LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION:CRISIS CLUB Cork City stay three points clear at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table when goals in each half from Denis Behan and Colin Healy gave them a comfortable victory over struggling Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Monday’s forthcoming High Court petition by the Revenue Commissioners for the wind up of the Turner’s Cross club did not seem to affect the Cork players with Paul Doolin’s side collecting another valuable three points.
There was a minute’s applause prior to kick-off for former Bray, Drumcondra. Preston and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly snr who died in Washington DC earlier in the week. Kelly had been Honorary Life President of Wanderers.
Cork, now with a remarkable nine wins and a draw in their last 10 league games, had early chances when first Cillian Lordan cut in from the right on 20 minutes to set up a chance for Latvian striker Guntars Silagailis, only to see his effort blocked by defender Dane Massey.
From the resulting corner on the right by Healy, striker Behan shot over from close range when well placed.
Cork were quickly back on the offensive with Behan’s effort saved by Bray goalkeeper Chris O’Connor after midfielder Joe Gamble had opened up the home defence.
But Cork were not to be denied and grabbed the lead on 35 minutes after a rehearsed free-kick routine between Behan and Healy which allowed the Abbeyfeale man Healy to fire in a shot from 30 yards which took a slight deflection off Bray’s Daire Doyle into the corner of the net. It was Healy’s fourth league goal of the season.
The Leesiders looked the much stronger side in the second half when a Greg O’Halloran effort was arched just wide after a free on the left by Healy.
The visitors made victory certain when Healy added a second goal on 54 minutes when rounding OConnor to plant the ball in the Bray net after a clever ball from Behan beat the offside trap.
Despite the introduction of second-half substitutes John Mulroy and Dave O’Neill, there was no way back for Bray who stay anchored in the relegation zone after this third defeat in a row. Without ever having to move into top gear, Cork were always in the driving seat in a one-sided second half.
BRAY WANDERERS:OConnor; Webster, Foran, Deans (ONeill, 67 mins), Massey; Doyle (Mulroy, 45 mins), Shields, Mulcahy, Brennan, Kavanagh; Byrne (Kelly, 89 mins).
CORK CITY:Connor; Sullivan, Murray, OHalloran, Murphy; Healy, Gamble (Dennehy, 70 mins), Lordan; Silagailis, Behan (Kiely, 81 mins), Kuduzovic.
Referee:T Connolly (Dublin).
