3 v 0 
Sligo Rovers| 7' John Mahon | ||
| Aaron Bolger 25' | ||
| Ruairi Keating 27' | 1-0 | |
| 62' Nando Pijnaker | ||
| Ruairi Keating 64' | 2-0 | |
| Ruairi Keating 74' | 3-0 |
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2023 |
Match Report
A hat trick from Ruairi Keating helped Cork to a crucial 3-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Sligo Rovers at Turners Cross this evening. Sligo started the brighter with Fabrice Hartmann proving to be particularly influential in midfield along with Garry Buckley who went close to opening the scoring on 21 minutes. City to their credit, grew into the game and their efforts were rewarded on 27 minutes when Ruairi Keating slotted home from the penalty spot after Conor Walsh brought down Jaze Kabia in the box. It could have been two, just a few minutes later if it wasn't for Walsh making an excellent save denying Josh Honohan's header from a Ben Worman free kick. The visitors had a penalty shout of their own just before the break when Reece Hutchinson went down in the box before being booked for diving. Sligo continued to pick up where they left off in the second half with Hartmann forcing a good save out of Ollie Byrne after good link up play between Hartmann and Bolger. However, just as visitors gained a foothold in the game, Keating doubled his and City's tally in the 64th minute after a quick Cian Bargary throw caught the visitors napping at the back. Indeed, two became three, ten minutes later as Keating got his hat trick when his left footed effort when through the legs of Walsh to effectively end the game as a contest. Both sides rang the subs in the final ten minutes with City easing their way to victory in the end and importantly for them, bringing the gap back to just three points against tonight's opponents.Cork City defeat Bit O’Red to improve survival chances
Timeline
| 7' | 21. John Mahon | |
| Aaron Bolger | 25' | |
| 9. Ruairi Keating | 27' | |
| Kevin Čustović Gordon Walker |
38' | |
| 39' | Stefan Radosavljevic Robbie Burton |
|
| 58' | Frank Liivak Johan Brannefalk |
|
| 62' | 28. Nando Pijnaker | |
| 9. Ruairi Keating | 64' | |
| 9. Ruairi Keating | 74' | |
| Ruairi Keating Babatunde Owolabi |
83' | |
| Jaze Kabia Cian Murphy |
83' |
Past Meetings
Ground
| Turner's Cross |
|---|
| Beaufort Park, Turner\'s Cross C, Cork, County Cork, Munster, T12 E3H5, Ireland |
Sam Curtin
Sam is an avid sports enthusiast who has been working in journalism since he was 16. Along with his work, he also plays tennis and is a Government and Political Science student at UCC. Most importantly of all however is that he's from Cork.
Full time as City run out 3-0 victors over Sligo thanks to a Ruairi Keating hat trick that also cuts the gap between the sides to three points in the table.
Double City sub as Tunde Owolabi, Cian Murphy come on for Ruairí Keating, Jaze Kabila
Sub for Sligo as Karl O\'Sullivan comes on for Hartmann.
Keating gets his hat trick to surely seal the points for Cork.
Keating nearly gets his hat trick after evading the Sligo defence but Walsh does well to deny him.
Keating doubles City's lead with a clinical finish to make it 2-0.
Sub for Sligo as Johan Brannefalk comes on for Liivak
Keating proving to be a thorn in Sligo's side tonight, repeatedly drawing fouls and making audacious runs.
Good play from Bolger and Hutchinson who link up well before finding Hartmann who forces a good save out of Byrne.
Back underway.
Half time with Keating's penalty the difference as City lead 1-0.
Claims from the Sligo players for a penalty but the referee says Hutchinson dived and is booked.
Radosavljevic has to go off injured with Robbie Burton on in his place for Sligo.
Custovic is forced off for City through injury with Gordon Walker coming on in his place.
At the other end of the field, Walsh makes an excellent save to deny Honohan's header from a Worman free kick.
The Bit O'Red have tried to apply some pressure in the last few minutes with a series of corners coming and going.
Keating scores, 1-0 City.
Penalty for City, Keating is going to be the man to step up....
City's Aaron Bolger booked for a clumsy challenge on Hartmann.
Martelo does really well for Sligo showing great feet to turn away from the City defence with the move eventually ending up in the feet of Garry Buckley whose shot goes wide.
It's been a game short on chances so far it has to be said with both sides looking tentative in possession.
John Mahon is booked for Sligo for a challenge 30 yards out from goal.
Early pressure from Sligo but City manage to weather the storm.
Underway
Hello and welcome to live updates of Cork City v Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division. Kick off from Turners Cross is at 7.45 with team news on the way shortly.