Soccer

Cork City keep in touch with leaders thanks to Mark O’Sullivan’s header

Declan Brennan looked to have given Athlone a point when his backheel beat McNulty but Dunleavy cleared to safety

Cork’s Mark O’Sullivan, seen here scoring against Derry, was on the mark again with his head against Athlone Town.
Cork’s Mark O’Sullivan, seen here scoring against Derry, was on the mark again with his head against Athlone Town.
Fri May 30 2014 - 22:10

Cork City 1 (O'Sullivan 58), Athlone Town 0 Cork City remain two points behind leaders Dundalk after they were forced to work for victory at home to Athlone Town last night, thanks to a Mark O'Sullivan header in the second half.

Just before half-time, though, City manufactured a chance of real substance as captain John Dunleavy sent over a good cross from the right and that was met by Garry Buckley only for the ball to cannon back off the crossbar.

At half-time, home manager John Caulfield changed to 4-4-2 and he was rewarded in the 58th minute. Brian Lenihan found O’Sullivan with a lovely lofted ball from the right and the striker, despite being 15 yards from goal, was able to loop a perfectly-placed header beyond Paul Skinner’s reach.

With their tails up, City were now in control and O’Sullivan almost made it 2-0 straightaway only for Skinner to save while Barry Clancy did well to clear off the line after the goalkeeper got a hand to a Lehane effort.

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McNulty did still have to be alert to deny Athlone sub Ian Sweeney with a fine save, and when Athlone captain Alan Byrne was sent off for a second booking Cork looked safe. Declan Brennan looked to have given Athlone a point when his backheel beat McNulty but Dunleavy cleared to safety. CORK CITY: McNulty; Dunleavy, Murray, D Dennehy; Davoren (Kavanagh 90); G Morrissey, Healy (O’Leary 74); Lenihan, Buckley, Kearney (Lehane half-time); O’Sullivan. ATHLONE TOWN: Skinner; Quigley, Byrne, Brennan, Clancy; Dillon, Hughes; Brennan, Rusk (Harney 86), Marks (Sweeney 64); Gorman. Referee: P Tuite (Dublin). Attendance: 2,875.