Cork City kept up the pressure on league leaders Dundalk with a comfortable win over Limerick in an uneventful Munster derby at the Markets Field.
Garry Buckley scored the only goals in a game that looked hampered by heavy scheduling.
City were forced into one change from their 4-0 win over Bray Wanderers. Conor McCormack made way for Steven Beattie after he went off with a twisted ankle against the Seagulls.
Limerick had to make do without the services of Eoin Wearen who was in as a makeshift centre half due to the ongoing injury troubles of Darren Dennehy. His suspension meant that Tony Whitehead regained his starting berth, next to Kilian Cantwell – yet another unique combination in the back four for a side who conceded goals by the bucketload to begin the season.
Danny Morrissey is one of only two Limerick players to have scored more than once all season, and the club expect a scan to confirm that the former Cork City prospect has torn his hamstring after he pulled up suddenly at the RSC. His brace brought him to five league goals for the campaign, but he’s expected to miss a few months.
The Blues were also forced into a late change as Barry Maguire failed a fitness test and was replaced by youngster Will Fitzgerald.
City boss John Caulfield won’t worry too much given his side’s prominent league position, but the Leesiders have won just two of their last seven away games in the Premier Division. They dropped just two points in their first 13 away games in last season’s campaign.
Conversely, Limerick and Bohemians are the only sides who have taken more points on their travels than at home this season – and the Blues scored more goals in the RSC on Friday than they had done at the Markets Field all campaign.
They didn’t really look like scoring in this one, either. However, their counterparts from Leeside offered as little going forward. Colm Horgan’s cross from the right flank grazed Brendan Clarke’s crossbar but that was about as dramatic as this one came in the first 45.
Cork City hadn’t scored in either of their last two away games in the league. They hadn’t failed to score in three consecutive away games since three losses against UCD, Derry and Bohs between March and April 2012.
They weren’t going to let it happen here, either. A lofted ball into the left channel was beautifully controlled by Kieran Sadlier who saw the run of in-rushing Garry Buckley. His lay-back was perfectly weighted and the midfielder finished coolly past Clarke, into the bottom corner.
The same man would go on to seal the points late on, curling a gorgeous effort into the top corner, beyond Clarke.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Kilian Cantwell, Tony Whitehead, Billy Dennehy; Conor Clifford (Karl O’Sullivan 46); Will Fitzgerald, Cian Coleman, Shane Duggan, Daniel Kearns (Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen, 55); Mark O’Sullivan.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan, Conor McCarthy, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; Jimmy Keohane, Barry McNamee; Steven Beattie (Karl Sheppard, 53), Garry Buckley, Kieran Sadlier (Michael Howard, 89); Graham Cummins (Josh O’Hanlon, 82).
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)
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