Double strike puts Cork back on top

Cork City reclaimed their topof-the-table position in the National League thanks to a impressive victory over Sligo Rovers at…

Cork City reclaimed their topof-the-table position in the National League thanks to a impressive victory over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The contest was decided inside a blistering two minute spell early in the game when City killed off Sligo with a two goal blast.

Colin O'Brien gave Cork the lead after 13 minutes when he got on the end of Ollie Cahill's cross and beat Nicky Broujos with a crisp shot on the turn.

Within two minutes Cork were further ahead when uncertainty in the Sligo defence left John Caulfield in the clear and he made no mistake with a cracking shot high into the net.

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Lee Thew and Nicky Reid went close with long-range efforts for Sligo early in the second half and Padraig Moran was unlucky with a clever lob in the 70th minute which narrowly missed the target.

But Cork always had a more cutting edge and the impressive Cahill almost grabbed a third goal for the visitors five minutes from time. After darting through the heart of the Sligo defence, he unleashed a 20 yard drive which beat Broujos but flew inches wide of the upright.

Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Cubbesson, Hutchison, Reid, Ogden, Regis, Jones, Moran, Thew, Rose, Lynch. Subs: Birks for Lynch (70 mins), Flannery for Regis (80 mins).

Cork City: Mooney, Napier, Cronin, Daly, Coughlan, Freyne, Cahill, Flannigan, Kabia, O'Brien, Caulfield. Subs: Hartigan for Freyne (63 mins).

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).