 Sligo Rovers were taught a lesson by a Cork side who took their chances in a three nil victory that belied the promise shown by the home side in a superb first half performance tonight (Tues 12 Sep) in The Showgrounds.
Sligo Rovers 0–2 Cork City
The Showgrounds Tues 12 Sep
Attendance 2400 (est)
Match Sponsor: Atlantic Developments
City Alarms Man of the Match: Michael McNamara
It was a tale of two halves, with Rovers playing the way you’d expect Cork to play at their best, with creativity, movement and plenty of flair in the first forty five. But the experience and clinical finishing of the reigning league champions coupled with the Bit O’Red’s failure to sustain the promise of the first half that sealed the points for Cork.
The home team recorded one change from the starting line-up with Peers starting at right back, meaning that Fahrudin Kudozovic was dropped to the bench to facilitate Chris Turner’s return to central midfield.
Sligo have been winning of late, without playing particularly well. And if they play the way they did for the first forty five for the remainder of the season, then European football may become a reality. However, the second half is one they’ll want to forget, a reality check that will leave the manager and players with much to ponder.
Despite Rovers going in search of an early goal, it was Cork who took the initiative after only ten minutes. A looping Fenn cross from the left looked to have gone out the end line, but Billy Woods headed back in to the path of Roy O’Donavan who glanced it past O’Hara unchallenged.
 Rovers stepped up the pace immediately playing a slick passing possession game that created half chances for O’Grady and Mansaram.
The Bit O’Red first put Devine into action on twenty five minutes when Foy surging forward, played a neat one two with Mansaram on the edge of the box, before battling on to shoot a low shot that the Cork ‘keeper was equal to.
Mansaram was involved again minutes later this time latching onto a clever Turner throughball, but Devine was quickly off his line to smother.
Cork must have said a couple of novenas in the intervening period as Rovers had two gilt-edged chances to draw level on thirty seven minutes. The first fell to Adam Hughes whose header from 6 yards was saved by Devine but McNamara stretching couldn’t steer the ball on target. The danger hadn’t averted for the visitors as the ball found its way out to O’Grady who made space to fire a dipping shot off the cross bar.
The home side began the second half brightly and had Cok on the back foot almost immediately when McNamara headed from the back to Singh who flicked first time into the path of Mansaram. The former Grimsby man didn't wast any time and half-volleyed a left footed shot that was saved by Devine in the Shed end.
ON fifty three minutes Sean Connor was forced into making an early change when Brian Cash went off with a knee injury to be replaced by McTiernan.
Rovers lost their rhythm somewhat and apart from a couple of snapshots from Chris Turner they didn’t trouble the Cork goal in the third quarter.
It got worse for Rovers in the seventy sixth minute when City turned defence into attack to punish the home side. A Turner corner fell straight to Fenn who sent Murphy on a rampaging run down the right that eventually found its way to John O’Flynn who blasted from the right hand side of the box past O’Hara.
 Rovers fell flat in the closing minutes and O’Flynn and Lordan both rattled the side netting when it looked easier to score before Neal Fenn stepped up to fire a free from twenty five yards into the top corner to give the visitors a third.
Next up for Rovers the home game against St Pat's on Saturday 23 September.
Teams Sligo Rovers
John O’Hara, Gavin Peers, Keith Foy, Michael McNamara, Liam Burns, Conor O’Grady (Fahrudin Kudozovic 82 min), Chris Turner, Adam Hughes, Harpal Singh, Brian Cash (Paul McTiernan 53 min), Darren Mansaram
Sub not used:, Gary Curran, Jamie McKenzie, Richard Brush
Cork City
Mick Devine, Danny Murphy, Alan Bennett, Dan Murray, Colin O’Brien, Neal Fenn, John O’Flynn (Vinny Sullivan), Billy Woods (Cillian Lordan), Roy O’Donavan, Joe Gamble, Neal Horgan
Subs not used: Brian O’Callaghan, Mark McNulty, Admir Sotbic,
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)
Bookings
Sligo Rovers: Conor O’Grady, Darren Mansaram
Cork City: Joe Gamble
Report by Paraic Casey
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