Cork City 2 - 1 UCD

There was an enjoyable turn of events for supporters of Cork City on Friday evening, as a late goal actually went in the favour of the Rebel Army, in a 2-1 victory over UCD at Turner’s Cross.

Recent weeks have been cruel for City – they have dropped five points in the last three games due to conceding goals in the dying minutes of matches.

David McMillan fired the visitors into the lead in the first half, before Daryl Kavanagh got Cork back on level terms in first half stoppage time. Mark McNulty pulled out a strong penalty save to deny McMillan a second later on, before Duggan won it in spectacular style right at the death.

In truth, it was a very one-sided game. The hosts had all the possession, but for long stages of the match just couldn’t break through the UCD defensive line and carve out a clear cut chance. 

Going into the game, it seemed that there would be only one winner – UCD sat rock bottom of the Airtricity League, with a paltry point to their name and the number 18 in the ‘goals against’ column.

Cork City boss Tommy Dunne made a noticeable tactical tweak ahead of the game, hoping to end his team’s poor run of form by reverting to a five man midfield after a spell playing the more traditional 4-4-2.

It was UCD who started the better of the two sides, and took the lead after just a quarter of an hour. Samir Belhout drifted in off the right wing before whipping in a superb cross that David McMillan steered into the back of the net with an equally fantastic header – one that proved too hot to handle for Cork keeper Mark McNulty.

It took 33 minutes for the Rebel Army to have their first real quality passage of play – Colin Healy picked out an absolutely sumptuous ball to find Daryl Horgan, who in turn laid it off to Shane Duggan – but the former UCD man saw his effort blocked by Tomas Boyle.

Just two minutes later, City squandered an absolutely glorious chance. Adam Rundle sent a perfect delivery in from the left by-line, only for the away net-minder Mark McGinley to produce a top-class save to deny Daryl Horgan’s diving header.

Then, the visiting Students wasted a gilt-edged chance to double their advantage five minutes before the half time break. Gary Burke seized on a defensive error from the usually solid home defence, before seeing his shot parried to safety by Mark McNulty.

Two minutes into first half stoppage time, Cork City had a most deserved equaliser. Adam Rundle squared the ball for Colin Healy to head down, before Daryl Horgan sent a volley toward goal only for namesake Kavanagh to deflect the ball in.

The first chance of the second period went to the hosts, looking to build on the level ground they had. Horgan floated in a free kick from the left, and Dan Murray rose highest in the box – but saw his header land on the roof of the net.

Just two minutes later, it appeared that disaster had struck for Cork – David McMillan was adjudged to have been brought down by goalkeeper Mark McNulty, resulting in a penalty kick. McMillan, already with one goal in the bag, stepped up to take it, but saw his effort heroically saved by McNulty.

Minutes past the hour mark, the Leesiders had a chance to take the lead. Denis Behan rolled it to strike partner Daryl Kavanagh on the edge of the box, but his shot glanced just wide of the post.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining, the home fans saw their side squander a chance that would have earned all three points, when substitute Danny Furlong blasted well over when he found himself with a clean shot in the enemy box.

Then, in the dying minutes of the match, Shane Duggan won it for his side. Denis Behan laid the ball off for the Cork midfielder, who then happily rifled it in from just outside the box to send the home support into delirious joy.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, Danny Murphy; Daryl Horgan, Gearoid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Shane Duggan, Adam Rundle (Denis Behan, 58); Daryl Kavanagh (Danny Furlong, 74)
Subs not used: Ian Turner, Danny Morrissey, Kalen Spillane, Kevin Burns, Garry Buckley.

Booked: Mark McNulty (57).

UCD: Mark McGinley; Gareth Matthews, Tomas Boyle (Hugh Douglas, 80), David O’Connor, Mark Langtry; Samir Belhout (Barry McCabe 46), Robbie Creevy, Gary Burke, James Kavanagh (Craig Walsh, 70), Sean Russell; David McMillan.
Subs not used: Ger Barron, Thomas O’Halloran, Dinny Corcoran, Cillian Morrison.

Booked: Mark Langtry (37).

Referee: Sean Grant.

Attendance: 2,076

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Duggan (Cork City).