Cork City close gap on Dundalk to five points

Cork City 3 St Patrick’s Athletic 1

Cork City recorded a second win over St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross in 11 days as they moved to within five points of Premier Division leaders Dundalk.

John Caulfield's side, who have now won three in a row since losing to Limerick, always looked likelier winners here, pressing hard before captain Alan Bennett's opener and then pushing 3-0 in front before Morgan Langley gave the visitors some hope when he pulled a goal back in the 65th minute.

Mark O'Sullivan was denied by Brendan Clarke in the first minute, with further chances for Garry Buckley and Kevin O'Connor as the Pat's keeper proved his worth.

Clarke couldn’t reach Billy Dennehy’s cross after a corner on 22 minutes, however, and Bennett was on hand to finish from close range. Six minutes later, the lead was doubled as O’Connor profited from good work by O’Sullivan to slot home.

City made it 3-0 just before the hour when Darren Dennehy headed Garry Buckley's corner home. Langley did get a Pat's response, but they couldn't avoid a fourth defeat in a row.

CORK CITY: McNulty; McSweeney, Bennett, D Dennehy, Gaynor; Healy (Kearney half-time), O'Connor (Coleman 90); B Dennehy (O'Flynn 82), Buckley, Sheppard; O'Sullivan.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O'Brien, McGuinness, Desmond, Bermingham; Byrne; Chambers, McEleney (Bolger 42), Verdon (Markey 75), Langley; McGrath.

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).

Attendance: 2,017.