Cork City - 1 Dublin City - 0: The Eircom League championship flag was proudly paraded in front of the 3,800 Cork fans in Turner's Cross last night where the home side were made battle by a committed Dublin City before claiming all three points.
Cork appeared to take inspiration from the brief flag-waving ceremony as they dominated early in the game but they had reason to be thankful for an early penalty decision that went their way as Dublin City came roaring back into the contest.
George O'Callaghan got his season off to a flying start with a goal from the penalty, which was awarded five minutes after the kick-off, to set the tone for Cork's early excellence.
In truth it was a debatable decision by the referee as Paul Crowley charged down a shot from O'Callaghan and the ball hit him on the hand.
O'Callaghan drove the penalty past goalkeeper Gary Rogers with complete authority and set the scene for an opening salvo from Cork that threatened to overwhelm Dublin. They dictated the pace and flow of the game from midfield where Joe Gamble was in outstanding form while Dublin struggled to counter the speed of John O'Flynn and Roy O'Donovan. Neale Fenn twice came close and could have been awarded a penalty.
Yet Dublin's aggressive approach had the effect of drawing the fire from Cork's play and knocked them out of their passing game.
Dublin City grew in confidence and they were almost in for an equaliser in the 64th minute. David Freeman found David McGill on the edge of Cork's penalty area and goalkeeper Michael Devine had to scramble to save the left-footed shot.
Cork regained a grip in the closing quarter and O'Flynn tested Rogers with a powerful, left-footed shot from 30 yards in the 85th minute.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; O'Donovan, O'Brien, Gamble, O'Callaghan; Fenn, O'Flynn. Sub: Behan for Fenn (73 mins).
DUBLIN CITY: Rogers; Brennan, Malcolm, Keely, Doyle; Crowley, Whelehan. Shiels, McGill; Collins, Freeman. Sub: Pender for Shiels (58 mins).
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
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