Derry City moved to within three points of third place Bohemians with an impressive 2-0 victory at the Brandywell against the ten-men of Cork City. Goals from Eoin Toal and Jamie McDonagh was enough to seal the three points against a lacklustre Cork
Derry City moved to within three points of third place Bohemians with an impressive 2-0 victory at the Brandywell against the ten-men of Cork City.
Goals from Eoin Toal and Jamie McDonagh was enough to seal the three points against a lacklustre Cork side, who dropped to eighth, two points above UCD in the relegation play-off spot. Early on, Jamie McDonagh's sublime cross into the six-yard box looked to be on a plate for David Parkhouse but Dan Casey was active to the imminent threat.
John Caulfield's side looked compact at the back, Conor McCormack doing a lot of the dirty work against his former side but their resolve was broken after 22 minutes. Jamie McDonagh's inswinging free-kick, 10-yards from the edge of the 'D', was met by the incoming Eoin Toal as the defender pounced to give Derry the edge.
After the restart, Cork City came out of the traps quickly and close to the hour mark Karl Sheppard's effort from 20-yards caused major problems for Peter Cheerie, the former Cork goal minder putting it behind for a fruitless corner kick.
The referee didn't hesitate when Conor McCormack upended McNamee inside the penalty area at the other end with Derry awarded the spot kick on 78 minutes. And the bad news didn't stop there for Cork, as McCormack picked up two yellows card in two minutes to see Caulfield's side reduced to 10 men in the closing stages.
But after all the drama, McNulty proved the hero as he denied McDonagh from the spot - a huge chance squandered by Derry. With the home side firmly in control and turning on the style, McDonagh's eventually repaid the Derry faithful with a thunderbolt from 20-yards to finish the contest.
Superb combination play between Ogedi-Uzokwe and Harkin, outside the 18-yard box, laid it perfectly for McDonagh, who sealed redemption with a stunning strike from distance to send beyond McNulty into the bottom corner.
