Cork sustain tempo

Cork City 2  St Patrick's Athletic 1Cork City made it eight matches without defeat in the National League at Turner's Cross last night.

St Patrick's defence was stretched regularly during the opening half when Cork played exciting football at a high tempo.

Colin O'Brien and George O'Callaghan controlled the game in midfield and, with Cork's attacking players in form, they gave the St Patrick's defence a torrid time.

They looked certain to score after 12 minutes when Michael Nwankwo took a headed pass from Neale Fenn before releasing John O'Flynn with a glorious through ball. O'Flynn raced clear but then scuffed his shot across goalkeeper Chris Adamson and wide.

Cork's early pressure always promised a goal and it duly arrived in the 16th minute. Dan Murray was in the St Patrick's penalty area to meet a right-wing free from O'Callaghan and his header had Adamson at full stretch to turn the ball against the upright. As it fell, O'Flynn caught it on his chest to force it over the goal line

St Patrick's were always dangerous from dead-ball situations and Keith Fahy's excellent deliveries were full of potential.

They eventually got one right in the 33rd minute when Fahy's free from the wing was met by powerful Darragh Maguire header.

Cork's response was swift and effective. Woods raced 30 yards at the heart of the St Patrick's defence and he timed his pass perfectly to give Fenn the opportunity to shoot past Adamson from 12 yards.

Cork spurned another within 60 seconds of the re-start when Nwankwo traded passes with Fenn and shot straight into the arms of Adamson.

They nearly paid a heavy price for that miss when Aidan O'Keeffe had strong appeals for a penalty denied in the 62nd minute when he appeared to be impeded by Alan Bennett.

CORK CITY: Devine; O'Halloran, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; Woods, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Nwankwo; Fenn (Sweeney 80), O'Flynn.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; Quigley, Foley, Maguire, El Khebir (O'Keeffe 60); Dunne, Fahy, Osam (Rose 80), Des Byrne; Bird, N'do.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).