Cork City keep hopes of avoiding play-off alive with win over UCD

Late first half strikes from Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh and Ruairi Keating finally sparked a sluggish Cork City to life at the UCD Bowl in their quest for SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division survival.

The 2-0 victory over the Students, already consigned to the First Division next year, ended a run of four straight defeats to edge Cork to within six points of third-bottom Sligo Rovers with three games to play in their battle to avoid the relegation play-off place.

The lethargic start from Cork, who lost on their last visit to the Bowl in April, saw them survive a couple of early let-offs.

Goalkeeper Kian Moore’s fifth minute clearance was flicked on by Dara Keane for the run of Ciaran Behan on the left. Keane then dummied the cross to set up skipper Jack Keaney who scuffed his shot wide, furious with himself for not hitting the target.

Three minutes later Adam Verdon wasn’t closed down in possession, inviting the midfielder to shoot from distance with keeper Ollie Byrne having to get down smartly to his left to push the drive away.

It was 14 minutes before Cork threatened, though O’Brien-Whitmarsh’s kick scarcely troubled Moore.

UCD remained the better side, Eanna Clancy heading over from Keaney’s cross before the half hour.

Cork finally got a shot on target on 34 minutes and that came from a defensive error.

College left-back Jesse Dempsey, guilty initially of giving the ball away in midfield, saw his attempted clearance hit Malik Dijksteel.

The ball fell into the path of O’Brien-Whitmarsh who brought a fine parry save from Moore who had charged off his line.

Likewise, Byrne was soon worked at the other end, Keane sliding Mikey Raggett in on the left to force a good stop from the City keeper.

Cork finally played their way into the