CORK CITY 2-1 FC CARLOW

FC Carlow travelled to Bishopstown last Sunday to take on Cork City in a game of huge importance. A win for Carlow would put them in real contention for qualification and likewise for the group leaders, Cork, three points would virtually guarantee them a place in the quarter final.

Unfortunately for FC Carlow, the game didnt go quite as scripted, a couple of mistakes, a couple of injuries, a sending off and some bad luck saw the home side come out on top.

Both teams played a neat passing game in what was an evenly contested first half. It wasn’t until the 35th minute before City opened the scoring. A good through ball beat the Carlow offside trap with Stephen O’Driscoll running clear of the defence. His shot from close range was parried by Jeff Moran to the feet of Paul Deasy who tucked it home to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

FC Carlow responded very well and almost equlaised minutes later when Adam Byrne found himself with a free header on the six yard box from a Jimmy Dermody free kick, but Byrne headed straight into the arms of the Cork keeper. As half time approached, Carlow were dealt a blow when midfielder Tomas Brennan picked up an injury and could not carry on. Carlow then found themselves back in the match after Ian Turner fouled Andrew Hickey just outside the City penalty area. Adam Byrne fired home directly from the free kick with a thunderous shot to the roof of the net, to send the visitors in level at the break and offer them some hope of taking points back to the South East.

Cork started the second half brightly as they tried to press for a winner, but found the Carlow defence difficult to break down. Carlow were dealt another blow after 55 minutes when Philip Smithers became their second player to leave the game due to injury, but the key moment in the game came just minutes later, when Carlow centre half, Ryan Curran, was red carded for a professional foul on Craig Duggan. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Carlow battled hard and were still well in the game until the 70th minute, when they lost possession in Cork's half, having committed players forward. Cork midfielder Rob Waters won possession in his own half before going on a surging run. His pass sent Stephen O’Driscoll clear of the overstretched Carlow defence, before rounding Jeff Moran, and tapping to the empty net. Carlow heads did drop after the goal as Cork dominated posession, but to their credit Carlow rallied and had the home team and coaches looking worried for the final 10 minutes, despite creating a couple of half chances, they failed to really threaten the Cork goal. Desipte a brave effort FC Carlow came away from Cork without any points, but with their heads held high and their pride intact.

This result means that Cork City are virtually guaranteed a place in the quarter final, while FC Carlow are now in a position where they must win their three remaining games to give themselves a chance of qualification.

Cork City FC: Kieran McEnery, Ian Turner (Eamonn Fitzgerald), Brian Murphy, Kevin Long, Gavin Walsh, Stephen O’Driscoll, Rob Waters, Eoin Forde (Donal Lynch), Rory Kiely, Craig Duggan (Eoin Kilcommons), Paul Deasy.

FC Carlow: Jeff Moran, Philip Smithers (Joe Roberts), James Dermody, Adam Byrne, Ryan Curran (James Coleman), Emmet Phelan, Craig Hore, Tomas Brennan (Shane Clarke), Cathal Coughlan, Andrew Hickey, Daragh Walshe.