| Rebels take the points in The Showgrounds |
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| Sunday, 03 August 2008 | |
 Sligo Rovers suffered only their second home defeat since April at the hands of a Cork City side that quickly recovered from the disappointment of their midweek European result in Finland.
report courtesy www.rte.ie Cork City showed no signs of a mid-week European hangover as they edged out Sligo Rovers in a tight encounter at the Showgrounds. The Rebels brushed off their crushing defeat against FC Haka to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games in the Eircom Premier Division at the expense of the Bit O'Red. The game's solitary goal came when striker Denis Behan, made amends for his rash mid-week dismissal against FC Haka, stole a march on the Rovers defence to nod home a Neal Horgan cross from ten yards. Rovers had the majority of possession in the second period, with Cork happy to sit deep and defend, but the hosts failed to find their shooting boots in the final third of the pitch Cork were without the services of suspended duo Pat Sullivan and Liam Kearney, Alan Matthew drafted in Cillian Lordan and Darragh Ryan to plug the gaps. Rovers welcomed back Seamus Coleman, after a four-week injury lay-off, and Bit O'Red chief Paul Cook handed new-boy Richie Ryan a role in the centre of the park. The hosts had the first chance of the game, when in the fifth minute Coleman linked well with Cretaro on the right wing, before lofting a ball in for Boco. However the Benin international saw his low drive ricochet off Cork captain Dan Murray and out for a corner. The Rebels' talisman striker Dave Mooney nearly added to his x league goals this season, when his poked shot hit Richard Brush's post on nine minutes after good build-up from Darragh Ryan. The Bit O'Red bolstered their attacking options in the second period when they changed to an attacking 3-5-2 formation, with Cretaro joining Boco up top. The second period was in stark contrast to the first, with Cork happy to sit back and let Rovers attack. However chances were few and far between and neither keeper had a notable save to make in the second period. The Cork back line stood firm in the closing minutes and handled everything that the Sligo attack had to throw at them to record a priceless victory in their hunt for honours this season. Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Seamus Coleman (Brian Cash 80), Chris Butler, Gavin Peers, Mauro Almeida, Conor O'Grady, Raffaele Cretaro, Danny Ventre, Romauld Boco, Richie Ryan (Gary Curran 82), Sean Doherty (David McDaid 70). Subs not used: Ross McLaughlin, Pat Jennings. Cork City: Michael Devine, Neal Horgan, Darragh Ryan, Danny Murphy, Cillian Lordan, Dan Murray, Colin Healy (John O'Flynn 78), Joe Gamble, Denis Behan, Dave Mooney, Darren Murphy (Lawrie Dudfield 63) (Sean Kelly 88). Subs not used: Allan O'Connor, Mark McNulty. Booked: Murphy, Mooney Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin) |
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