Cork City 1-0 Bohemians
Cork City moved one point clear of Dundalk at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division standings with a game remaining after recording a 1-0 win over Bohemians at Turner’s Cross.
The result, coupled with Dundalk's draw in Bray, means the title will be decided when the two clubs meet at Oriel Park next Friday.
City looked tense throughout a poor first half, but found their nerves settled just on the half-time whistle when Billy Dennehy found the back of the net with a hugely-significant free-kick.
The midfielder might have made life a little easier for the largely partisan Cork crowd of 6,219 but saw a handful of efforts drift wide in the second half, while Mark O’Sullivan and Dan Murray also drew saves from Dean Delany.
City boss John Caulfield was forced into one unexpected change before kick-off, drafting Michael McSweeney in at left-back in place of the injured Ross Gaynor.
Dave Mulcahy returned from suspension for the visitors, who were missing Aidan Price and Paddy Kavanagh for that very same reason, while Craig Walsh came in for Roberto Lopes and took up a spot on the right of midfield.
Colin Healy’s early free-kick failed to find Darren Dennehy at the back post, but if the home side thought they would have it all their own way against an under-strength Bohs, they were mistaken.
In fact, in front of a jam-packed Turner’s Cross, the Leesiders looked out of sort - not helped by windy and wet weather conditions - and vulnerable at the back, especially down the right when Karl Moore picked up the ball.
The Bohs winger saw a couple of set-pieces come to naught and it was actually only as the game ticked towards half-time that either goalkeeper was brought into the contest.
First, Garry Buckley tried to edge between two Bohs defenders - only for Dean Delany to gather possession - and then O’Sullivan drew an excellent save from the Bohs netminder after being put clear through by Healy.
Despite their poor first-half display, it was City that gained the advantage just before the break.
John Kavanagh was fouled out right near the touchline, and with the help of conditions, Billy Dennehy’s free-kick deceived everyone in the Bohs area and flew into the top left of Delany’s goal from 40 yards out.
The title challengers should have moved two ahead on 50 minutes. Healy’s corner saw Murray’s toe-poke cleared off the line before O’Flynn blazed the rebound over from six yards.
Two minutes later, Billy Dennehy had the first of two further opportunities to add to his tally.
First, he curled a free-kick around Delany’s right-hand post having been fouled by Mulcahy, who was booked for the challenge.
Less than a minute later, he fired beyond the opposite post after having been released by John Dunleavy’s through ball.
Mulcahy received his marching orders on the hour mark. The defender was booked for a second time in the half for a challenge on Kavanagh, and Billy Dennehy saw his subsequent set-piece cleared off the line by veteran striker Jason Byrne.
Delany continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, scooping off his line from Billy Dennehy on 71 minutes, before saving a powerful low effort from Healy as the game headed towards added time.
However, the contest was to have one final twist as Stephen Best was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Garry Buckley.
The biggest roar of the night, however, was saved for the final whistle and a sixth win on the trot for Caulfield’s men.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Kavanagh, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, Michael McSweeney; Billy Dennehy, John Dunleavy, Colin Healy, Gary Buckley; Mark O’Sullivan, John O’Flynn (Josh O’Shea ’66). Substitutes: Cillian Morrison, Gavin Kavanagh, Dave O’Leary, Rob Lehane, Kevin O’Brien, Liam Kearney.
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Jack Memery, Anto Murphy, Dave Mulcahy, Stephen Beattie; Karl Moore, Eoin Wearen, Keith Buckley (Adam Evans ’80), Craig Walsh (Kevin Devanney ’59); Jason Byrne (Stephen Best ’80), Dinny Corcoran. Substitutes: Aaron Shanahan, Adam Evans, Stephen Best, Ryan McEvoy, Kevin Devanney, Jake Hyland.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
