Derry City move into fourth spot after superb second half comeback against Cork City

DERRY CITY produced a superb second half comeback against Cork City to jump three places into fourth spot in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table.

Cork stunned their hosts when taking a third minute lead through Arsenal loanee, Joseph Olowu after a mistake from Peter Cherrie.

Ibrahim Meite struck the post after racing in behind the Cork defence but Derry were left with plenty to do after the break.

And the Candy Stripes rallied to produce an impressive comeback with two goals in the space of three minutes.

Cork keeper, Mark McNulty failed to claim Ciaran Coll's cross and when Jack Malone found Walter Figueira, the City forward sent his effort into the net.

Meite's close range shot was saved by McNulty but Adam Hammill finished the rebound clinically for his first Derry City goal on his full debut.

Cherrie redeemed himself with an outstanding save to deny Cork debutante, Connor Simpson late on before City sub, James Akintunde settled any nerves with a neat finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Derry registered a first home win since February.

Declan Devine made three changes from the team which were held 1-1 at Shelbourne as former Barnsley ace, Adam Hammill handed his first start for the club.

Former Cork City skipper, Conor McCormack who was sent off in this fixture last season for the Rebels, returned to the City starting XI alongside Jack Malone. Gerardo Bruna missed out completely while both Ciaron Harkin and Stephen Mallon were dropped to the bench.

Neal Fenn was without experienced Graham Cummings (groin) but Preston loanee, Connor Simpson was handed his debut after completing his quarantine phase. He was one of two changes alongside Charlie Fleming with Kit Elliott and Uniss Kargbo missing out.

Cork went into the game unbeaten in their last three fixtures, boasting three clean sheets and three points would've seen them leapfrog Derry.

The Leesiders stunned their hosts after just three minutes as they hit the front following Kevin O'Connor's free-kick from wide on the left.

Simpson rose in a crowded penalty area and did enough to put off City keeper, Peter Cherrie who failed to claim the ball and it fell kindly to Olowu who reacted quickest and fired it into the top corner from close range.

Derry midfielder Malone tried his luck from the edge of the Cork penalty area with a low drive and Mark McNulty parried it away on eight minutes.

Ciaron Coll whipped in a tremendous cross from the left but Walter Figueira couldn't get that vital touch in the six yard box as Derry tried desperately to get back in the game.

Derry came so close to equalising on 14 minutes as Meite latched onto Hammill's pass and ran at the Cork defence. The striker, who scored on his debut at Tolka Park last weekend, nutmegged Alan Bennett before striking the foot of the far post.

It was a good response by Derry but the home side didn't test McNulty until the 42nd minute when the lively Hammill's strike from 25 yards sailed into the Cork keeper's hands.

Moments later Figueira received the ball wide on the left and cut inside before curling an effort towards the bottom corner but McNulty responded with a terrific save at full stretch to turn it behind.

From the resultant corner, Hammill found Darren Cole who peeled off his marker but the Scotsman sent his header wide.

Derry began the second half with intent and when Hammill sent Ciaran Coll into space on the left the Donegal man's dangerous low cross into the six yard box was cut out bravely by Rob Slevin under pressure from Meite.

The Candystripes finally found the back of the net on 50 minutes when Coll's cross from deep was dropped by McNulty. Malone kept the move alive finding Figueira and his strike hit a Cork defender before nestling into the net.

Three minutes later Derry turned the game on its head as McCormack sent Meite through on goal and the big striker showed great feet inside the area before striking low towards goal. McNulty did well to save at point blank range but Hammill was on hand to fire in the rebound.

Derry substitutes combined with eight minutes to go as James Akintunde found Stephen Mallon in space inside the Cork penalty area and the Sheffield United loanee struck the upright with his effort.

The Leesiders were still in the game and Cherrie produced a magnificent save low to his right to deny Simpson's downward header with five minutes remaining.

Cork were pressing for an equaliser in the final minutes of the game and from a promising position, Kevin O'Connor curled a free-kick

McNulty then denied Akintunde Derry's third deep into stoppage time after a quick counter attack with a superb save with his feet.

It was a nervous finale for the home side but Akintunde then did well to turn just inside the box and then buried his shot into the bottom corner to secure the victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Derry City: P. Cherrie; C. Horgan, E. Toal, D. Cole, C. Coll; A. Hammill (Akintunde 61), C. McCormack, J. Thomson (C. Harkin 82) J. Malone, W. Figueira (S. Mallon 75); I. Meite (J. Dunwoody 61); Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, C. Clifford, M. McChrystal.

Cork City: M. McNulty: C. Fleming, A. Bennett. J. Olowu (R. Hurley 33), R. Slevin (G. Morrissey 60), H. Ochieng (D. McGlade 84), C. Coleman, K. O'Connor, D. Dalling, S. Fenwick (R. Dinanga 60); C. Simpson; Subs Not Used - L. Bossin, D. O'Connor, C. Murphy.

Referee - Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan)