Cork slump to fourth defeat

CORK CITY slumped to their fourth successive league defeat when they went down to newly promoted Finn Harps at Turner's Cross yesterday.

After a scoreless first half, Pierce Walsh scored the game's only goal direct from a 55th minute free kick to give Harps their second win in a row and leave Cork pointless and rooted to the bottom of the Premier Division.

Cork ended the match with just nine players after Ollie Cahill and David Hill were both sent off within a minute of each other midway through the second half.

Cahill was red carded for retaliation after being fouled by Stephen Kelly in the 68th minute, while Hill, who had been booked earlier for a foul on Kelly, was yellow carded again for foul and abusive language which was directed at a linesman.

Cork, who qualified for the League Cup semi finals with a 3-0 away win over league champions, St Patrick's Athletic in midweek, had two claims for penalties turned down as well.

Their last chance to salvage a point arrived two minutes from time but Derek Coughlan headed Garth Cronin's corner kick over the bar.

Cork were also close to a goal after 65 minutes when another Cronin corner was headed goalwards by Kelvin Flanagan but Marty McCann cleared off the line.