Derry City got their first win of the new 2023 season after easing past Cork City.
They Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was packed to see the Candystripes beat the Leesiders 2-0.
Goals in either half by Patrick McEleney and Jordan McEneff sealed the three points.
The home side started on the front studs and went close on seven minutes, but Cork keeper Tobi Oluwayemi parried Ben Doherty’s long range strike away from his goal.
Derry broke the deadlock on 31 minutes when skipper McEleney was afforded time and space and his curling 25 yard strike whistled past Oluwayemi.
Cork should have levelled things just before the break as Barry Coffey got in behind the Derry back-line, but his close range strike from the left hand angle was well kept out by a diving Brian Maher.
The visitors had a half chance early in the second half as Joshua Honohan’s left wing cross found Coffey, but the midfielder’s header at the back post was well off target.
Derry doubled their lead on 64 minutes as a neat passing move down the right ended with Ryan Graydon’s teasing centre finding McEneff and he coolly guided the ball home from close range.
Cork were nearly gifted a goal on 82 minutes as Doherty’s header back to Maher, caught out the keeper, but the Dubliner scrambled back to claw the ball off the line.
Maher was called into action again moments later as Cork hit the home side on the counter attack, but substitute Daniel Krezic’s shot from the left hand angle, was tipped over by the Derry goalkeeper.
Next up for Derry is an away trip to champions Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday, March 3 (kick off 8 pm).
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ciaran Coll, Shane McEleney, Mark Connolly, Ben Doherty; Patrick McEleney, Will Patching, Jordan McEneff (Brandon Kavanagh 74); Ryan Graydon, Jamie McGonigle (Cian Kavanagh 74), Oliver O’Neill (Ronan Boyce 86).
Cork City: Tobi Oluwayemi, CIan Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Aaron Bolger, Ruairi Keating, Barry Coffey (Tunde Owolabi 80), CIan Bargary, Darragh Crowley, Joshuna Honohan, Ethon Varian (Daniel Krezic 70), Jonas Häkkinen.
Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)
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