On the opening night of the 2024 League Of Ireland First Division season, the Tim Clancy era as Cork City FC manager got off to a winning start against Kerry FC at Turner's Cross.
The Leesiders are fully intent on an immediate return and securing automatic promotion to the Premier Division. With the youthful flair of the likes of Cathal O'Sullivan and Jaden Umeh, combined with the experience of the likes of Sean Murray and Greg Bolger, City will hope fresh new foundations can be laid this term after suffering relegation in 2023.
At 26 years of age, Kerry boss Conor McCarthy became the youngest manager ever in the League Of Ireland. The visitors threatened and had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 10th minute, when Sean McGrath went on a fine run towards the penalty area and his strike forced a save out of new City goalkeeper Brad Wade.
City will be hoping Jack Doherty provides a spark in the attacking third of the pitch over the coming season. He duly did that on 16 minutes when he put the hosts in front. Getting onto the end of a Harry Nevin cross, midfielder Doherty controlled the ball in the box before turning and planting a low effort to the back of the net.
What a strike by Jack Doherty!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 16, 2024
Cork City 2-0 Kerry #LOITV | #CORKER pic.twitter.com/FaLXm9SkTQ
In the 26th minute City extended their advantage. After great link up play with Nathan Wood, Doherty got his second goal of the night as he showed deft footwork and maintained his composure in the box, before slotting home with precision from close range. The former Cobh Ramblers man was certainly making a good first impression in front of the Rebel Army.
It was largely comfortable for City from threat until the half time break, with that first half Doherty double ultimately having the hosts in a very commanding position, with some early evidence provided of the style of play Clancy wants to implement on Leeside.
Cork City looked to dictate tempo once more in the early stages of the second half. However on 52 minutes Kerry went close through Andrew Spain’s headed effort, but Harry Nevin made a crucial interception to clear off the line.
On the hour mark, City introduced the highly rated 15 year old Jaden Umeh into the action, with clubs such as Portuguese giant Benfica understood to be monitoring his progress.
As City went in search of a third, Nathan Wood went close through a well struck attempt from long range, while on 77 minutes Barry Coffey threatened from a decent position in the box.
With the contest into the final ten minutes, Umeh showed his potential when he fired narrowly over with an acrobatic effort from a Wood cross. While Charlie Lyons went close after firing over in second half stoppage time.
Next Friday night, City make the journey to Donegal to take on Finn Harps, when at the same time Kerry will play host to Bray Wanderers at Mounthawk Park.
Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Evan McLaughlin (Jaden Umeh, 60) , Nathan Wood, Sean Murray, Jack Doherty, Cathal O’Sullivan, Aaran Healy (Barry Coffey, 60), Matthew Kiernan.
Kerry FC: Antonio Tuta; Sean O’Connell (Ethan Kos, 66), Andrew Spain, Sean McGrath(Daire McCarthy, 66) , Ronan Teahan, Okwuy Okwute, Nathan Gleeson, Steven Healy (Kennedy Amechi, 66), Kevin Williams, Samuel Aladesanusi, Victor Udeze (Ryan Kelliher, HT).
Referee: Daniel Murphy.
Elsewhere, UCD, back in the second tier after last season's relegation, had a 2-1 win away at Bray Wanderers.
It came despite them being reduced to 10 men, following a red card for Alex Dunne on 35 minutes. Goals either side of the dismissal from Ciaran Beehan, on 21 minutes, and Harvey O'Brien on 40 had the Students in control. Ben Feeney did pull one back for Bray four minutes from time.
Athlone Town ran out 3-0 winners at home to Wexford FC. The goals came in the first half, courtesy of Noah van Geenen (12), Jamal Ibrahim (21) and Amardo Akeem Oakley (36).
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