No repeat home win over Bohemians as Cork City slip further into danger zone
Premier Division: Cork City 0 Bohemians 2 (Meekison 11', Rooney 44')
Ger Nash had called for a 90-minute performance from Cork City but it was evident within nine that their decline was deepening.
Defeat here extended the winless run to eight and the Rebel Army will plunge to rock bottom if Sligo Rovers avoid defeat in their game in hand on Saturday against Waterford.
Bohs are one of two teams City have beaten this season but Alan Reynolds has sculpted his Gypsies into potential title contenders by fusing defensive solidity with an array of attacking options.
City have yet to master either aspect and the boos ringing out at the end indicated that this was no hard-luck story. They're the only team still to keep a clean sheet, all of 19 games into the season.
Trips to Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United next in a double-match long weekend underscore the task facing Nash and his new assistant David Meyler to produce a rescue act.
A mere six minutes had elapsed when Archie Meekison was let roam unattended behind Milan Mbeng to cut in on goal. His inaccuracy with the shot past the far post was a blessing for the hosts.
Archie Meekison of Bohemians celebrates. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Warning signs didn't stick as City were caught square again for the opener on 11 minutes. From their own free-kick into the box that was cleared, hesitancy by Darragh Crowley on the halfway line was capitalised on by Meekison.
He sprinted clear and despite Tein Troost forcing him wide, he circled back, gave the retreating Evan McLaughlin the slip and virtually walked the ball into the net.
Adam McDonnell's claims for handball on the block Freddie Anderson applied to his shot were dismissed but it has to be said they were otherwise favoured by referee Paul Norton.
Bafflement surrounded free-kicks for Bohs on two occasions when it was evident Djanairo Daniels and Seáni Maguire were the victims.
City may be in the doldrums but there was star gazing for their fans.
On scouting duty was Neil Lennon, these days seeking talent for Scottish Championship Dunfermline rather than Celtic.
Identifying the Bohs central defensive unit of Leigh Kavanagh and Sean Grehan illustrates his eye remains sharp.
Another familiar face on the lookout for a bargain was ex-Sligo Rovers supremo Paul Cook, who took his promoted Chesterfield into a recent League Two playoff.
There were also reminders of City's glory days of the 2017 double by the presence of Steven Beattie, back from Dubai on a short break, and club legend Mark McNulty.
The latter was drafted in as goalkeeping coach in a bid to what Ger Nash branded a staff refresh. Meyler was also on his first duties since the Ireland international rejoined his first professional club in a coaching capacity.
In terms of players, the operation will be akin to a facelift, much out of it beyond Nash's control but plenty to do with necessity.
Troost would be the biggest loss of the loanees returning to parent clubs, for his worth was once again exemplified here.
From turning over Kavanagh's first-half rising volley to pawing away a goalbound hook from Ross Tierney, sourcing a capable replacement will be the challenge of the summer window.
Of similar impact will be the departure of Cathal O'Sullivan. Grehan is soon heading back to Crystal Palace and might be joined by the exquisite gem that is the Cork City winger.
As had been the pattern this season, City's creative influence on the right was man-marked but there was little service from back to front to activate his repertoire.
He did get to showcase it in a rare reprieve from Bohs dominance midway between the two goals approaching the interval.
Firstly, his trickery on the right teed up Mbeng to deliver a cross which Daniels was unable to apply a clean connection on with his head.
From the recycled ball on the left, Josh Fitzpatrick whipped in another delivery that fell at the back post to O'Sullivan, who couldn't steer his header home.
Moments later, Dayle Rooney made it 2-0 by tapping home a loose ball after Tierney was denied by Troost.
Maguire might have made it an interesting finale had his shot with 20 minutes left not been deflected wide but he was soon withdrawn due to ongoing load management.
All part of the conditions City are facing to avoid a second relegation in three years.
CORK CITY: T Troost; M Mbeng, F Anderson, C Lyons, D Crowley (K Nelson 46); S Murray (G Bolger 54), E McLaughlin (R Shipston 71); C O'Sullivan, S Maguire (M Dijksteel 76), J Fitzpatrick; D Daniels.
BOHEMIANS: K Chorazka; N Morahan, L Kavanagh, S Grehan, J Flores; D Devoy, A McDonnell (K Buckley 74); D Rooney, R Tierney, A Meekison (R Brennan 74); J Clarke (C Whelan 74).
Referee: Paul Norton.
Attendance: 3,215.
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