City Triumph with Presidential Performance

Final Score: Cork City 2-0 DundalkCork City got their season off to an impressive start on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Dundalk in the President’s Cup Final in Turners Cross. The President’s Cup is the League of Ireland equivalent of the Community Shield; with the league and cup winners of the previous season playing each other in a one-off game. With Dundalk being the winners of both league and cup last season, it was left to Cork City to fill the remaining berth.Under the curious hue of floodlights in early afternoon, City played with great finesse and no little effort. Unlike prior seasons, ball stayed stuck to grass as much as possible as they sprung out of the blocks against a Dundalk side who just could not get to the required level all day.Away keeper Gary Rogers was tested early on from a corner, but proved up to the task. The Louthmen soon had a good chance from a corner of their own, with Brian Gartland sliding in, but his effort trailed to the left and wide.In the middle of the park Greg Bolger’s class was the perfect reflection of City’s more expansive and creative play. If the same style is maintained throughout the season then they will be an absolute joy to watch.The home side’s dominance was acknowledged on the scoreboard on the sixteenth minute. Stephen Dooley’s shot was excellently saved by Rogers, but the rebound was cleverly played back across him where Gavan Holohan was waiting to prod home into an empty net.No let-up was allowed for the rest of the first period, with City’s relentless pressure dazzling a Dundalk side who looked quite ordinary without their former star Richie Towell.A late tackle on Alan Bennett as he cleared a corner in front of the Shed caused a brawl which the referee resolved with two yellow cards. City manager Caulfield opining in his press conference that Dundalk’s indiscipline was caused by the excellent City performance they endured.In the opening fifteen minutes of the second half we saw a bit more initiative from the Lilywhites with Ronan Finn embarking on a run, but his shot was wide to Mark McNulty’s left. City keeper McNulty had little threat on his goal throughout the day, but proved his worth when called up by brilliantly saving from Ciarán Kildfuff in the first half after the striker benefited from some intricate lead-up play.City tackled and harried throughout the game with such doggedness, showing how much emphasis they put on besting the team who they finished second to over the previous two seasons. An exhibition was given in the art of the slide-tackle, which is sadly too rare in these times of diving.Goal two arrived when Eoghan O’Connell whipped in a great ball from the right, a crouching Seán Maguire steering it into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Game over as a contest.O’Connell had a remarkable game. He’s on loan from Celtic and what an asset he’ll be for the few months he’ll be lining out for his hometown club. On the ball he’s a picture of composure, not putting a toe wrong, never mind a foot. While his defence was as solid as the two men beside him – Bennett and Kenny Browne.It was a game without purple patches. City maintaining a consistent barrage of attack. 2-0 flattered the away side. Indeed it should have been 3-0 when Ian Turner’s free kick was saved by Rogers, as was the rebound.It is hard to know how much emphasis Stephen Kenny and his Dundalk side put on this game. At least he’ll be consoled by the knowledge that his side can perform so much better.The 1,850 in attendance, well at least the City factions, might have had the thought of potential league titles on their minds. It was such a dominant City showing that it would evoke such flights of pre-season irrationality. Caulfield walked into his press conference all smiles. He was remarkably candid in expressing how limited his teams’ resources were over the last two campaigns, and in-turn how happy he is with the players and the depth of the squad at his disposal this season. Next up for City is the opening league tie against Bohs on Friday night in Turners Cross.