CORK City strengthened their grip on first place in the Airtricity League First Division with a 3-0 victory over Treaty United at Turners Cross.
3 goals in the space of 3 minutes from Ruairi Keating, Matt Healy and Cian Bargary gave the hosts the victory. It was the second defeat in four days for the Limerick side.
Treaty United began with the same line-up that lost 2-3 to Galway United at the Markets Field last Friday night with the likes of Enda Curran, Steven Christopher, Mark Walsh and Joel Coustrain still sidelined through injury. Unsurprisingly, manager Tommy Barrett sent his team out with a defensive mindset against the league leaders and Treaty allowed their hosts to dominate possession while holding their defensive shape.
Within 3 minutes, Cork City had the ball in the net when Mark O’Mahony raced to the byline before crossing for the onrushing Matt Healy who rifled home but Ruairi Keating was adjudged to have fouled Callum McNamara and the goal was ruled out.
Treaty created their first opportunity when Dean George controlled Charlie Fleming’s cross but his shot was blocked. The home side dominated possession in the opening stages without creating any clear cut chances but Daire Crowley turned inside Marc Ludden before shooting straight at Brady.
Treaty left-back Marc Ludden moved forward and crossed to the edge of the area and a smart turn by Jack Lynch allowed the midfielder the opportunity to shoot but it failed to trouble David Harrington who collected.
With five minutes remaining in the first period, the home side began to make inroads and Keating latched onto a ball over the top before volleying wide from a tight angle. Three minutes later, Mark O’Mahony’s header narrowly missed the target as the Leesiders pushed for the opener.
Midfielder Matt Healy has produced some stunning goals for Colin Healy’s men in recent weeks against Waterford and Cobh Ramblers and he came close to scoring from all of 30 yards out by Brady was equal to it.
Brady was forced into action one more time before the half-time whistle when the energetic Aaron Bolger showed great determination to beat the challenge of two Treaty players before Brady pushed his curling shot away from danger.
At the beginning of the second half, the home side created another opportunity when James Doona sent in a cross from the left but O’Mahony headed over.
On the hour mark, Healy’s side took a deserved lead when Murphy supplied Keating and from 25 yards out he smashed the ball past Brady. Just 60 seconds later, Cork doubled their lead when Keating laid the ball off to Healy who rifled home into the opposite corner.
Just two minutes later, substitute Cian Bargary drove a low shot goalwards and it squirmed under the body of Brady to give the Leesiders a three goal lead. Cork’s desire to add more goals didn’t stop there and both Keating Bolger had further efforts that were just off target. The pace of the game slowed down and petered out in the final ten minutes as the home side closed out for victory.
Treaty United return to action on May 13th against Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field.
Cork City: David Harrington, Daire Crowley, Cian Coleman (Barry Coffey 77), Ally Gilchrist, Kevin O’Connor (Jonas Haikkinen 33), Matt Healy, Aaron Bolger (Josh Honahan 77), Srbely, James Doona (Cian Bargary 59), Mark O’Mahony (Cian Murphy 59), Ruairi Keating
Treaty United: Jack Brady, Charlie Fleming, Sean Guerins, Joe Gorman, Marc Ludden, Callum McNamara (Willie Armshaw 70), Joe Collins (Colin Conroy), Jack Lynch, Lee Devitt, Matt Keane (Conor Melody 70), Dean George (Jack Arra 75)
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