Cork City grab two late goals in dramatic win over Waterford at Turner's Cross

Cork City 2 Waterford 1 

Cork City secured a dramatic and much-needed victory with an injury-time goal from sub Kitt Nelson in front of 3,365 at Turner’s Cross. 

Evan McLaughlin had drawn City level from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, and just moments later, Nelson pounced with a composed finish to complete a stunning late turnaround. 

The result ended City’s four-game losing streak, lifted them off the foot of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table, and saw them leapfrog Waterford in the standings, climbing two places in the process. It was a night that looked like slipping away, but Tim Clancy’s side showed real resilience and fight to claim all three points in the Munster derby.

City’s team news for the crunch clash with Waterford was headlined by the surprise inclusion of new signing Djenairo Daniels, who was named in the starting 11 just hours after being announced by the club. The 23-year-old Dutch striker, who most recently played with Fram in Iceland, was thrown straight into the action as City looked to solve their striking issues. 

There was also a welcome return to the starting line-up for experienced midfielder Greg Bolger, who made his first start since recovering from injury. Freddie Anderson and Nelson were the two players to drop out of the side following Friday night’s loss to Bohemians.

With both City and Waterford coming into the clash on the back of poor runs and a packed schedule, the opening 45 minutes lacked energy and quality, with chances at a premium.

City were marginally the better side in the first half and created the clearest opening of the game just minutes in. A swift counter-attack saw Alex Nolan slide a beautifully weighted ball into the path of Cathal O’Sullivan, but with only the keeper to beat, the young winger fired over the bar – a big chance, and one that should have put the home side ahead.

Sean Murray also went close, glancing a header just wide from a well-delivered corner, but opportunities were few and far between beyond that.

There was another big chance for O’Sullivan right on the stroke of half-time. This time he showed brilliant control to bring down a Charlie Lyons cross into the box, setting himself up nicely to shoot, but his low effort was superbly saved by Stephen McMullan, diving sharply to his right to preserve parity.

New signing Djenairo Daniels, understandably looked short of match sharpness. The Dutch striker showed some promising touches and worked hard across the front line, but at times his play lacked the aggression and intensity needed to unsettle Waterford’s defence.

Waterford, for their part, offered little going forward. They were sluggish in possession and rarely looked like troubling Tein Troost in the City goal.

Waterford took the lead in the 52nd minute when Conan Noonan played in Thomas Lonergan, whose scuffed effort trickled beyond Tein Troost and into the net. It was a scrappy goal, but it gave the visitors something to protect as City searched for a way back. The away side nearly doubled their lead shortly after, when Ryan Burke’s cleanly struck effort fizzed just wide of the post.

City lacked clear chances for most of the second half, but a late burst of energy saw them push the visitors back with renewed purpose. They were rewarded in the 89th minute when McLaughlin coolly dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner. 

Deep into added time, Nelson kept his composure in the box to slam home the dramatic winner, sending Turner’s Cross into raptures and injecting much-needed fresh momentum into City’s stuttering season.

CITY: Troost; Mbeng, Crowley, Lyons, Couto; Bolger (Shipston 66), Mclaughlin; Murray; O’Sullivan, Nolan (Fitzpatrick 58), Daniels (Nelson 66).

WATERFORD: McMullan; Horton, Boyle, Radkowski, Burke (Leahy 79); McMenamy, Olayinka, Noonan (Glenfield 79), Coyle (Bakboord 17); Lonergan (Pouwels 85), Amond.

Referee: R Hennessy.