In front of an attendance of 4,857 at Turners Cross, Cork City got their first victory since returning to the Premier Division in convincing fashion over UCD.
This was a contest which saw the Rebel Army on top from the outset and it was a much needed victory after defeats in their opening two league games, and with away trips to take on Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers over the next week.
City went close to opening the scoring early on through a shot from Aaron Bolger that was saved well by UCD goalkeeper Lorcan Healy.
However, the Leeisders did go in front on 14 minutes. Matt Healy has made a name for himself at Cork for scoring long-range efforts. He added another to the catalogue here, drilling the ball home with a fine strike from 30 yards.
Cork almost got a second midway through the opening half when Josh Honohan headed narrowly over the crossbar from a free-kick by Matt Healy.
On 36 minutes, Daniel Krezic had a golden chance to double the City lead. Reacting quickly to a UCD mistake, the Swedish attacker saw his shot saved one-on-one with the visiting shotstopper.
Ruairi Keating had another Cork opportunity that was saved well. However, City did get a second goal on the stroke of half-time. Darragh Crowley finished cooly to the bottom corner after the ball broke to his path following a corner.
Based on their opening 45-minute showing, City were decent value for their advantage at the break.
City went close early in the second half when Matt Healy blasted just over the crossbar from outside the box.
Danu Kinsella Bishop blazed over for UCD on 56 minutes, which was as close as the visiting side got to scoring.
Goal number three arrived for Cork City in the 66th minute. Keating planted a header to the back of the net from close range after a cross from Ethon Varian into his path.
On his home debut for the club, Varian marked it with a goal and City’s fourth of the night on 71 minutes, heading in well to the bottom corner of the net.
Next up for the Rebel Army is a trip to take on Shamrock Rovers on Monday night at Tallaght Stadium.
For tonight, Colin Healy will hope this result can be the shot in the arm his side needed as they adapt to life back in the Premier Division.
CORK CITY:Jimmy Corcoran; Darragh Crowley(Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh 76) , Cian Coleman,Ally Gilchrist , Josh Honohan; Matt Healy (Gordon Walker, 71), Aaron Bolger; Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey (Albin Winbo, 58) , Daniel Krezic (Ethon Varian, 57); Ruairi Keating(Tunde Owolabi, 71).
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Harvey O’Brien(Daniel Norris, 57) , Mark Dignam(Divine Izekor, 68) ; Donal Higgins, Brendan Barr(Harry O’Connor, 68) ; Alex Nolan(Samuel Clarke, 85) , Dara Keane, Ciaran Behan; Danu Kinsella Bishop (Jesse Dempsey, 57)
Referee: Sean Grant.
