Cork City hold out as Limerick fight back

LIMERICK FC 1 CORK CITY 2

Cork City scored twice in a three-minute spell inside 16 minutes and then held off a spirited second-half performance to win an exciting Munster derby at Thomond Park before 836 spectators.

An early indication that it would not be a good night for Limerick came as early as the eight minute when Robbie Williams was forced to exit the stage through injury and was replaced by Patrick Nzuzi.

Brian Lenihan shot over for Cork after 11 minutes but the visitors went in front after 13 minutes when Mark O’Sullivan dispossessed Sam Oji and his cross was tucked past Barry Ryan by Garry Buckley.

Cork doubled the score three minutes later. A misdirected pass by Shane Duggan reached O’Sullivan and this time he created the chance for Billy Dennehy.

Prince Agyemang had two chances for Limerick, one was blocked by a defender and the other flew over the bar.

Limerick must have got a roasting during the break as they started the second half in style, with McNulty denying Gaffney but there was noting he could do after 51 minutes when the Tuam native headed in from a Tracy corner.

O’Sullivan fluffed a header from six yards which could have wrapped it up on the hour for Cork.

Limerick kept up the pressure and an effort was deflected off .
LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Kelly, Folan, Oji, Williams (Nzuzi 7), Hughes, Gaffney, Duggan, Agyemang, Tracy (Galbraith 56), McManus (Mann 80).
CORK CITY: McNulty, Dunleavy, Dennehy (D), Davoren, Murray, Lenihan (Lehane 70), Healy, Dennehy (B), Buckley (Kearney 76), Morrissey, O'Sullivan.
Referee P McLaughlin.