Karl Chambers powered home an excellent header as Longford Town rescued a deserved point against Cork City.
Cian Bargary’s wonder strike had given Cork the lead on 16 minutes. The hosts huffed and puffed to equalise before Chambers found the net.
Town started the contest well, displaying a confidence on the ball in the late evening summer sun.
The hosts came close to opening the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock. Captain Sam Verdon’s 20-yard shot, flew past Harrington hitting the inside of the right post before spinning across goal, hitting the second post before bouncing clear.
It was a matter of not taking your chances as City took the lead near immediately. Cian Bargary collected a quick throw-in and return from Kevin O’Connor.
From the left wing, Bargary took the ball on his right foot and curled it into the top left corner.
What a hit! ?
Cian Bargary opens the scoring for Cork City with a fine strike from the edge of the box @LongfordTownFC 0-1 @CorkCityFC
Sign up ? | https://t.co/7rzXOfm8p9#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/vF3X97H4rr
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) June 18, 2022
Town had a big call for a penalty on 27 minutes. The loose high ball was contested by Cristian Magerusan and Jonas Jakkinen.
Jakkinen’s head connected with Megerusan leaving with both on the ground. Referee Oliver Moran waived away the protest. At best it was a 50/50 shout.
Town had the best chance of equalising on 33 minutes. Graydon broke down the right wing and found Sam Verdon in the box. Verdon’s effort came back off Hakkinen.
Magerusan pounced on the loose ball but a brave block from Gilchrist who injured himself in the process.
Longford had the first real chance of the second-half. Joe Power’s break down the left however was scuffed out at the near post by the Cork defence.
Cork’s first chance of the half came on 54 minutes. Town backed off Aaron Bolger who shot from 20 yards. Dennison covered the shot low to his left and pushed it away for a corner.
Magerusan came close again to equalising four minutes later. Shane Elworthy’s excellent cross found Megerusan who couldn’t get a clean connection under Josh Honohan’s pressure. The ball trickled wide.
63 minutes were on the clock when town came close again. Elworthy’s cross found Verdon at the back post. The excellent header was headed off the line by Honohan.
Cork City goalkeeper coach Mark McNulty was given a yellow card after a report from fourth official Eoghan O’Shea.
Dennison produced a quick sliding save from Mark O’Mahony. The defending Michael Barker had to be removed from the game after injuring himself in defence.
The town keeper was at his best again on 74 minutes. Bargary skipped past two defenders and curled a shot off his right foot. Dennison was equal to the effort pushing the ball away.
Verdon came close again to equalising 15 minutes from time. Graydon was at his creative best down the right wing. The cross was flicked away by Cork’s Coates into the path of Verdon. Verdon’s powerful header was straight at Harrington.
The equaliser finally came on 85 minutes. Dylan Barnett’s corner found an unmarked Karl Chambers who planted his header across goal into corner.
It was a deserved equaliser for Town as the sides shared the spoils for the third time this season.
Longford Town: Denniston, Elworthy, Barker (O’Donnell 71), Barnett, Lynch, Graydon (Warfield 83), McMenamy, Robinson, Power (Molloy 79), Verdon, Magerusan (Chambers 79)
Cork City: Harrington, Hakkinen, Gilchrist (Hurley 35), Honohan, Coates, O’Connor, Bolger, Srbely, Bargary, Murphy, O’Mahony (Umeh 90+1)
Referee: Oliver Moran (Mayo)
