Cork win against the odds as Galway rue missed chances

Ten-man Cork City went back top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division after somehow prevailing at Eamonn Deacy Park, thanks to a stunning Matt Healy goal.

John Caulfield saw his former side win despite barely creating a chance on goal, but United lacked the quality to take advantage of endless possession.

The game was played in beautiful sunshine before around 5,000 fans, a real throwback to the old days when Cork City were a force, which they usually are, and Galway United were in the top flight, which they tend not to be.

The first half, in truth, was not for the purists – bar the goal that separated them, and it was quite something.

United found it difficult to face the sliding sun at the old dressing room end, City, by contrast, could aim at goal without distraction and their opener was world class.

Rory Keating had Conor Kearns scrambling, facing an old ally, before Healy's stunner on 18 minutes.

He picked up the ball around 25 yards out and curled spectacularly into the top corner, with Kearns having no chance.

United rallied and should have been level by half-time, but they would have to wait for what might come.

Conor McCormack blasted over on 22 minutes against his former club before the home fans were celebrating in vain five minutes later.

Ed McCarthy crossed and, with David Harrington beaten, Wilson Waweru's header was somehow cleared off the line.

Diego Portillo had ridden his luck with an ill-advised challenge on Cian Murphy in the box beforehand, so it was a two-way debate.

Right at the death, the lively Max Hemmings found space to cross only for Wawero to head wide.

The ever-dangerous Wilson looked for a penalty before the break but Oliver Moran hadn't seen enough.

Again it was the local striker Waweru who had