Cork City's left winger Ollie Cahill was the star of the show with a hat-trick as the league leaders stretched their advantage to three points in the premier division at Turners Cross yesterday.

Cahill's three goals reflected a performance of great pace and intensity as newly promoted Waterford United came face to face with the stark reality of a substantial gap between the top two flights of the national league.

Waterford were without four of their regulars, - John Frost, who is on international duty with Ireland's youths, the injured Joe Harkin, Alan Reynolds and Robert Griffin - and they struggled to cope.

Cork's football was played with great urgency and a stunning goal after just 16 minutes by new signing Gerald Dobbs set the tone for an afternoon of great enjoyment for the local fans.

Dobbs ran on to a deflection from Jason Kabia and instantly fired a powerful right foot shot into the roof of the net from 22 yards. Thereafter, they had a sharp eye for scoring chances and while Cahill capitalised most of all, a succession of Cork players were close to joining him on the scoresheet.

"That type of performance is really pleasing for everybody involved and especially for the players who worked very hard," said manager Dave Barry.

"We have always created goal scoring chances as long as I've been associated with the club but we have not always taken them.

"That has changed now and while clearly the team is playing with great confidence, the addition of Dobbs to the squad is a big help."

Dobbs was also praised by Cahill who benefited most from the form of his team mates. "We played with great pace from the very start and we got at them right away," he said.

"It was great entertainment for the crowd and with the sort of service I got you just had to score goals. I've scored five in my last two matches at home and hopefully we can continue this run of form."

Cahill had his first after 23 minutes and after centre back Derek Coughlan had headed Cork into a 3-0 half-time lead it was Cahill who added two more in the second period.

Cork City: Mooney, Daly, Coughlan, Hill, Cronin, Flanagan, Herrick, Barry Murphy, Cahill, Dobbs, Kabia. Subs: Caulfield for Kabia (60 mins); Freyne for Herrick (68 mins); Hartigan for Dobbs (71 mins).

Galway United: Byrne, Power, Riordan, Maher, McGrath, Scully, Lacey, Lynch, Gannon, Reid, Dully. Subs: Sinnott for Dully (55 mins); Woods for Lacey (55 mins); Carr for Scully (82 mins).

Referee: P McKeown (Dublin).