Cork City battle hard against Derry City but fall to costly defeat at Turner's Cross

Cork City 1 Derry City 2

In front of a crowd of 2,736 at Turner’s Cross, Cork City produced a spirited second-half performance but ultimately came up short against a clinical Derry City side. 

After being second-best in the opening 45 minutes, Tim Clancy’s men roared into life after the break and looked the more likely side to win the game after Djenairo Daniels levelled. However, a header from Kevin Holt sealed all three points for the visitors.

Roy Keane was once again in attendance at Turner’s Cross, drawing plenty of attention from the home supporters. The Corkman was kept busy before kick-off, spending much of the pre-match period signing autographs and posing for photos with City fans.

Cork City made one change to the starting 11 from Monday’s defeat to Drogheda United, with Milan Mbeng returning to the side after missing the last two games through injury. He replaced Kitt Nelson who dropped to the bench. 

The headline team news, however, was the long-awaited return of Seani Maguire, who was named in the matchday squad for the first time in 12 games following his injury lay-off. Maguire was joined on the bench by Greg Bolger, who also made his return to the fold.

City were let off the hook within minutes of kick-off when Liam Boyce headed against the post from close range, missing what looked like a certain goal after a well-worked move from Derry. That early warning set the tone for a first half dominated by the visitors, who looked sharper, more cohesive, and tactically superior throughout. 

Derry clearly identified City’s right flank as an area to exploit, repeatedly attacking down that side with pace and purpose. City struggled to gain any control, spending large spells of the half chasing shadows as Derry dictated the tempo and territory.

Liam Boyce, in particular, was a constant thorn in City’s side. Leading the line with power and intelligence, the experienced striker held the ball up well, linked play effectively, and caused all sorts of problems for the City defence. 

His goal, when it came, was a deserved reward for a dominant display. Gavin Whyte latched on to a pass over the top of the City defence and clipped a ball into the City six-yard penalty, with Tein Troost completely stranded after coming off his line to close down Whyte, only to find himself too far off the Derry winger. 

That left Boyce with the simple task of nodding into the empty net and giving Derry the lead they had threatened from the outset.

The second half was a completely different story from the first. City came out with far greater purpose and intensity, taking the game to Derry from the restart. They created their first big chance when Cathal O’Sullivan latched onto a loose ball inside the box, but his shot was straight at Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher. 

Moments later, O’Sullivan delivered a superb low cross from the right which Daniels met with a tidy finish, steering the ball beyond Maher to score his third goal in two games and bring City level.

Buoyed by the goal, City kept the pressure on, unsettling Derry with their high press and energy. The visitors, who had looked so composed in the first half, began to wobble under the intensity. But just as City looked to be on top, Derry found a second wind. Michael Duffy tested Tein Troost with a low effort which the City keeper did well to stop.

Before from a Derry corner, Holt rose highest to power a header into the net and give the visitors all three points.

CITY: Troost, Mbeng, Anderson (Nelson 46), Lyons; Nevin, McLaughlin (Shipston 67), Crowley (Bolger 67), Murray, Kiernan (Maguire 90); O’Sullivan, Daniels (Skieters 70).

DERRY: Maher, Cann, Connolly, Holt; R Boyce (Benson 53), O’Reilly, Winchester (Harkin 83), Todd; Duffy, Whyte (McMullan 65); L Boyce (Mullen 65).

Referee: D Toland.