League Report: Cork City 4 - 1 Longford Town

A Barry Coffey double in the second half allowed Cork City recover from going behind to keep up their lead in the First Division title race. The 4-1 scoreline flattered them somewhat, but their confidence will be up after displaying a fighting spirit yet again. 

Longford Town will be kicking themselves for allowing this one to slip though. Playing well and leading approaching the break, they ultimately faltered as the second half progressed. 

Both sides selected to make just the one change from last weekend. After the exciting win in Cobh, Colin Healy brought in Jonas Häkkinen in defence. He took the place of Darragh Crowley who dropped to the bench. Kevin O’Connor captained the side.

Longford welcomed back Ryan Graydon from the injury that forced him to miss the scoreless draw with Treaty United. 

The visitors set out the more enterprising and sought to attack City down both flanks. Eric Molloy and Ryan Graydon aiming to test the home full-backs. No real opportunities were created save for a pair of freekicks that sailed all the way through to David Harrington.

City tried to carve out some chances from open play but found the away defence in mean form. 

Cian Coleman was cursing his luck as he headed wide from a Kevin O’Connor set-piece. It was the away side who almost opened the scoring though. Darren Craven almost profited from a pass out from Harrington that was played too fast.

The netminder recovered just in time. Ryan Graydon then had an opportunity as he sped past O’Connor to run onto a through-ball. His final effort was tame however. 

Longford were dealt a blow as Craven was forced off with an injury. It almost got worse for them as City broke from an interception in midfield. Keating played Cian Murphy through the defence with a precise pass. The striker advanced in space and decided to take the chance himself rather than squaring it back to his partner.

Luke Dennison smothered the shot to the annoyance of Keating.  



Longford then made them pay. A succession of crosses was not properly cleared before Graydon got to the byeline and chipped a cross into the area. Sam Verdon was alive to it to head into the empty net. 

Their joy didn’t last long though. City came down the left-hand side and O’ Connor put a dangerous cross into the area. Michael Barker was the unfortunate individual to put into his own net just on half-time. 

Longford almost struck back at the start of the second half. A cross came in from the right side and both Verdon and Eric Molloy looked set to tap home. Bizarrely it seemed to rebound from one to another before going out for a goal-kick. Verdon claimed it hit a City hand, but nothing was given. 

It was City who then went in front. Sustained pressure pushed Longford further and further. The ball came into a crowded penalty area and Barry Coffey was the player to profit. Good work from both Aaron Bolger and Murphy in the build-up could not be ignored either. 

It remained nip and tuck as both midfields looked to dispossess their opponents and break. Cian Bargary almost was the recipient of one as he and Matthew Healy won the ball from McMenamey. He embarked on a solo run before he was eventually crowded out. 

City confirmed the victory with just over five minutes left. There was confusion in the Longford area as a Cork player went down in the box. The referee played on as the ball was only half-cleared. Coffey was able to sweep it home from outside the area.



Darragh Crowley then added a wonderful fourth as he lashed home a powerful drive minutes later. 

Joy at the final whistle as the home side maintained their lead at the top. They welcome Treaty United here on Monday evening. Longford don’t play again until next Saturday when they host Wexford.       

Cork City: David Harrington; Jonas Hakkinen (Darragh Crowley 70), Ally Gilchrist, Cian Coleman (c), Kevin O'Connor; Barry Coffey (Matt Srbely 85), Aaron Bolger, Cian Bargary (James Doona 85), Matt Healy; Ruairi Keating, Cian Murphy (Mark O'Mahony 70).
Subs not used: Mark McNulty, Jimmy Corcoran, Kieran Coates, Josh Honohan, Ronan Hurley.
Booked: Jonas Hakkinen (65).

Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Dylan Barnett, Michael Barker, Shane Elworthy, Ben Lynch; Darren Craven (Karl Chambers 31), Ryan Graydon, Dean McMenamy, Eric Molloy (Joe Power 60), Aaron Robinson (Cristian Magerusan 90); Sam Verdon.
Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Michael McDonnell, Matthew O'Brien, Aaron McCabe, Joe Doyle.
Booked: Dean McMenamy (56) .

Referee: Mark Moynihan
Attendance: 2337
extratime.com Player of the Match: Barry Coffey (Cork City)

    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