Sport

Cork back on top as controversy reigns

Cork City secured the three points necessary to put them back on top of the Premier Division at Turner's Cross yesterday

Mon Mar 15 1999 - 00:00

Cork City secured the three points necessary to put them back on top of the Premier Division at Turner's Cross yesterday. However, Dundalk were left fuming after Cork were sent on their way by a controversial opening goal.

The goal came six minutes into the second half. It followed a break in play when referee John Stacey blew up after a second football, which had earlier gone into the crowd, was thrown on to the pitch.

The referee re-started the game by dropping the ball at the feet of Cork's Mark Herrick and when play developed to the point when Dundalk's Padraig Gollogley deflected a shot from Kelvin Flanagan into his own net, all hell broke loose.

Dundalk crowded round the referee in protest and manager Jim McLoughlin raced onto the pitch as well. Minutes passed before play could be resumed.

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The circumstances of the goal had a big influence on the mood of the match and within six minutes Dundalk were down to 10 men after Willie Crawley was sent off for a late challenge on Fergus O'Donoghue.

McLoughlin explained his side's view of the opening goal afterwards. "The Cork player said he would play the ball back to us and Lee Thew took a step backwards expecting him to do that, but instead Cork went down the pitch and scored.

"When something like that happens in the English Cup, Arsenal gave Sheffield United a replay and we should have a replay, but that is down to our board."

Cork disputed the issue on the basis that when the referee stopped play in the first instance they had been in possession.

Cork manager Dave Barry was more upset at the tackling that led to so many yellow cards and he said: "Some of the tackling was outrageous and disgraceful. All of those Dundalk players are on the transfer list and are fighting for contracts and some of their tackles were well out of order."

Ollie Cahill removed any doubts about the eventual result with a marvellous goal after 82 minutes when he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

CORK CITY: Mooney, Daly, Coughlan, Hill, Cronin, Flanagan, Freyne, Herrick, Cahill, Dobbs, Morley. Subs: O'Donovan for Coughlan. (32 mins), Barry Murphy for Daly (46 mins), Caulfield for Flanagan (66 mins).

DUNDALK: WIlliams, Reddish, Crowley, Gollogley, Brady, Melvin, McNulty, Thew, Ward, Fortune, Brennan. Sub: Dunne for Ward (66 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).