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Date Time League Season
22 July 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's First Division 2022

Match Report

Cork stay top after early Honohan goal enough to beat Wexford

Cork City earned a hard-fought over 1-0 win over Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park tonight, as Joshua Honohan’s early header kept them top of the First Division.

Honohan latched onto a breaking ball from a corner and headed with power into the top left corner.

Wexford went on to be the more dangerous side in the first half and Aaron Dobbs was unlucky not to equalise after 30 minutes.

The hosts continued to chase the leveller with intent in the second half but Cork soaked up the pressure and defended well. Dobbs went close again late on but David Harrington’s reaction save ensured an end to Wexford’s seven-game unbeaten run.

Cork did the bare minimum going forward to get this win and very much relied on their defensive competence, but when you’re top of the league these things don’t matter too much. Wexford will be disappointed to end a good run of form in a game where they controlled every beat of the tempo.

It didn’t take long after Honohan’s opener for the hosts to wake up and begin to enjoy possession. Intricate football between Thomas Considine, Conor Crowley and Dobbs had the Rebels pushed back in numbers.

However, Wexford quickly realised they were up against the best defensive unit in the division and long-range efforts from Crowley were as close as they got for most of the half. Dobbs had a great chance following Crowley’s delivery on 30 minutes but his resulting header went square at Harrington.

Ian Ryan’s men continued in this vein after the break, notably now controlling possession even more as Cork seemed settled on sitting back and running down the clock. Eoin Farrell who’s recently joined from UCD was moved into Wexford’s midfield and provided a silky display.

However, Colin Healy’s game plan was imminent and Cork didn’t flinch in what was a disciplined back line. Aaron Bolger is worth a mention who seemingly covered every blade, while Jonas Hakkinen swept up to no error at centre-half.

Ultimately the Slaneysiders lacked the key incision to get the leveller, despite subs Adam Wells and Ger Shortt offering renewed energy. They would get one last chance once again through Dobbs, but his quick volley as a ball broke into the area was saved excellently by Harrington.

Cork ran down the clock frequently late on but the referee didn’t stop it, and with Galway winning tonight the result will be all that matters for Healy and his men. Wexford will be disappointed as one lack of concentration in the early minutes proved costly.

Wexford FC

13Alex Moody Goalkeeper
4Paul Cleary Defender
5Joseph Manley Defender
6Luka Lovic Midfielder
7Conor Crowley 14 Midfielder
8Conor Barry 22 Midfielder
11Aaron Dobbs Forward
12Thomas Considine Defender
16Len O’Sullivan 17 Defender
21Harry Groome 2 Midfielder
24Eoin Farrell Forward
1Paul Hunt Goalkeeper
2Aidan Friel 21 Defender
14Dinny Corcoran 7 Forward
15Mitchell Byrne Defender
17Adam Wells 16 Defender
18Luke Scanlon Midfielder
19Evan Farrell Forward
22Ger Shortt 8 Forward
30Sean Fitzpatrick Forward

Cork City

13David Harrington Goalkeeper
4Cian Coleman Midfielder
8Aaron Bolger Midfielder
9Ruairi Keating 40 Forward
10Barry Coffey 19 Midfielder
15Matt Healy Midfielder
17Darragh Crowley Forward
18Joshua Honohan Defender 4'
22James Doona 7 Midfielder
24Cian Murphy 11 Forward
28Jonas Hakkinen Defender
20Jimmy Corcoran Goalkeeper
2Uniss Kargbo Defender
3Ronan Hurley Defender
7Dylan McGlade 22 Midfielder
11Cian Bargary 24 Forward
14Kevin O’Connor Defender
19Matt Srbely 10 Midfielder
25Gordon Walker Defender
40Louis Britton 9 Forward
  • Full-time. Wexford FC 0-1 Cork City

  • 95'

    Coming to the end of the added six minutes here. Cork holding on for dear life but don't look like conceding at the same time

  • 88'

    Another change from Colin Healy. Barry Coffee comes off and Matt Srbely enters the fray

  • 87'

    Moody saves well after a shot from range by Matt Healy

  • 85'

    New signing Louis Britton replaces Keating for the travelling side

  • 82'

    Dobbs with a great chance as the ball fell kindly to him in the box but a great reaction save from Harrington kept him out

  • 79'

    Wexford a bit short on energy currently and it's looking like an away win is on the cards here

  • 71'

    Ian Ryan brings Dinny Corcoran on for Crowley as his side chase the leveller

  • 64'

    Double sub from both gaffers. Adam Wells and Ger Shortt replace Len O'Sullivan and Barry for Wexford. As for Cork, Dylan McGlade comes on for James Doona while Cian Bargary is on in place of Murphy

  • 60'

    Sublime feet from Cork's Aaron Bolger allows him to find a yard in the box, but his attempted dink is caught by Moody

  • 57'

    Conor Barry finds some space in a good area on the left but hits a tame effort at Harrington

  • 52'

    The Youth playing good football and their midfield isn't being pressed by City. Eoin Farrell has moved in to the centre now and his controlling the tempo excellently

  • 46'

    The hosts have come out the traps and are playing with real intent early on

  • We're back underway here. Aidan Friel replaces Groome for Wexford for the game's first substitution

  • Half-time in the South-East and it's Wexford FC 0-1 Cork City

  • 42'

    The visitors actually being forced to sit back now approaching the break as Wexford continue to move it well

  • 38'

    Crowley threatening again with that right boot. This time dragging an effort a whisker wide of Harrington's post

  • 37'

    Chance for Groome who arrived late and latched on to a bouncing ball on the Rebels' area but got far too much height

  • 35'

    Wexford arguably the better side to this point and have had good spells of possession but just struggling to break down the league leaders

  • 31'

    A really nice delivery from a free-kick by Crowley found the head of Aaron Dobbs who unfortunately headed straight at David Harrington

  • 27'

    Cian Murphy down feeling a knock at the minute as the players take a water break

  • 23'

    Crowley goes close again

  • 22'

    Some good play from the Slaneysiders sees Thomas Considine find Conor Crowley on the edge but he blazed his attempt well over

  • 19'

    Keating with a wild audacious volley from range that goes harmlessly over

  • 15'

    Harry Groome bursts to the by-line brilliantly and gets a ball in before Paul Cleary's shot looked like it hit the hand of a Cork defender. However the scrap that followed on the goal-line made it difficult for the referee. Better from Ian Ryan's side

  • 14'

    Wexford settling a bit now and moving the ball around well but Cork remain solid

  • 11'

    Ruairi Keating with another chance for the visitors but his header is saved easily by Alex Moody

  • 8'

    Hosts looking a bit flat here and Healy's men continue to push up the field

  • 4'

    Early goal for Cork who've started better. Joshua Honohan gets onto a loose ball after a corner and heads powerfully into top left corner

  • We're off at the Ferrycarrig

  • Cork team news: Ally Gilchrist is still out with a hamstring injury while David Harrington is back fit to play in goal according to City boss Colin Healy. Barry Coffee starts having joined from Celtic's B side

  • Wexford team news: Joe Manley and Len O'Sullivan come into the first 11. New signing Eoin Farrell starts while Ger Shortt is on the bench

  • Both sides come into the game on top form. Wexford are unbeaten in seven while league leaders Cork have still only lost once in 2022

  • Con Sheehan here reporting as Wexford FC host Cork City in the First Division. Kick-off is 7:45 pm at Ferrycarrig Park

Past Meetings

(Round 17)
1 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Wexford FC

(Round 8)
0 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Cork City

(Series 25)
4 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Wexford FC

(Series 16)
0 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Cork City

(Series 7)
5 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Wexford FC

5
LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City FC v Wexford FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Cork City FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City FC v Wexford FC

Ground

Ferrycarrig Park
Ferrycarrig Park, Kilpatrick, The Borough District of Wexford, County Wexford, Leinster, Y35 E296, Ireland

21 year old sports journalist from Drogheda. Student at Dublin City University. Drogheda United Correspondent for FinalWhistle.ie