Derry City experienced what can only be described as an amazing turnaround at The Brandywell on Sunday, when losing their unbeaten home record to a never-say-die Cork City.
The Leesiders refused to throw in the towel and fought back from a 2-0 deficit to sensationally win this game four minutes from the end.
And it was a victory the visitors certainly needed to keep pace with the teams positioned at the business end of the Premier Division table.
After a nervous start, it was the home side who grabbed the initiative in the 33rd minute when Derry deservedly broke the deadlock.
Owen Morrison played Niall McGinn clear on the right flank and his low centre, across the face of the penalty area, was gleefully driven home by the advancing Gareth McGlynn.
The home side maintained the momentum following the change of ends with Cork keeper, Mick Devine, pulling off a superb one-handed save to deny Kevin McHugh before the well placed McGinn ballooned the rebound over the crossbar.
Stephen Kenny’s men doubled their advantage in the 64th minute much to the delight of the big Brandywell crowd when McGlynn robbed Danny Murphy, before playing the perfect pass into the path of McGinn and he powerfully drove an angled shot to the net from 16 yards.
However, the visitors refused to throw in the towel and they reduced the deficit in the 69th minute to ensure a nervous finish.
Liam Kearney sent Dave Mooney clear on the right and the striker skilfully chipped the ball over the advancing Gerard Doherty in the 69th minute.
And within 60 seconds a long ball from Murphy saw Mooney outwit Derry’s Peter Hutton before guiding the ball home from 16 yards to stun the home crowd.
With their tails now up, Cork squandered a glorious chance to take the lead in the 74th minute when another teasing Kearney cross was met by Cillian Lordon but he headed recklessly wide of the target.
In the 76th minute Cork went ever so close again when Mooney chipped the ball from 30 yards, the ball crashing off the upright with the Derry keeper Gerard Doherty well beaten.
But Cork substitute, Denis Behan, was hailed a hero in the 84th minute when he latched onto a long ball from defence to hook it over the Derry’s keeper’s head from 30 yard to make the long trip back to the southern capital much easier.
Derry City – Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; McGinn, Molloy, McGlynn (Martyn 83), Morrison (Deery 83); McHugh, Farren (Sammon 77)
Cork City – Devine; Horgan, Murray, Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Lordan, Gamble, Darren Murphy, Kearney; O’Flynn (Behan 32), Mooney.
Referee – D. Hancock (Dublin).
