Courtesy of a headed Charlie Lyons goal, Cork City maintained their 100% winning record at Turner's Cross this season by overcoming Athlone Town.
This was a night which saw the home side frustrated for large spells by a stubborn Athlone defence. But it is a result the Leesides will hope ultimately proves to take them onto step closer to a Premier Division return come November.
City kept their impressive defensive record for the 2024 campaign going, having now conceded one goal from their seven league games played to date. Though they had goalkeeper Brad Wade to thank with a fantastic acrobatic save from Athlone's Daniel McKenna in the 95th minute.
Tim Clancy brought Cathal O’Sullivan into the City starting eleven after the talented teenager was on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Umder-17s last week.
Athlone had German Fuentes Rodriguez in their starting line-up, who last week during the international window lined out for El Salvador against World Cup holders Argentina.
City saw the majority of the possession during the opening quarter of an hour, but were finding clear-cut goal opportunities hard to come by.
The first shot of note arrived on 20 minutes for Athlone through Dean Ebbe, who dragged a low shot wide from outside the box.
Shortly after, City threatened through a headed effort by Cian Coleman from a Jack Doherty corner.
As City continued to try to forge an opening to no avail, Athlone almost carved out a golden chance in the 42nd minute when Aaron Connolly was played through. But City defender Charlie Lyons was alert to vitally block down inside the penalty area.
The sides went in level at the half-time break, at which point Athlone were clearly the more content of the two sides.
Daniel McKenna seeked to take matters into his own hands to open the scoring for Athlone early in the second half, while City introduced Cian Murphy into the action and he almost was in on goal after getting onto a Doherty pass, but Athlone goalkeeper Enda Minogue reacted rapidly to gather well.
Just shy of the hour mark, City threatened again when Evan McLaughlin fired wide of the mark as the home side looked to inject more urgency into their attacking play.
In the 68th minute the hosts made the breakthrough much to the delight and relief of the home support. Opening his Cork City scoring account, Lyons headed in at the near post from a corner by Doherty. The two men who were team-mates last season at Cobh Ramblers and will face their former club in the Cork derby next weekend.
Buoyed by that opener, City pushed for a second goal and Doherty threatened from a free-kick which was blocked.
Athlone almost grabbed a sensational late equaliser when a deflected McKenna strike forced a fantastic acrobatic save out of Wade.
There is a quick turnaround for both sides, with a full series of First Division fixtures on Easter Monday. City make the away trip to take on Wexford, while Athlone are at home to Treaty United.
Elsewhere in the second tier, Kerry and Wexford drew 1-1; Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers shared four goals evenly at the Carlisle Grounds. Matthew McKevitt equalised twice for the visitors after first Conor Knight and then Cole Omorehiomwan put Bray ahead.
Longford were beaten 2-1 at home by UCD and Finn Harps won 1-0 away to Treaty United thanks to an 80th-minute Tony McNamee strike.
Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin, John O'Donovan, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger, Evan McLaughlin (Barry Coffey, 62 ), Nathan Wood (Cian Murphy, HT) Jack Doherty (Jaden Umeh, 80), Josh Fitzpatrick (Niall Brookwell, 80) , Cathal O’Sullivan (Cian Bargary, 62).
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones (Brian Torre, 81), Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Dylan Gavin, 81 ), Oisin Duffy, Jamal Ibrahim (Gideon Tetteh, 57), Matthew Leal (Ruben Oliveria Ferreira, 69).
Referee: David Dunne.
