Drogheda United 2 Cork City 3: Cork won this five-goal thriller late on following a wonderful contest that Drogheda will feel they should have taken something from after they came from two goals down to level matters.

Early on a poor pass by Alan Byrne intended for Ryan Brennan was intercepted by Danny Morrissey, who put Ciarán Kilduff in and he made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Cork profited from more poor defending by Drogheda when Kilduff sailed past Byrne to slip the ball to Shane Duggan, who found himself in acres of space as he thumped his shot to the net to make it 2-0 after 15minutes.

Despite their frailties at the back Drogheda created a string of chances which they failed to take.

Eric Foley was denied by Mark McNulty, Mick Daly twice saw headers come back off the bar and Alan Byrne’s goal-bound effort was deflected out for a corner.

United were handed a lifeline when Ryan Brennan won a spot kick after he was tumbled by Gary Buckley, but drove the kick wide.

Drogheda finally got the reward their efforts warranted right on half-time when Ryan Brennan found the net from a Gavin Holohan assist.
On 53 minutes, Brennan raced down the left, picked out Jason Marks who cut into the box and in turn found Peter Hynes who finished coolly from close range.

Thirteen minutes fromtime the ball sat up in the centre circle for Eric Foley who sent a spectacular volley only just over the bar for what would have been an incredible Drogheda winner.

But Morrissey was to have the last laugh with an 87th minute winner.

DROGHEDA: Sava, Holohan (O'Conor 70), Hand, McNally, Brady (Cassidy 70), R Brennan, Hynes, Daly, Foley, Marks (O'Brien 79), Byrne.

CORK CITY: McNulty, Turner, Murphy, G Morrissey, Duggan, D Morrisey, Spillane, Horgan, Buckley, Kavanagh, Kilduff.