Cork City 3 Bray Wanderers 0: CORK CITY wrapped up three points in their first league game since their financial troubles became public, but although their campaign is back on track, their long-term future is still far from certain.
On a tense night, Bray had no answer and a double from Denis Behan ensured the win after Joe Gamble opened the home side's account after just a quarter of an hour.
Lawrie Dudfield made his full debut in Cork colours instead of the injured John O'Flynn, while Cillian Lordan replaced an out-of-sorts Darren Murphy on the right flank.
Meanwhile, Bray captain Alan Cawley was suspended, allowing Derek Foran to take his spot in defence.
The home side started energetically enough, proving they still had a couple of points to prove given the negative media attention surrounding the club in recent weeks. Impatient for a breakthrough, Dudfield rifled a left-footed shot straight at Alan Gough after being set up by a great bit of skill from Colin Healy in the 13th minute.
Then, two minutes later, it arrived. Gamble showed an unusual poacher's instinct when, having lurked around the edge of the six-yard box, he volleyed home Behan's cushioned lay-off from Pat Sullivan's deep cross.
It marked an emotional release of the tension that had preceded the match, as home supporters got their first real chance to vent their anger at what they see as irresponsible investment in their club.
Cork had chances to extend that lead while never looking in much danger of relinquishing it. Dudfield headed just wide on 26 minutes, while a ferocious Behan shot struck the crossbar in the 31st minute.
Just before the break, captain Dan Murray was inches wide after latching on to a nice lay-off from the chest of Colin Healy.
Bray did well to suffocate their hosts' approach play on the restart and restricted Cork to scrappy interludes of play and only one noteworthy chance 20 minutes after the break. But it was a great moment: Alan Gough showed superb agility to save Dudfield's close-range downward header.
Cork finally closed off the game with 14 minutes left. Kearney swung a good ball in from the left wing to an unmarked Behan who kept his composure to head home at the far post.
The striker then added his sixth league goal of the season six minutes later with a penalty kick which resulted from one of the Bray defenders blocking a Danny Murphy free with his hand.
The on-field stuff is in hand. As for the rest of it, it's wait and see for the angry supporters, a number of whom remained behind after the whistle.
CORK CITY: M Devine; N Horgan, D Murray, P Sullivan, Danny Murphy; C Lordan, J Gamble, C Healy (Darren Murphy, 84), L Kearney (D Ryan, 90); D Behan, L Dudfield (J O'Flynn (82).
BRAY WANDERERS: A Gough; D Pender, D Foran, G Whelan, G Cronin; P Kavanagh, D Robson, C Tresson (J Kelly, 76), M Duggan; A O'Keefe (G Coughlan, 76), G Rowe (A Myler, 90).
Referee: M Gough (Limerick).
