Cork City return to top of Premier Division

Cork City 2
UCD 1
Despite going behind early, Cork City returned to the top of the Premier League after a hard-fought victory against UCD at Turner's Cross.

Robbie Creevy fired the Students into the lead after six minutes, but just after the half-hour mark the game was changed as last-man Hugh Douglas fouled Mark O'Sullivan in the UCD box, giving him a red card and Billy Dennehy a chance to score his 10th goal of the season.

Despite City’s dominance they didn’t take the lead until 15 minutes from the end, Mark O’Sullivan heading Colin Healy’s corner in at the near post.

Despite the two goals it was the goalkeepers who dominated the opening period, both Conor O'Donnell and Mark McNulty pulled off excellent saves to curtail the first-half scoring.

City had the best of the opening exchanges after going behind, and O’Sullivan, Healy and Dan Murray all had good chances to level proceedings.

At the other end Mark McNulty’s stop denied Creevy a second from a header.

Gareth Mathews denied Josh O’Shea his first league goal just after the break, clearing off the line, before substitute Rob Lehane blasted over from 15 yards as the away net began to look more vulnerable.

John O'Flynn had two excellent chances to put polish on the result. First he couldn't get a touch at the back post and then was robbed by O'Donnell moments later when he had a clear scoring chance. O'Donnell was the star of the show, making two fine saves from Liam Kearney and John O'Flynn in the later moments.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Healy, Murray, D Dennehy, B Dennehy; Lenihan, Buckley (Morrison 75'), O'Leary (O'Flynn 45'), Kearney; O'Shea (Lehane 60'), O'Sullivan.
UCD: O'Donnell; Matthews, Langtry, Douglas, Kavanagh; Crowe, Creevy (Coyne 46'), Benson, Belhout, Cannon (Simon 73'); Molloy (Ben Mohamed 66').
Referee: James McKell (Tipperary)