Cork City's long unbeaten run at home was ended by local rivals Cobh Ramblers in a dramatic 3-2 defeat on Friday night. The loss, which came despite a late brace from striker S. Maguire, sees the league leaders' advantage at the summit cut to 20 points.
Maguire gave the hosts the lead in the 18th minute, finishing a swift counter-attack. The game turned just before half-time when Cork City defender F. Kelleher was shown a straight red card, forcing his side to play the entire second half with ten men. Cobh Ramblers levelled seven minutes after the restart through an unfortunate own goal from C. Brann, before S. Griffin, introduced at half-time, put the visitors ahead on the hour mark.
Cork City manager Tim Clancy made changes, bringing on H. Nevin for H. Mpongo at the break and later introducing J. Fitzpatrick, but his side struggled to create clear chances. A. Adenopo, another Cobh substitute, seemed to seal the win for Cobh with a goal five minutes from time. Maguire grabbed a consolation for the ten men in the third minute of added time, but it was too little, too late.
Clancy told reporters after the match that the sending-off was the key moment. "Going down to ten men so close to half-time changed everything we had planned," he said. "The players showed tremendous spirit to keep fighting, but it's a tough one to take."
The result leaves Cork City still top of the First Division with 68 points from 31 games, but their recent form now reads two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five outings. They face a key test of their title credentials next Friday when they host second-placed UCD at Turner's Cross.
