Cork City errors prove costly in Waterford as they lose again
Cathal O'Sullivan of Cork City reacts after his side concede a second goal to Waterford. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Cork City’s struggles on the road continued on Friday night as they slumped to a sixth successive away defeat, against Waterford at the RSC.
The result means City remain winless away from Turner’s Cross this season and stay rooted to the bottom of the table, five points adrift of Sligo Rovers, who host Derry City on Saturday night.
Despite several changes to the starting 11, including competitive debuts for David Odumosu and Rory Feely and a first start for new captain Fiacre Kelleher, City’s errors in possession once again proved costly.
City made a positive start to the game and had the first real opportunity inside five minutes when Fiacre Kelleher, found himself in space inside the Waterford penalty area but blazed his volley well over the bar. It was a lively opening, and Waterford soon responded with a chance of their own, but Thomas Lonergan couldn’t make clean contact and bundled his effort wide. Ryan Burke then went close for the home side with a glancing header that just evaded the far post.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute, and it was another moment to forget for City’s defence. Kelleher, under no immediate pressure, opted for a risky pass into Evan McLaughlin who had little time or space. McLaughlin was quickly dispossessed by Sam Glenfield, who took a touch and curled a brilliant strike into the top corner from the edge of the area, giving David Odumosu no chance on his competitive debut.
It was another example of City’s repeated issues trying to play out from the back, with poor decision-making once again proving costly. While some may argue McLaughlin should have been stronger, he was put in a terrible position by his teammate’s pass.
To their credit, City looked to respond quickly. Malik Dijksteel produced a brilliant solo run, weaving past several Waterford players, but his tight-angled shot rolled just wide. Despite that spark, Waterford doubled their lead before the break. Grant Horton delivered a cross from the right, and Lonergan met it superbly with a looping header that floated over Odumosu and nestled into the far corner.
City nearly found a lifeline just before half-time when Kitt Nelson forced Stephen McMullan into a fine save, but McLaughlin fired the rebound over via a deflection off the bar.
The second half began in scrappy fashion, with neither side able to stamp their authority on the game as passes went astray and chances were limited. Cathal O’Sullivan offered a rare moment of quality when his curling effort from the edge of the box forced a fine save from Stephen McMullan.
Kelleher had a decent headed chance from a Kitt Nelson corner but glanced it wide Feely made a vital block to deny Jesse Dempsey a third for the hosts, throwing himself in the way of the shot. Charlie Lutz had City’s best opening when through on goal, but his low near-post shot was well saved by McMullan.
City lacked composure in the final third. Waterford comfortably saw out the contest, as City’s lack of urgency and cutting edge in the closing stages ensured their wait for an away win continues.
McMullan; Burke, Horton, Boyle, Leahy; White (Dempsey 58), McDonald (McMenamy 83), Noonan (McCormack 83) Glenfield (Olayinka 45); Lonergan, Amond.
Odumosu; Crowley, Feely (M Murray 76), Kelleher, Kiernan; Bolger (Anderson 29), McLaughlin, Nelson; O’Sullivan, Maguire (Lutz 64), Dijksteel.
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