Derry City climb to second in the Premier Division with victory in Cork

Cork City 1

Derry City 2

Derry City made it three league wins in a row for the first time in 11 months to climb to second place in the Premier Division. 

Goals from Liam Boyce and Kevin Holt helped the Candystripes to a third successive victory at Turner's Cross with only goal difference from Shamrock Rovers keeping them off top spot. 

Cork City goalkeeper Tein Troost found himself in no man’s land as Derry City took the lead on 24 minutes. Gavin Whyte raced to chase a long ball from Hayden Cann, only to see Troost coming to the very edge of his area unnecessarily. Whyte took full advantage of the goalkeeper’s rush of blood as he crossed the ball over his head right into the heart of the area where Liam Boyce had the simple task of heading in his fourth goal of the season.

Set pieces were a real area of concern for Cork City, who were defending well, but were nearly caught out regardless with half-time approaching. Michael Duffy’s corner went straight to the head of Sam Todd, who powered a header goalwards, and it was heading into the net but for the interception of Djenairo Daniels, who hacked the ball away at the crucial moment.

Derry had the ball in the net for a second time in the early stages of the second half. Michael Duffy got a second chance after a poor delivery from a corner and his cross found Ronan Boyce, whose downward header beat Troost and was finished off by Liam Boyce on the line, but an offside flag against the defender denied the visitors.

It took the home side an hour before they could test Brian Maher, and it was a decent effort from Cathal O’Sullivan, who tried his luck from the angle, forcing Maher to push the ball away.

The Cork man had better luck just 60 seconds later as a quick throw-in found O’Sullivan free on the left and his whipped cross found Daniels coming in at the near post and he guided the ball into the net past Maher from close range to make it 1-1.

Derry City eventually responded and Duffy almost restored their lead with a wicked free kick that threatened to curl in the bottom corner only for Troost to turn it behind for a corner.

There was nothing that Troost could do just two minutes later however as Derry City restored their lead, Duffy’s corner met with a bullet header from Holt, who powered in his first goal for the club from close range.

Teams

Cork City: Troost, Nevin, Lyons, McLaughlin (Bolger 67’), O’Sullivan, S Murray, Crowley (Shipston 67’), Mbeng, Kiernan (Maguire 90’), Anderson (Nelson HT’), Daniels (Skieters 71’).

Derry City: Maher, Todd, R Boyce (Benson 53’), Cann, Connolly, Holt, Winchester (Harkin 84'), O’Reilly, Duffy, Whyte (McMullan 64’), L Boyce (Mullan 64’).

Referee: Declan Toland.