St Patrick's Athletic 0 Cork City 1:A Danny Murphy goal on the hour mark strengthened Cork City's bid for European action as they moved up to fourth place in the Premier Division table
The visitors showed no signs of fatigue after their Setanta Cup victory at the weekend, making just one change as Darragh Ryan came in for the suspended Darren Murphy.
A couple of half chances were all a poor Richmond Park crowd had for entertainment in the first half.
Ryan Guy should have put the Saints ahead at the start of the second period after some fine work from Keith Fahey, but the American's shot flew wide to the right.
Alan Mathews' side took advantage of that let-off on the hour mark when Murphy managed to find a gap in the wall from a free-kick after Joe O'Cearuill had fouled Lawrie Dudfield on the edge of the area.
Guy should have done better from Dave Rogers' cross as John McDonnell's side chased the game, but in the end City consigned them to their third defeat in four games.
Meanwhile, Drogheda United will appeal the 10-point deduction imposed by the FAI's Independent Licensing Committee that has knocked them out of contention for European football next season.
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