry the final shot before it was hacked away. Evan Farrell then did well to block an attack following a corner.

Plenty of crosses and long balls were being played into the box as the home side tried desperately to carve out a chance of an equaliser. Time and time again a green shirt were able to get in the way of it.  



They eventually ran out of time to do so. Cork maintain their lead at the top of the table. They have a break next weekend, so it is going to be Friday week when they welcome Bray to Turner’s Cross. Wexford travel to Galway next Friday night.     

Wexford: Paul Hunt; Thomas Considine (Evan Farrell 79), Paul Cleary, Joseph Manley, Len O'Sullivan, Adam Wells (Kevin McEvoy 73); Jack Doherty, Harry Groome, Jordan Tallon (Conor Crowley 61); Aaron Dobbs, Conor Davis (Conor Barry 79).
Subs not used: Alex Moody, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Luke Scanlon, Tyler Dunphy.
Booked: Evan Farrell (87).
Sent off: None.

Cork City: David Harrington; Ally Gilchrist, Kieran Coates (Uniss Kargbo 65), Jonas Hakkinen, Kevin O'Connor (c); Darragh Crowley, Barry Coffey, Aaron Bolger, Cian Bargary (Cian Bargary 78); Ruairi Keating, Cian Murphy.
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Ronan Hurley, Matt Healy, Josh Honohan, Matt Srbely, Cian Coleman, Oran Crowe, Mark O'Mahony.
Booked: Cian Bargary (53) ,Ruairi Keating (68) ,Uniss Kargbo (90) Mark McNulty (90).
Sent off: None.
 

Referee: David Keeler
Attendance: 506
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ally Gilchrist

    About Philip Morrissey

    Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile