Cork City will be back competing amongst the best next season after the Rebel Army secured the First Division title at the UCD Bowl on Friday night.
The victory means that City make an immediate return to the Premier Division, and have done so with six games to spare this campaign.
It was an even contest between the top two sides in the division but as they have all season, City found a way to win. They were brave in their press, and in the end, had that little bit of extra quality compared to UCD.
City made three changes from the side that secured that late victory against Longford Town last week. Charlie Lyons, Sean Murray and Cian Bargary came into the starting 11 in place of Niall Brookwell, Jack Doherty and Cathal O’Sullivan, who was unavailable due to his involvement with the U19 Republic of Ireland squad.
There weren’t any chances of note in the early part of the game. UCD looked to play through the thirds with City pressing high against their opponents.
The visitors were more direct with their play with the team frequently looking to get Seani Maguire in behind the Students’ defence.
The home side had the first real effort on goal through Jake Doyle when the UCD midfielder collected the ball close to 30 yards from goal before getting his strike off, which Brad Wade did well to parry away.
Michael Raggett should have done better when he found himself through on goal but he dragged his effort wide. It was a wonderful opportunity for the striker but Wade and Evan McLaughlin deserve credit for their part in putting him off.
Lyons had the ball in the net for the visitors but the goal was ruled out with Lyons marginally offside.
Sean Brennan was next to try his luck for UCD, however he saw his swinging effort sail over the crossbar.
City came within inches of taking the lead when Bargary beautifully controlled Greg Bolger’s pass before driving into the UCD penalty area, only to hit the post from a narrow angle.
The Rebel Army were unlucky not to go in at half-time ahead after Maguire saw his headed effort saved onto the post by Cian Moore.
The 30-year-old had a good opportunity at the beginning of the second half when he was played through on goal by Malik Dijsteel, who perhaps put too much on the pass, and Maguire could not get enough lift on the ball to beat Moore, who did well.
Doyle was foiled again by Wade when he saw his strike stopped by the chest of the keeper.
Wade was in action moments later, this time preventing Raggett.
City went in front after Mclaughlin’s pass into Dijksteel was excellently controlled by the Dutchman, who quickly got the ball out of his feet and fired low into the bottom corner of the net. The goal was one of quality and worthy of being a title-winner.
Moore; O’Regan, Holohan, Clancy, Wells; Doyle, Verdon (Higgins 86), Finn, Parker (Mohan 78), S Brennan (Norval 78); Raggett (A Brennan 86).
Wade; Crowley, Coleman, Lyons, McLaughlin; Bargary (Fitzpatrick 83), Murray (Coffey 65), Bolger, Dijksteel (Drinan 83); Maguire (Murphy 89), Keating.
D Murphy.
