eircom League: Cork City 1 Drogheda 0

Richardson saw his side sneak the win

The goal came when Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor was put in possession by Graham Gartland from a throw near the corner flag.

Connor, who had been slow the re-start the game whenever he was in possession, chose to walk the ball out of his penalty area and he obviously under-estimated the speed of Cork’s striker, John O’Flynn.

Connor’s attempted clearance rebounded off O’Flynn’s legs and the ball took ages to roll the 22yards to the goal-line. As the 3,000 fans held their breath, the ball barely had enough momentum to trickle over the line.

It was an extraordinary end to a match in which Drogheda looked well capable of denying Cork the win they needed to keep pace with Derry City at the head of the Premier Division, eircom League, table.

Cork just about deserved their win as Drogheda ended with ten men after full-back Graham Gartland was dismissed in the 89^th minute when he received a second yellow card.

It was a close run thing for Drogheda looked strong and capable in defence and their compact team-work ensured that scoring chances were kept to a minimum.

Indeed Drogheda had the better scoring chances and centre-forward Declan O’Brien will wonder how he failed to score in the 61^st minute.

He was sent clear of the defence by Sami Ristila’s clever pass but goalkeeper Michael Devine, who has been outstanding all season, stood tall in his path and they dived quickly to gather in his shot as O’Brien let fly from 22 yards. Devine routinely makes the impossible seem possible.

Drogheda had the ball in the Cork net in the 35^th minute when Shane Robinson set O’Brien up for a right wing cross which was turned into the net by Ristila. The flag was probably raised against O’Brien.

Drogheda showed just why they came into the game unbeaten in 11 matches but Cork showed more initiative in their play and their persistence won them a precious win. They never struck top form but showed plenty of resilience and it was this quality which saw them through.

Cork City: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; O'Donovan, O'Halloran,
O'Callaghan, Kearney (Woods 90); Fenn (Behan 48), O'Flynn (O'Brien 85).

Drogheda United: Connor; Lynch, Gavin, Gray, Gartland; Robinson, Fahy,
Keegan (Whelan 85), Sandvlier (Malcolm 76); O'Brien, Ristila (Leech 65).