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Cork City prove too good for Bray at Turner's Cross

Sean Murray opened the scoring for the hosts
Sean Murray opened the scoring for the hosts

For Tim Clancy and Cork City the ultimate season objective is simple,automatic promotion back to the head table of Irish football.

On Friday night at Turner's Cross against Bray Wanderers, the Leesiders recorded their fourth league win of the season from five matches. Although still early days in the season, City once again justified why they are First Division title favourites with what was overall a solid collective display.

Cork looked to commence with intent and they took the lead in the sixth minute. After Bray goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran could only parry away a low Evan McLaughlin effort, on hand to apply the finishing touches from close range was Sean Murray.

The home side played with a swagger and were hungry for more, with John O'Donovan shooting wide from outside the box. Indeed City were showing high levels of confidence and composure with and without possession, with Bray unable to break through a firm rear-guard.

Seventeen-year-old year old Cathal O’Sullivan has been earmarked for a very bright future in the game. In the 15th minute he showed why he is such a highly rated talent by putting City two goals ahead.

With a neat ball over the top by Greg Bolger setting him away, O’Sullivan dashed away quickly before smashing the ball to the roof of the net from an acute angle for his first league goal for the Leesiders..

It was turning into a dominant opening half for the home side and they threatened to get a third through a shot by Murray was saved by Bray goalkeeper Corcoran.

Max Murphy looked to take matters into his own hands at the end of the opening forty five for the away side with a long range strike. But after an impressive first half it was City that held a commanding advantage.

There was an improvement from the visitors early in the second half, as from an Evan Osam cross, Guillermo Almirall saw his header palmed onto the crossbar by Cork goalkeeper Brad Wade.

Although City were still holding firm, Bray fired a warning shot and went close on 67 minutes, as Wade was forced to make a good save to deny Killian Cantwell from a Murphy corner kick. The Wicklow side saw plenty of possession in the second half and Josh McGlone also headed just wide from a Callum Thompson cross on 76 minutes.

With the contest approaching the final minute of normal time, City nearly got a third when Jack Doherty went close from an indirect free kick in the box.

It may only be March, but even at this juncture the early evidence suggests Cork will take some stopping in their pursuit of promotion back to the Premier Division.

A Munster Derby away to Treaty United is next on the agenda for Cork City next Friday night and with Tommy Barett’s Treaty side starting the season well, it promises to be a compelling encounter.

While at the same time Bray will play host to Wexford, with Ian Ryan hoping to see his side get their campaign back on track.

Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin, John O’Donovan, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger, Evan McLaughlin(Niall Brookwell ,70 ), Nathan Wood(Jaden Umeh, 80) Sean Murray(Oran Crowe,84) , Jack Doherty, Cathal O’Sullivan.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Evan Osam (Zach Nolan, 76), Killian Cantwell (Kieran Cruise, 76), Cole Omorehiomwan(Alain Kizenga , 84 ), Guillermo Almirall(Josh McGlone, 76) Harry Groome, Callum Thompson, Freddie Turley, Paul Murphy, Peter Grogan (Thomas Morgan, 60).

Referee: Mark Houlihan.


UCD ended a three-game losing streak in decisive fashion with a routine 3-0 home win over Athlone Town at UCD Bowl this evening.

The Students led 2-0 inside the opening 25 minutes, Cian Behan and Mikey Raggett putting them ahead early. Dylan Hand's 37th minute red card left things looking inescapably gloomy for the midlanders.

Jake Doyle rounded off the win late on to push William O'Connor's side up to fourth.


David Cawley's strike at the death gave Finn Harps a dramatic comeback win over Wexford FC in Ferrycarrig Park.

The Ballybofey side struggled to raise a gallop in the first half, Cian O'Malley putting the hosts in front on the 13th minute.

But Darren Murphy's side, who lost at home to Cobh last time out, equalised shortly after the restart through Patrick Ferry.

We appeared set for a draw until Sligo Rovers stalwart Cawley, in his first season in Donegal, settled the encounter on the 89th minute.


Kerry FC earned their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers in Mounthawk Park.

The home side enjoyed the lead for a four-minute spell, Ryan Kelliher tapping home on 71 minutes after brilliant work from Sean McGrath to carve open the chance.

They had less than 20 minutes of normal time to hold out but lasted only four, James O'Leary hitting back for Cobh with a quarter of an hour remaining.

A point for the home side, for whom last May's 3-2 win over Athlone Town remains their only victory in League of Ireland football.

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