Cork City hang on for first league win since April with defeat of Galway

Cork City 1 Galway United 0 

Cork City’s third win of the season. Just their second Premier Division clean sheet. Their first victory under Ger Nash. City’s 1-0 win over Galway United at Turner’s Cross on Friday night was fully deserved.

It’s been a brutal week. A crushing defeat to Sligo. An ACL injury to Cathal O’Sullivan. The messy departures of Milan Mbeng and Malik Dijksteel. But an inspiring performance, led by Josh Fitzpatrick, gave the Rebel army something to smile about.

It was a long time coming. It may even be too late. The gap to Sligo Rovers in ninth now stands at eight points, but the Bit O’Red have a game in hand.

A Galway United outfit travelling to the Cross with no wins in five gave Ger Nash’s side the chance to make amends for last week’s collapse.

It couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for City.

With less than five minutes elapsed, Matthew Kiernan passed to Fitzpatrick, as City tried to work it into the box. With distance to goal, he cut in and closed the angle. No Galway defender came to meet him. He let one fly. Fitzpatrick’s right-footed shot flew into the far corner and the Shed End erupted.

Captain Fiacre Kelleher had a penalty shout waved away in the 11th minute. The injury he incurred in that challenge meant he would be replaced by Freddie Anderson 17 minutes later.

But there were chances aplenty for both teams.

Galway, as error-strewn as they’ve been in recent weeks, looked threatening. In the 22nd minute, Edward McCarthy teed up Robert Burns for a close-range attempt but Rory Feely made a commanding block. A minute later, Jeannot Esua’s cross in found Stephen Walsh but Conor Brann made a big save to turn it around for a corner.

Brann was called into action again in the 36th minute as he denied Hurley once more – this time from a header – which he held.

City continued to be proactive in possession, though, carving open their opponents wherever possible.

Harry Nevin was busy down the right. Fitzpatrick was active on the left. After brilliant work to get the low cross away, Fitzpatrick almost set Maguire up for a tap in, but it was a touch ahead of the City striker.

In the 40th minute, it was United’s turn again. Jimmy Keohane’s ball in from a free kick was beautifully weighted. Colm Horgan rose to meet it. Again, Brann saved, preserving City’s lead until the break.

On the resumption, Kitt Nelson had an effort go wide, before dispossessing Esua and surging forward. He threaded the ball through to Evan McLaughlin but David Hurley positioned himself perfectly to block the shot.

From there, it was Galway United applying the pressure. But defensively, City stood firm. McLaughlin commanding in midfield, Nevin assured down the right. But it was Fitzpatrick, whose press and energy simply never wavered. He was outstanding.

In the 71st minute, the visitors had their best chance go astray. Patrick Hickey’s close range shot was touched out for a corner. With each passing minute, City’s defensive wall grew stronger. And the supporters in full voice behind them added further fortification.

Galway fought hard. But City were not going to let this one get away from them. Ten minutes on and still no breakthrough for the visitors. Walsh’s skied volley in the 87th minute was another one of many wasted chances.

Even with seven minutes added on, City kept their cool. A huge effort and result.

There’s a chance, however slim.

CORK CITY: Brann; Kiernan, Feely, Kelleher (Anderson 28, inj), Nevin; Crowley, McLaughlin; Fitzpatrick (Couto 90+2), Nelson (Kamara 62), Nolan (Lutz 62); Maguire.

GALWAY UNITED: Clarke; Burns (Piesold 85), Slevin, Buckley, Esua; McCarthy (Bolger 56), Hurley, Horgan (Hickey HT); McGuinness (Brouder 71), Walsh, Keohane (Borden 71).

Referee: A O’Dowd (Dublin)