Cathal's Brace Sends City 15 Points Clear

📷 KBD Photos

Cork City made the trip to the South East to take on Wexford on another rare Thursday outing at Ferrycarrig Park, the result was to be similar to what we saw against Cobh Ramblers three weeks prior. City went into the game with three wins on the bounce and ten points from the previous fifteen, while Wexford went in with only two points from their previous five games, with draws away at Mounthawk Park and at home to Longford Town. James Keddy’s side’s struggling form will be a concern for Wexford fans knowing the quality they possess in that squad. 

 City made two changes as Cathal O’Sullivan made his first start since recovering from injury and Arran Healy made his first start since the first game against Kerry in mid-February. They came in for Josh Fitzpatrick and Sean Murray who was not seen travelling with the squad to Ferrycarrig Park. Niall Brookwell and Cian Bargary remained out with injury and Matthew Kiernan returned to the match-day squad for the first time since the opening game against Kerry in which he fractured his leg.

 James Keddy decided to start Benjamin Lynch, ex-Shelbourne striker Aaron Dobbs and new Shelbourne loanee Lewis Temple who just signed a couple of days ago at the expense of Shamrock Rovers loanee Cian Curtis, Carl Lennox who was left out the squad completely and James Crawfordames Keddy decided to start Benjamin Lynch, ex-Shelbourne striker Aaron Dobbs and new Shelbourne loanee Lewis Temple who just signed a couple of days ago at the expense of Shamrock Rovers loanee Cian

It didn’t take long for the scoring to be opened as Wexford broke, Thomas Oluwa got on the end of a clearing header from an early city corner and broke at speed. Arran Healy tried to contain Oluwa but ultimately did not have the pace. Healy was the only person back which left Aaron Dobbs free for the square ball. Dobbs shot straight at Brad Wade but his save was not enough to contain the shot which put Wexford ahead after 4 minutes. This was Dobbs third goal of his League of Ireland season.

City struggled to keep the ball while Wexford looked very comfortable in possession. City had a chance via Dijksteel who’s curling shot went just over the bar. It didn’t take long after for another chance to arise as 14 minutes in Evan McLaughlin whipped in a beautiful ball to the back post which was met by a wonderful volley by Cathal O’Sullivan. It was a lovely finish considering the technique required and the angle he was left to work with. 

This seemed to settle City and they now looked more comfortable on the ball and Wexford were feeling the pressure and were giving possession away cheaply.

All be it City’s dominance Wexford were defending and absorbing the pressure very well with City’s opportunity for the rest of the half limited to a long-range shot by Barry Coffey which met the hands of Moody quite easily. Tim Clancy was visibly frustrated with his side. City were the dominant team in the half but were struggling to create chances with Wexford defending well and James Keddy would have been happy going into the half with it all still to play for.

 It was a dream start to the second half for City as a minute into the half Charlie Lyons’ headed clearance was picked up by Cathal O’Sullivan. He took on 2 men beating both, he then cut in from the right hand side and bent one into the far top hand corner from just outside the box, leaving Moddy no chance. It was a true piece of magic displayed by the 17 year old which put his side 2-1 up. 

10 minutes later Healy’s half chance effort was met with a block by Ethan Boyle and then a minute later Barry Coffey squared the ball to Malik Dijksteel who sent the sitter over the bar. Wexford were trying hard to make something happen as they wanted to salvage a point from the game. They brought on Mark Hanratty for Ben Lynch to try have more attacking options. They soon after in the 64th minute made another change with U17 Ireland International Kaylem Harnett replacing Darragh Levingston while City made a triple substitution with Jack Doherty, Conor Drinan and Harry Nevin coming on for Barry Coffey, Malik Dijksteel and Arran Healy. 

City now started to try to control the possession and the momentum of the game with Corbally, Rowe, Boyle and Murphy going into Lucas Keating’s book. Wexford started to pile pressure onto City in the closing minutes of regulation time as Hanratty’s cross was just missed by Aaron Dobbs in the 88th  minute. City then confirmed the 3 points would be coming back to Leeside as Conor Drinan carried the ball through the middle of the park and slipped it to Jack Doherty who calmly slotted it into the far right corner against his former club.

Overall a good City performance defensively. Lacking a bit of creativity but being compensated by some absolute class by Cathal O’Sullivan once again and that 2nd goal will be played back many times around the country. Wexford will be feeling regret as they never got a chance to control the game or to be a threat going forward.

 My man of the match goes to Cathal O’Sullivan