Ruairi Keating hat-trick propels Cork City within sight of Sligo Rovers in survival battle

Cork City recorded a crucial 3-0 victory in their quest to aovid the drop from the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division by defeating Sligo Rovers at Turners Cross

A Ruairi Keating hat-trick helped the Leesiders on their way to a win that puts them within three points of eight-placed Sligo who currently occupy the final survival spot.

City have some tough fixtures coming up, but this result will give them something to salvage and fight for over the closing weeks of the campaign.

Sligo threatened in the early stages when a Reece Hutchinson strike was blocked well by City's Kevin Čustović.

The away side had a great chance to score on 18 minutes, when Frank Liivak ran unchallenged into the penalty area, but his effort from close range was vitally blocked down by City captain Cian Coleman.

Despite Sligo appearing to be on top in the overall exchanges by the midway point of the first half, the Leesiders were awarded a penalty kick in the 28th minute when Jaze Kabia was taken down by Bit o' Red goalkeeper Conor Walsh.

Keating duly did what he does best, finding the back of the net with a well taken penalty kick.

City went close to getting a second goal in the 34th minute, when Josh Honohan saw his header tipped around the post following a cross by Ben Worman.

At the end of the opening half, City held the advantage and were halfway to completing what could potentially be a significant result in their survival battle.

Sligo dangerman Fabrice Hartmann was proving a threat, and he went close early into the second half, when his shot forced a good save out of City goalkeeper Ollie Byrne.

The Cork City FC night got even better on 65 minutes. From a throw in by Cian Bargary which set Keating away, the attacker found the back of the net with a