Derry victory quells Cork City's hopes of avoiding the play-offs

Cork City 0 

Derry City 1 

Cork City’s hopes of avoiding the relegation playoff are all but over after defeat against Derry City at Turner's Cross on Friday night. 

The loss means City trail Sligo Rovers by six points with just two games remaining and the Rebel Army’s faith could be confirmed on Saturday night if the Bit O’Red get something from their home game against Drogheda United.

There was a partial stadium closure with sections of both the Derrynane and Curragh Road stands closed for the game which certainly affected the atmosphere and perhaps the performance of the players. 

The majority of 1,868 supporters in attendance at Turner's Cross would have been a little bit disappointed by the fight from the City players throughout the contest.

City made four changes to the side that successfully defeated UCD last Sunday. 

The most notable alteration was the return of Tiernan Brooks to the side after his long layoff. 

The U21 Republic of Ireland international was only making his second start for the club after suffering an injury against St Patrick’s Athletic in his debut back in July. 

Cian Coleman, Barry Coffey and Cian Baragay also returned to the starting 11.

It was a passive opening to the game from both sides. Both City and Derry were happy to allow one another time in possession. 

Neither side wanted to press high up the pitch and only really engaged when the ball got into the final-third.

City were first to have an effort on goal when Ben Worman controlled the ball on the edge of the area but his strike was deflected just past the post.

The playing surface at Turners Cross, which had held up remarkably well, started to cut-up early into the match, which created uncharacteristic errors from players.

The Rebel Army adapted quicker to the conditions and looked a threat going forward. Aaron Bolger in particular looked dangerous when he ventured forward.

Brooks was called into action for the first time when he shifted across goal to deny Will Patching dipping free-kick. 

Although it was a save you would expect a keeper of his level to make, it would have still been a confidence booster for the Notts County loanee, after spending so many weeks on the sidelines.

City would have gone in front but for an excellent piece of defending from Cameron McJannet. 

The Derry captain excellently positioned himself to clear Barry Coffey’s ball across the six-yard box that was destined for Ruairi Keating only for McJannet to intervene in the last moment.

Coffey, who hasn’t been a regular starter this season, was doing well in the game. 

He is normally known for his attacking threat but his workrate defensively is what stood out during the first half. He was composed in possession and frequently made good passes.

Coffey thought he had given City the lead on the stroke of half-time when he bundled the ball over the line from close-range but the goal was correctly ruled out for a foul committed by Keating in the build-up play.

The away side almost took the lead within seconds of the restart when Michael Duffy wonderfully struck a control volley off the post before Adam O’Reilly failed to convert the rebound. 

Had Duffy’s effort gone in, it certainly would have been a contender for goal of the season such was the technique required to hit the volley.

Brooks was called into action moments later when he got a strong-hand to Paul McMullan’s strike. 

It was a fine stop from the City goalkeeper and one which would have had supporters questioning if the team’s fortunes would have been different had Brooks remained fit.

Derry went in front with 15 minutes to go through a wonder strike from Ronan Boyce. 

The defender showed more ambition than Jaze Kabia to get to a loose ball before firing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

Cork City: Brooks; Custovic (Walker 69), Hakkinen, Coleman (Owolabi 84), Honohan; Bargary (Kabia 69), Coffey (Dijksteel 61), Bolger, Kravchuk, Worman (Murphy 69); Keating.

Derry City: Maher; Boyce, Connolly (Todd 77), McJannet, Doherty; Dummigan, Patching, O’Reilly (Mullen 72), McMullan (P McEleney 72), Duffy (Coll 90), Kavanagh (McEneff 72).

Referee: D MacGraith