Cork City under huge pressure after defeat at home to Bohemians

Cork City 0 Bohemians 2 

In front of a crowd of 3,215 at Turner’s Cross, Cork City slipped to their 10th defeat of the Premier Division season following a frustrating display. 

The visitors were the better side throughout, controlling the tempo and creating the more dangerous chances, while City once again struggled to impose themselves for long periods. Despite a few second-half moments where Ger Nash’s side threatened a response, the outcome rarely looked in doubt.

For the first time this season, City named an unchanged starting 11 — a notable milestone 19 games into their Premier Division campaign. The manager kept faith with the same side that started the 1-1 draw against Shelbourne before the mid-season break, marking a show of consistency in selection that had previously eluded City during a stop-start season.

Bohemians dominated the first half at Turner’s Cross, controlling possession with ease for long spells and leaving Cork City chasing shadows for much of the opening 45 minutes. Apart from a brief spell towards the end of the half, City struggled to build any rhythm and looked second best in nearly every department.

The first clear chance of the game fell to Archie Meekison, who had already shown signs of causing City problems. He latched onto a fine over the top from Leigh Kavanagh, controlling it beautifully to go through on goal, but despite the quality of the first touch, the Bohs winger never looked confident in front of goal and dragged his shot wide.

Meekison made up for that miss soon after. Darragh Crowley’s heavy touch just inside the Boh’s half gave him a golden opportunity, and although Meekison’s initial touch to round Tein Troost was heavy, he managed to regain control and finish neatly into the bottom corner to give Bohemians the lead.

The visitors continued to press and nearly doubled their advantage when Kavanagh met an inswinging corner with a glancing flick, only for Troost to react brilliantly and tip the ball over the bar. Bohs' intensity remained high, and Dayle Rooney was the next to threaten, spotting Troost off his line and attempting a clever chip from distance. 

It was an inventive effort, but it lacked the dip required to trouble the City goalkeeper.

City's best opportunity came against the run of play when Cathal O’Sullivan ghosted into the box and met a cross, only to head wide with the goal gaping. It was a chance that perhaps surprised the teenager, as the ball evaded the defenders in front of him, but nonetheless, he will be frustrated not to have found the net.

Freddie Anderson kept City in it briefly with a vital block to deny Adam McDonnell, but just before the break, Bohemians got the second goal their performance deserved. Rooney tapped in from close range following good build-up play, and McDonnell nearly made it three with a curling effort that went within inches of the goal.

The second half began much like the first, with Bohemians continuing to dictate possession and apply pressure in the final third. Troost had to be alert early on, producing a smart reflex save to deny Ross Tierney. The Bohs player was involved again moments later, but Anderson threw himself in front of the shot to block to prevent Tierney from scoring.

City were left incensed just past the hour mark when Jordan Flores appeared to bundle over O’Sullivan in the penalty area but referee Paul Norton waved play on. O’Sullivan came close later, curling just wide after cutting inside.

Seani Maguire gave the City fans something to cheer with a neat piece of footwork in the box, only to see his shot deflected wide. Ultimately, City offered little threat and Bohs saw out the win with relative comfort.

CITY: Troost; Mbeng, Anderson, Lyons, Crowley (Nelson 46); O’Sullivan, Murray (Bolger 54), Mclaughlin (Shipston 71), Fitzpatrick; Maguire (Dijksteel 75), Daniels.

BOHS: Chorazka, Morahan, Kavanagh (Cornwall 80), Grehan, Flores; McDonnell (Buckley 74), Meekison (Brennan 74), Rooney, Devoy, Tierney (McManus 80); Clarke (Whelan 74).

Referee: P Norton