Cork City’s hopes of reclaiming the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title suffered a huge blow as they suffered their first home league defeat of the season against Sligo Rovers on Friday night. The Champions started well and they took the le
Cork City’s hopes of reclaiming the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title suffered a huge blow as they suffered their first home league defeat of the season against Sligo Rovers on Friday night.
The Champions started well and they took the lead in the tenth minute when Karl Sheppard expertly headed Barry McNamee’s free-kick across the keeper and inside the far right post for his sixth league goal of the season.
Sheppard did well to deny Rovers an equaliser just shy of the hour mark as he cleared Patrick McClean’s goal-bound header off the line. Kieran Sadlier was unfortunate to see his powerful free-kick strike the base of the far left post and that would prove decisive as Sligo deservedly levelled with 18 minutes remaining.
Rhys McCabe’s long-range free-kick was parried by Mark McNulty and into the path of David Cawley, who made no mistake tucking the rebound home from a few yards.
City pressed for a winner and they were caught on the counter-attack to leave them with a mountain to climb if they are to win the league crown.
Caolan McAleer’s exquisite through pass sent Raffaele Cretaro in on goal and he coolly slotted the ball past the Cork keeper for the winner.
The defeat was City’s first domestic loss at Turner’s Cross since Sligo also won here last August and it leaves the Double winners trailing Dundalk by six points with just six games remaining. As for Rovers, they look certain for another season in the top flight as now sit 11 points clear of second from bottom Limerick.
