First half - let’s just say we were really poor. We gifted Cork both goals, especially the second one where duggan’s suicidal back pass was seized upon by Mark O Sullivan who teed up Buckley to score. Our only chance of note was from Rory Gaffney who opted to try to put the ball around the stranded McNulty miles from his goal, rather than lob him. His effort drifted just wide of the post. Utterly dire stuff apart from that.
Majorly improved performance from Super Blues in second half. Defence was far more solid and we kept the ball better. Gaffney deserved his goal, played well throughout. Pinpoint delivery from Shane Tracy but he did nothing else of note all night. Prince & Duggan were solid throughout. Galbraith also made a difference when he came on.
Lehane missed a sitter for City when one on one with Barry Ryan, ballooned his shot into the ballynanty end terrace. McManus up front did little in the game but his free-kick did force an excellent diving save from McNulty near the end. Ross Mann had a last gasp chance for us but his shot was blocked by Dan Murray. We really need a couple of strikers in July! We are not a bad side but lacking in the final third. Curran’s departure is a big loss, whatever the reasons for it. We will stay up though, we are more than good enough to finish above Bohs & Athlone.
Only Ian Turner seemed to put in a good shift again.