The Airtricity League Premier Division title race has been blown open tonight.
Cork City, four points behind leaders Dundalk going into tonight’s games, got a big win at Galway United while the champions lost at home to Sligo Rovers.
City’s 5-0 win at Eamonn Deacy Park combined with Dundalk’s 3-0 defeat to the Bit O’ Red at Oriel Park means Cork have 61 points and are just a point behind the leaders.
Cork also have a better goal difference, plus 39, than Dundalk who have plus 37, ahead of what looks like a winner-takes-all clash at Oriel Park between them on Tuesday night.
The Leesiders got off to the perfect start with a goal in less than two minutes courtesy of a Sean Maguire header from Karl Sheppard’s cross.
02: Goal!!!!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 8, 2016
Galway 0-1 Cork. That man again Sean Maguire for @CorkCityFC after just 80 seconds! #TheTitleRace https://t.co/f46NgRgdaR
However, Dundalk had a disastrous start after their goalkeeper Gary Rogers fumbled a back pass to allow Achille Campion an easy tap-in.
On 15 minutes, Sheppard was the provider again for City with another cross from down the right across the penalty area for Stephen Dooley to stroke it past United’s goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.
15: Goal!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 8, 2016
Galway 0-2 Cork! What an opening 15 minutes from @CorkCityFC! Stephen Dooley makes it two! #TheTitleRace https://t.co/kosb0aJvdw
It took only another three minutes for Sheppard’s third assist, another cross, this time for Garry Buckley to head into the Galway net.
19: Goal!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 8, 2016
Galway 0-3 Cork. Is that game over? Garry Buckley heads in from close range to make it 3! #TheTitleRace https://t.co/IKdEUFlIsJ
At Oriel Park, things got worse for the reigning champions eight minutes before the break.
They lost the ball in midfield, allowing Raffaele Cretaro to find Phil Roberts on the left of the Dundalk box before he curled the ball past Rogers to double their lead.
It took only three minutes of the second half for Cork to stretch their lead over Galway, Sean Maguire adding to his first-half goal to make it 4-0 to the Leesiders.
48: Goal!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 8, 2016
Galway 0-4 Cork. He's done it again! Sean Maguire with his second of the night! #TheTitleRace https://t.co/ErnAgDughI
In Louth, Sligo Rovers stretched their lead even further, despite their winger Liam Martin being sent off, as Cretaro again sped into the Dundalk box and struck the net to make it 3-0 to the away side.
Cork City, in total control against Galway, scored deep into injury time through substitute Chiedozie Ogbene to give them a great chance of overtaking Dundalk in the title race.
