Derby Delight and a Ray of Light for Cork City who triumph 2-0 over rivals Waterford
Turner’s Cross hosted the fifth and final Munster derby of the season in front of a total crowd of 2,560, one of whom was the observing Heimir Hallgrimsson, as the national team coach continues to keep up appearances within the League of Ireland, and just a week before Ireland’s crunch clash with Hungary.
The travelling contingent of several hundred in the away section was close to that of the opposite Shed End, the home of Cork City’s most vocal supporters, possibly a reflection of the disaffection that has set in on Leeside after a thoroughly disappointing return to the Premier Division. Tonight’s result however means that there may be a ray of light still peaking through the cracks of the last chance saloon for City, as they secured a third home victory over Waterford of the season thanks to goals from Evan McLaughlin and Matthew Murray.
First Half:
After a fiery reception from both sets of fans, the game kicked off in similar fashion. A spell of end-to-end football led to Joshua Fitzpatrick’s through ball being tucked away by youngster Matt Murray right on two minutes. The hosts’ moment of early jubilation was spoiled, however, by the instant raising of the assistant’s flag. The Blues’ first opening came only a matter of minutes later when some nice play from Muhammadu Faal forced a striking opportunity and a save from City ‘keeper Conor Brann.
The visitors continued to build the pressure and nearly found the lead after some intricate play led to a big chance for wing-back Josh Miles, only to be denied by a fine stop from Brann yet again. The game soon regained its end-to-end flow, with Matt Murray and Kitt Nelson looking dangerous for the Corkmen.
Midway through the first half, many in the Shed thought they’d seen their team take the lead but Evan McLaughlin’s deflected free kick had rippled the wrong side of the net, having looped just over. City continued to find themselves in promising areas in the final third but could scarcely work themselves into a serious shooting opportunity.
Alex Nolan, who replaced the injured Fitzpatrick on 26 minutes, shortly found himself cutting onto his left foot on the edge of the area but blazed high and wide – the move notable for the exceptional cross-field through ball played by 19-year-old Preston loanee Kaedyn Kamara.
Waterford responded immediately with a chance of their own, but Conan Noonan’s attempt was stopped by a last-ditch Rory Feely tackle. Then, it was Brann who denied the Blues once more, when Padraig Amond’s sweetly struck volley was parried by the on-form City shot stopper.
Just two minutes before the break, the hosts’ cheers were again cut short by the assistant referee who ruled out Sean Maguire’s neatly prodded header for offside following a delicately delivered Nelson free kick. It would be third time lucky for the Rebel Army, however, as there was no denying Evan McLaughlin who opened the scoring with a searing drive from the edge of the area right on the stroke of half time.
Murray, who had impressed down the left all half, latched onto a Nelson through pass before outmuscling the defender and drilling the ball across the box. It was cleared, but only as far as McLaughlin who delighted the home fans with a finish that will surely feature in the club’s Goal of the Season competition.
John Coleman will no doubt have felt aggrieved to be on the losing side going into the break, with his team dominating the shot count, but it was a half deserving of a goal at either end.
Second Half:
It was McLaughlin who had City’s first attempt of the second half also, this time his effort much less accurate, forcing those high up in the Donie Forde stand to raise their arms, rather than the Waterford keeper. There were limbs lifted in the Shed again moments later, this time in joyous acclaim.
Matt Murray capitalised on an under hit backpass from Blues midfielder Samuel Glenfield and finish comfortably from the edge of the area to send the Rebel Army flying into a two-goal lead. It was a moment tinged with immediate concern for Murray and Cork City however as, instead of running off in celebration, he lay on the floor clinging to his leg following an awkward landing as he finished, ultimately forcing the impressive 18-year-old off the pitch before the game could restart.
The Leesiders continued to assert their dominance in the 15 minutes or so that followed, and looked the team more likely to grab the next goal. Chances for Rory Feely and Sean Maguire both narrowly flashed wide of Stephen McMullan’s right-hand post. The Northern Irish keeper, who has been called up for his national team’s forthcoming qualifiers against Germany and Luxembourg, was forced into action in the 69th minute when a super solo run from midfield by Kamara fed McLaughlin through. The man who opened the evening’s scoring could only fire straight at McMullan who parried.
His next save minutes later was equally as important but less conscious. City worked a short corner which McLaughlin smashed across the area, Anderson met with force and McMullan saved with his chest, not having the time to properly react given the pace of the hit.
Another close shave may have acted as a wake-up call for the Blues who quickly turned the pressure around. Faal struck an enticingly delivered cross wide when he should have really hit the target from close range. Substitute Trey Coyle then drilled one across the face of goal from the edge of the area.
But Waterford were soon forced to rely on McMullan again to keep them in with a faint chance of a revival. The Northern Irish international will certainly have impressed the island’s other (or primary) national team manager with two strong-handed stops from goal-bound Alex Nolan shots within a matter of minutes.
Full Time:
Ger Nash will no doubt also be keen to stress the value of another clean sheet, their third in four league matches, having proven so elusive for City during the first half of the campaign. Signs of life and a ray of light, certainly, for the Rebel Army after yet another derby triumph.
The performances of local, academy-nurtured youngsters like Matt Murray (who was named Man of the Match) and Matthew Kiernan will be equally as positive as the three points for the club, and in the long-term possibly more valuable if the Rebel Army’s return to the first division is, nevertheless, inevitable. If tonight is anything to go by, though, that won’t happen without a fight.
Final Score: Cork City 2-0 Waterford
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