Cork City hold out for win despite nervy second half against Athlone Town
Cork City’s Ruairí Keating shoots at goal during their League of Ireland First Division clash with Finn Harps at Turner's Cross. Picture: Noel Sweeney
Three points banked, but little else to be said about this Cork City performance.
Their First Division title bid rolls on, but this was an awkward one. Given Athlone Town had gifted the hosts the first two goals at Turner’s Cross on Monday and City had added a third by the half-hour mark, they should have been out of sight.
Instead, they almost capitulated.
Two Athlone blunders helped City to a 2-0 lead after 12 minutes, the first goal arriving inside 180 seconds when Jonathon Kehir passed back to goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, who then gifted it straight to Darragh Crowley while trying to find Aaron Connolly.
Crowley quickly passed to Cillian Murphy who squared it across the box to an unmarked Keating, and he finished to the open net.
Then, another error from Clarke saw him gift City a throw in, and while Athlone won back possession, it would be coughed up again, this time by Josh Farnham, as he passed it straight to Niall O’Keeffe.
O’Keeffe played Hans Mpongo through, and while he still had work to do to find space, his shot deflected off James Crawford and went in after 12 minutes.
The rain grew heavier and with that Athlone found their footing, largely thanks to Gradi Lomboto, who looked their only real threat in the opening spell.
In the 27th minute Lomboto came very close when his effort hit the post, and a minute later he was in again for a chance that was deflected out for a corner. Then, against the run of play, City got in for their third goal, Josh Fitzpatrick and Murphy involved in the buildup as Keating finished beautifully into the corner with 32 minutes gone.
Lomboto charged back at the other end to force a huge save from Brann in the 39th minute, and it was a let off for the Leesiders after completely switching off in defence.
City wouldn’t learn from the warning though, and paid the price in the 42nd minute. After a pathetic string of attempted clearances, the ball fell for Lomboto who shot on the half volley. His shot was straight at Brann but the City goalkeeper spilled it, and only Peter Grogan reacted to it; City’s defenders were completely still.
Grogan converted with ease.
It should have kicked City into gear, but they looked even more uncomfortable on the restart. They were dominated across much of the second half.
Connolly threatened in the 47th minute with a free kick attempt that he almost curled in, while Brann was forced to produce a monstrous save from Farnham four minutes later, as the hosts again avoided being punished for switching off at the back.
The visitors eventually get their second goal on their hour mark as an unchallenged Grogan headed home from a corner, and suddenly Athlone were back in it. City, clearly shaken, managed to avoid the concession of a third.
They had a couple of chances themselves, Murphy had squared for Keating in the 70th minute but he couldn’t connect, then 12 minutes later Crowley had a deflected effort saved.
And while Athlone continued to pry away, they lacked the quality needed to find an equaliser.
Brann; Lyons (Nevin 53), Kelleher, Feely; Fitzpatrick (Maguire 53), Crowley, O’Keeffe, Drinan; Murphy; Mpongo, Keating.
Clarke; Farnham (K O’Connor HT), Crawford, E O’Connor, Kehir; McManus, Connolly; Brennan (Tollett 75), Smith (Ferry 69), Lomboto; Grogan.
M Lynch (Galway)
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