Cork City 2-1 Drogheda United
Cork City moved level on points with Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Dundalk after a 2-1 win over Drogheda United at a sodden Turner's Cross, through goals from captain John Dunleavy and Mark O'Sullivan.
In an absorbing clash, the home manager John Caulfield won out against his former Cork City boss, Damien Richardson, who was in the away dugout, in front of a crowd of 3,023.
Drogheda substitute Declan O'Brien notched his side's goal late on to ensure a nervy finish for the home side.
The home side started with a lopsided 4-4-2 with forward John O'Flynn sometimes drifting to the right wing. The visitors played in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Michael Daly playing as a holding midfielder.
City started the game on the front foot without creating any clear-cut chances, although attacking midfielder Garry Buckley had a snap-shot easily saved after eight minutes.
Shortly after that, the Rebels opened the scoring with a fine first-time strike from outside the box by captain Dunleavy, who celebrated his new contract in style.
After a cross from the left wing, the ball was laid off to him outside the box by Garry Buckley. Dunleavy finished smartly, guiding the ball inside the near post of Drogs 'keeper Micheal Schlingermann at pace.
Cork continued to put pressure on the visitors, with a series of diagonal long balls dropped in on the Drogheda rearguard. Billy Dennehy was also threatening, while Drogs' forward Gavin Brennan was left with little support.
As the half progressed, the away side managed to work their way into the game and were getting on top near the end, but had little to show for it, bar a few hopeful shots from distance.
Cork had the perfect start to the second half when striker Mark O'Sullivan scored from an acute angle after a long ball forward was missed by defender Ciarán McGuigan.
That left O'Sullivan up against centre-back Alan McNally and the Corkman held off his challenge and slotted home his 12th in the league this season in composed fashion despite being forced very wide, .
Drogheda soon made changes, bringing in Adam Wixted and Declan O'Brien and dominated possession, again without creating many clear cut chances.
Their challenge suffered a hammer-blow, however, when Brennan was correctly sent off by referee David McKeon for a very poor challenge on Cork substitute Josh O'Shea after 76 minutes.
Thereafter, City were comfortable until Drogheda managed to score through O'Brien, who poked home on 81 minutes after Garry Buckley turned over the ball in midfield to cause Cork concern late on.
Ultimately, Cork City held on, after a tense finish to the game.
Cork City: Mark McNulty, John Kavanagh, John Dunleavy (C), Darren Dennehy, John O'Flynn (Josh O'Shea 62), Ross Gaynor, Dan Murray, Billy Dennehy (Rob Lehane 91), Dave O'Leary (Michael McSweeny 86), Mark O'Sullivan, Garry Buckley.
Drogheda United: Michéal Schlingermann, Micheal Daly, Shane Grimes (C), Alan McNally, Gavan Holohan (Paul Andrews 85), Cathal Brady (Adam Wixted 60), Gavin Brennan, Ciarán McGuigan, Stephen Maher (Declan O'Brien 67), Carl Walshe, Daire Doyle.
Referee: David McKeon
