One would be forgiven for thinking that Derry City's recent spate of late goals had been intentional.

Conor Sammon's injury time equaliser against Cork City on Friday evening ensures that the Candy Stripes remain unbeaten this season with seven points from a possible nine.

For 93 minutes it appeared that Dave Mooney's 12th minute strike was going to be enough to give the Rebel Army their first win of the new season.

Having drawn with Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers, Alan Matthews' team may feel that a share of the spoils was not a true reflection of the Turner's Cross showdown.

Be that as it may, Derry City were stubborn in their approach and their conviction reaped priceless rewards when former UCD front man Sammon netted the all important goal inside the 4th minute of second half injury time.

The travelling supporters thought they were off to a good start when Derry striker Kevin McHugh pounced in the opening minutes but, the Killea man's close range effort failed to test Cork keeper Michael Devine.

In the days leading up to game with Derry City, last season's top goal scorer, Dave Mooney said that he saw the fixture as the perfect opportunity for both himself and Cork City to kick start the new season.

The former Shamrock Rovers player lived up to his promise when he scored his first goal for his new club in the 12th minute.

Colin Healey took full advantage when Derry defender, Clive Delaney, gave away possession. Republic of Ireland international, Healey, raced down the right and sent his cross towards Mooney in the Derry area.

Aware of presence of both Peter Hutton and Delaney, Mooney moved just outside the area to unleash a perfect finish into the bottom corner of the net.

Minutes later and Kevin McHugh could only hold his head in his hands when his shot from outside the Cork penalty went inches wide of the post.

Cillian Lordan should have perhaps made it 2-0 to the home side when he headed from five yards out straight into the hands of Doherty.

Just before the half hour mark, Clive Delaney's fortunate clearance fell to feet of the on-rushing McHugh who glided past George O'Callaghan with great ease.

McHugh's shot was well-timed but in the end it was a comfortable save for Devine.

Cork were the better of the two sides in the opening period and Derry's defence looked uncomfortable at times and silly mistakes were starting to happen on an all too frequent basis – a Cork City win was looking more and more likely.

At half-time, Stephen Kenny decided to replace midfielder, Ciaran Martyn with Mark Farren who had scored in Derry's two previous league matches against UCD and Finn Harps respectively. Farren's introduction was apparent as Derry started to create more chances when going forward.

Cork had yet another fantastic opportunity to further the lead when in the 49th minute John O'Flynn found himself in a great position just inside the Derry area. Remarkably, Doherty reacted quickly and managed to get enough on the ball as he tipped it round his far post and therefore avoiding what was an almost certain goal.

Derry struggled to contain the midfield duo of Colin Healey and Joe Gamble for most of the second half. Frustration was clearly setting in as the Foylesiders consistently squandered possession and it was difficult to see how they were going get past Devine in the Cork goal.

Dave Mooney should have scored his second goal of the game in the 72nd minute when after a fantastic cross from Colin Healey, Liam Kearney headed the ball back across goal from the far post but Mooney's effort lacked conviction and yet another chance had gone a begging for Alan Matthews' men.

With five minutes remaining, Barry Molloy passed to Mark Farren just inside the Cork area. Farren's run was timed to perfection and as he raced into the Cork area Devine dashed from his line to save what looked like an almost certain goal.

Derry's patience and refusal to give in paid off deep into injury time when Conor Sammon scored to send the travelling band of supporters into joyous cheers of delight.

Substitute Owen Morrison played a cross field ball towards Kevin McHugh inside the home team's penalty area. McHugh took the ball towards the touchline and going past Cillian Lordan the Donegal man fired his pass across the face of the Cork goal. Luckily, Sammon was in the perfect position at the back post to guide the ball into the net from close range.

Seconds later and referee Ritchie Winters signalled for full-time. It was a fantastic result for Derry City especially when one considers the fact that Cork City are regarded as one of the teams who will be challenging for this season's championship.

It was a convincing performance from Stephen Kenny's men but with seven points accumulated from a possible nine on offer, the affable Dubliner will be happy with how the season has gone so far but will almost certainly be under no illusion that certain aspects of the team require improving if they are to stand a realistic chance of challenging for the 2008 eircom Premier Division title.


CORK: (4-4-2) Michael Devine; Neal Horgan, Dan Murray, Cillian Lordan, Darren Murphy; George O'Callaghan, Joe Gamble, Colin Healy, Liam Kearney; Dave Mooney (Patrick Sullivan 80mins), John O'Flynn (Denis Behan 60mins).
DERRY: (4-4-1-1) Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Stephen Gray; Niall McGinn (Conor Sammon 64mins), Barry Molloy, Ciaran Martyn (Mark Farren 45mins), Pat McCourt (Owen Morrison 75mins), Ruaidhri Higgins; Kevin McHugh.
Referee: Mr. Ritchie Winters (Dublin).