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Cork stirred by O'Callaghan

Cork City 2 Derry City 0: George O'Callaghan and John O'Flynn secured three vital points at home for Cork City last night when…

Sat May 28 2005 - 01:00

Cork City 2 Derry City 0: George O'Callaghan and John O'Flynn secured three vital points at home for Cork City last night when they saw off the spirited challenge of Derry City.

O'Callaghan struck just after half-time to illuminate an otherwise dull night and sparked Cork's best period of the game.

After both sides struggled to impress in the opening 45 minutes the disappointing 2,000-plus crowd were suddenly stung into life when O'Callaghan went close with a shot from inside the Derry area.

With 10 minutes of the second half elapsed Denis Behan showed tremendous bravery when winning a 50-50 ball from Derry's Brian Cash.

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The loose ball spilled to Kevin Doyle and after making vital inroads the Cork striker spotted O'Callaghan overlapping and duly fed his midfielder. O'Callaghan unleashed a rasping shot to the corner of the net.

It was just what the doctor ordered after that first half when goal chances were missing and, in fairness, the fare was poor.

It only got better for Cork as Joe Gamble and Doyle turned on the style for the home side.

After setting up the opening goal for O'Callaghan, Doyle turned provider for John O'Flynn to score with his first touch of the game. On the pitch barely a minute, O'Flynn showed all his predatory skills to put the three points beyond doubt.

Joe Gamble released Doyle down the right flank and his blistering pace carried him a full 50 yards and past the Derry defence before he whipped a cross to the far post, where O'Flynn slid in to steer the ball home.

It was no more than Cork deserved after turning things around in the second half as they secured just their second home league win of the season.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Woods, Dennett, Murray, Gamble, O'Callaghan, O'Brien, Kearney, Doyle, Behan. Subs: Fenn for Kearney (67 mins), O'Flynn for Behan (82 mins).

DERRY CITY: Forde; Hargan, Hutton, Delaney, Doherty, Martyn, Murphy, McCallion, Farren, O'Flynn, Cash. Subs: Higgins for Doherty (37 mins), O Brennan for Delaney (44 mins). D. Brennan for O Brennan (58 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford)