The local bragging rights in the First Division went to Cork City following what was a fully deserved victory over Cobh Ramblers at Turners Cross on Friday night.
This is a result that sees Tim Clancy's side remain on top of the table and also remain the only unbeaten side in the division, with City recording their sixth league victory of the campaign.
There was a minute's silence held before kick-off following the passing of Kelly Healy, the wife of former City player and manager, club legend Colin Healy.
City looked to impose their authority on their near neighbours in the early stages, with Cathal O’Sullivan shooting wide in the opening minutes.
The hosts took the lead though with just seven minutes played on the clock. The man who got it was Jack Doherty, who scored 18 goals in the First Division for Cobh last year. He was back to torment his former footballing employers.
Getting onto the end of a low cross by Cian Bargary, on hand was that man Doherty to fire home and continue his impressive start to the 2024 campaign in City colours.
Indeed the Cork stream train showed no signs of stopping and the home side got a second goal of proceedings in the 14th minute. Courtesy of another Bargary cross, on hand to slot the ball home was Barry Coffey with a clinical finish.
In what was surely one of the wettest match nights in Turners Cross for some time and with the pitch condition only worsening, Gary Hunt saw his Cobh side facing strong surges of City momentum.
Ramblers had their first chance of note midway through the opening half when a Jack Larkin shot was blocked down well by City defender Harry Nevin. Cobh were limited to only a few half chances by what was an organised Cork defence.
On the half hour mark City went again, when a Doherty attempt inside the box was saved well by Ramblers goalkeeper Darragh Burke.
City were inches from getting a third before the half time break through some wonderful footwork by Jack Doherty in the penalty area, before his strike came crashing off the crossbar.
Ramblers looked to ignite themselves into life and they went close on 65 minutes through a lovely curling strike by Jack Larkin. But City goalkeeper Brad Wade reacted well to make a fine save to tip the ball around the post.
Apart from that the City defence were showcasing why they before kick-off had conceded just two league goals this season to date.
At the other end the hosts almost got a third when Nathan Wood was denied by Ramblers shot stopper Burke, with a Coffey strike on the rebound cleared off the line byBrendeán Frahill.
But it was City who rubber stamped all three points when they got a third goal on 85 minutes.
After some great work down the left wing by Jaden Umeh, the ball was eventually planted to the net through a powerful finish by Evan McLaughlin.
City are on the road next weekend as they travel to take on UCD, with the Leesiders promotion charge showing no signs of stopping at the present moment. Next on the agenda for Ramblers will be a home game against Wexford, on their new state-of-the-art astroturf pitch at St Colman’s Park.
Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger (Oran Crowe, 89) , Evan McLaughlin, Barry Coffey (Niall Brookwell, 89), Cian Bargary (Josh Fitzpatrick, 70), Jack Doherty (Jaden Umeh, 82) , Cathal O’Sullivan (Nathan Wood, 70 ) , Cian Murphy.
Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Cian Browne, Brendeán Frahill , Dean Larkin, Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Matthew McKevitt (David Eguaibor, 83) Jack Larkin (Dan McKay, 83) , David Bosnjak (Justin Eguaibor, HT) , Charlie O’Brien, Dale Holland, Jason Abbott.
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
It was a memorable night elsewhere in Munster as Kerry earned their second ever win at League of Ireland level after beating the First Divsion's bottom side Longford Town 3-0 at Mounthawk Park.
The club from the Kingdom beat Longford's midlands rivals Athlone Town for a historic maiden win in their debut season last year, and having picked up five draws in a row prior to this Friday night, there was a sense that they were finding their feet and that a win was just around the corner.
So it proved as goals from Sean McGrath and Ryan Kelliher had young manager Conor McCarthy's 2-0 up at the break. Kennedy Amechi put the icing on the cake for Kerry with a third late on which moves them up to eighth in the table.
There was plenty of drama at Ferrycarrig Park as Wexford defeated Treaty United.
Ethan Boyle put the hosts ahead just after half-time. With ten minutes to go, Kian Corbally doubled the Wexford lead but just as they appeared to be home and hosed, Treaty struck back with two goals in as many minutes from Yousef Mahdy.
But Cian Curtis restored the Wexford lead with the eventual winner on 89 minutes.
Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers overcame Athlone Town 3-0 with Shane Griffin, Paul Murphy and Peter Grogan scoring the goals at the Carlisle Grounds.
In the early kick-off, Finn Harps and UCD shared the spoils, Ciaran Beehan levelling for the Students after Tony McNamee's early opener for the Donegal side.
