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Cork City 2-0 Ramblers
The appraisal of this game from the sideline will surely be compatible with the self-appraisal of the players themselves - beaten by the superior Cork City side on the day. A fixture switched from the FAI Grounds at Bishopstown to the nearby Farm, was played in sweltering heat, but with a surprisingly strong breeze blowing straight down the pitch - an advantage enjoyed if not availed of by City in a scoreless first-half. That is not to deny that the half was territorially dominated by the home side and the Ramblers goal lived a charmed life, notwithstanding the overall contribution of goalkeeper Kevin McCarthy, who was superb throughout and denied City a more handsome victory. A City side with a greater togetherness borne of more games played together, older in years in most cases, and something this Ramblers side has still to come to terms with is the way teams impose themselves on games by their sheer physicality - it has to be matched. It might on my behalf be stating a footballing obvious, especially against the better sides of this Division, but you have to impose yourself before you can begin to express yourself.
Timmy Kiely for City missed the proverbial sitter in the opening minute of the game, credit Kevin McCarthy in making him miscue the chance wide. Ramblers' responded with a Thomas McGrath free-kick on the left, headed back across goal and just outside the post by Peter O'Halloran. Conversely, it was the first and only genuine chance of the game enjoyed by Ramblers. Kevin McCarthy in quick succession and at point-blank range saved brilliantly from Kiely and Craig Duggan on 25 minutes, and minutes later saved a Kiely shot from longer distance. At the close of the half a Brian Murphy corner from the right was taken off the line and when returned was taken off the line a second time and 0-0 at the break was creditable and acceptable.
On the resumption any hoped for assistance from the breeze was quickly dispelled in that you also need possession of the football, and for most parts Cork City enjoyed that luxury. In the space of three second-half minutes goalkeeper Kevin McCarthy excelled himself in denying Paul Deasy twice, at first from Alan O'Connor's cross, and secondly as the ball was recycled. Then he stuck out a foot to foil midfielder Danny Lynch. When McCarthy was beaten on 66 minutes it was the result of a defensive lapse, as City sub Sean Stokes dispossessed a Ramblers defender to cross for Alan O'Connor to get beyond his marker and score inside the righthand post. It got worse on 73 minutes, as Stokes again crossed, with a mistimed attempted clearance at the back post allowing Craig Duggan to gain possession and finish inside the opposite post. Kevin McCarthy was still upbeat in his own personal performance to deny Timmy Kiely on 84 minutes, and a minute later Peter O'Halloran did enough to make Rory Morrissey shoot wide of the target from a Liam Collins through ball as City closed out the win.
Match Report by Michael Geasley
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Next Senior Game
| Saturday 4th
Sept |
| St.Pat's |
| St.Colman's
Park 7.45pm |
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