Cathal O'Sullivan and Sean Murray fire Cork City to win over Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross
Cork City's 17-year-old tyro Cathal O'Sullivan celebrates his goal against Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
CATHAL O’Sullivan showed once again why he is so highly rated at Turner's Cross on Friday night.The 17-year-old got his first goal for Cork City to increase their lead at the top of the First Division to three points after their victory over Bray Wanderers. Sean Murray had opened the scoring for City in front of 2,923 spectators before O’Sullivan sealed the points.
Although City weren’t at their best, it was a routine win for Tim Clancy’s side. Once City went ahead, their game management was good enough to see them coast past Bray, who although had moments, never really troubled City.
The hosts were ahead early when Murray capitalised on a mistake from former City keeper Jimmy Corcoran, who spilled Evan Mclaughlin’s tame effort leaving Murray with the simplest of finishes. It was a real poacher's goal from the midfielder, who had earlier failed to convert a decent chance.
O’Sullivan enhanced his already stellar reputation when the attacker produced another moment of magic to open his account for the club. O’Sullivan skipped past the challenge of Paul Murphy before smashing the ball beyond Corcoran at his near post.
As good as City were going forward, they were equally as impressive without the ball. Their shape was excellent with every player knowing their role.
It was clear to see that their defensive shape has been worked on for a number of weeks on the training ground because it wasn’t needless running from the players to get the ball back. They were structured in the way they knew whose job it was to press when different Bray players were in possession.
Murray had two further opportunities to increase City’s lead. The first after a powerful run from the player from midfield, with Murray denied by Corcoran. The second came after a well-worked corner routine found the former Dundalk player in acres of space inside the penalty area by his mistimed his strike, with the ball eventually going well wide.
Bray showed more promise in the second half and would have reduced the deficit were it not for an excellent piece of defending from Greg Bolger. The experienced midfielder managed to be in the right place to prevent Guillermo Almirall’s header from going in, with Brad Wade eventually tipping over the crossbar.
The visitors did cause more moments of concern but weren’t clinical enough.
Wade; Nevin, Coleman, Lyons, O’Donovan; Bolger, Murray (Crowe 83), McLaughlin (Brookwell 70); O’Sullivan, Doherty, Wood (Umeh 79).
Corcoran; P Murphy, Cantwell (Cruise 77), Omorehimwan (Kizenga 84); M Murphy, Groome, Turley, Osam (Nolan 77); Thompson, Almirall (McGlone 78); Grogan (Morgan 60).
M Houlihan.
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