Cork City moved to within seven points of the leaders Bohemians after they thumped local rivals Cobh Ramblers in front of 4,000 fans at Turner's Cross.
John O'Flynn volleyed Cork in front after 24 minutes and Dave Mooney scored from close range five minutes before the break, as City were cruising at half time.
They added three more goals in the second half, Liam Kearney rounded goalkeeper McCarthy for City's third, Mooney belted home his second to make it 4-0. Kearney completed the scoring six minutes from time, shooting past the stranded McCarthy.
Ramblers had their problems with suspensions for the match, manager Stephen Henderson had to watch from the grandstand as he was serving the first of a four match touchline ban picked up when sent from the pitch for protesting in the recent defeat in Derry.
The visitors were also without centre back and top scorer Kevin Murray, and Kieran O'Rielly who were both also serving bans, these two players had scored six of Ramblers poor total of seven goals in the their 14 league outings.
Cork without the suspended midfielder George O'Callaghan almost jumped in front after 23 minutes when Liam Kearney belted a cross shot inches wide of James McCarthy goal before they took the lead sixty seconds later with a fine goal.
Gamble, who has apparently been offered a lucrative three-year contract by St Patrick's Athletic, split the Cobh defence with a great pass and found John O'Flynn who volleyed a cracking goal from 16 yards past the diving McCarthy.
It was O'Flynn's fourth goal of the season and his 68th league goal for Cork in 145 league matches, and he then saw Cork stretch that lead five minutes before half time.
Liam Kearney then set up top scorer Dave Mooney who showed good close control in the penalty box before shooting to the net from eight yards for his eight league goal of the campaign.
Alan Matthews side were now comfortable and playing good football and they wrapped up the points after 55 minutes when former U-21 international Kearney rounded goalkeeper McCarthy before shooting past a couple of Ramblers defenders on the goal line.
Dave Mooney then scored his second and Cork's fourth goal after 67 minutes and really the Cobh defence did not help their goalkeeper, as the Cork striker chased a long ball, and then ran along the goalline before shooting high to the roof of McCarthy's net.
With Cobh pushing on in search of a consolation goal they were caught on the break, as Mooney ran over the half way line before setting up the unmarked Kearney who struck a fine shot beyond McCarthy for Cork's biggest win of the season.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Healy, Gamble, Darren Murphy, Kearney; Mooney, O'Flynn.
Substitutes; Lordan for Horgan 72 mins, Behan for O'Flynn85, Myler for Darren Murphy 82, O'Connor, McNulty.
COBH RAMBLERS: J McCarthy; Carey, Guthrie, B McCarthy, J Meade; A Kearney, J Kearney, O'Shea, Mulconry, O'Neill; Cummins.
Subs; Cambridge for A Kearney 65, Coleman, C Meade for Mulconry 60, S Barrett, R Lally.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
