Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Galway’s Patrick Hickey and Freddie Anderson of Cork City.Bryan Keane/INPHO Freehard fought Former player comes back to haunt Cork as Galway prevail Conor McCormack had a magic moment late on to decide a drab game. 9.52pm, 23 May 2025 Share options Galway United 2 Cork City 1 Caomhán O’Connell reports from Eamonn Deacy Park AFTER A torrid time with injury, club captain Conor McCormack, a former league winner with Cork, had a magic moment late on to decide a drab game in Galway. His hit and the turn of pace had John Caulfield barrelling down the touchline to embrace his protégé, and it saved this night from obscurity. The weather, the context and a subdued crowd of 1,742 meant it was a tentative start in Eamonn Deacy Park. Milan Mbeng provided the first moment of quality, breaking free on the right, cutting in and drilling dangerously across the face of the goal. Advertisement Djenairo Daniels found space to drive into, but also failed to threaten Evan Watts. Cathal O’Sullivan was bright on the right flank, but otherwise, there was little to recommend a tepid first half. Moses Dyer drew a ripple of applause when he pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 38th minute. Tein Troost was untroubled then, but did make a save from Garry Buckley on the stroke of half-time after a set-piece finally threatened for the home team. The main moment of a poor half happened at the end when a routine long ball befuddled Garry Buckley. Cathal O’ Sullivan pounced, won the ball and went beyond Evan Watts but scuppered his shot with the goal at his mercy. The game came to life in the second. Dyer’s class covered for a poor showing from his side, when he forced the opener. He showed skill but also got good fortune after controlling, running down the wing and shooting. The shot took deflections from Freddie Anderson and Joshua Fitzpatrick before nestling in the net. There was fortune involved in the second as well. Referee Mark Houlihan controversially penalised Jeannot Esua for a penalty on the edge of the box. Replays showed the Cameroonian with his arm tucked behind his back. Daniels was unmoved and gratefully dispatched the penalty to restore a parity they had at least deserved. Pat Hickey and Greg Cunningham (twice) were both close as the game opened up, and United enjoyed their best spell. Sub McCormack pounced on a loose ball in the 85th minute to decide it and gain three crucial points. Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Slevin, Buckley, Cunningham; Byrne, Borden (McCormack 68), Hurley (Walsh 82), McCarthy; Hickey, Dyer (Horgan 88) Cork City: Troost; Mbeng, Anderson (Kiernan 58), Lyons, Crowley; O’ Sullivan, Murray, Shipton (Maguire 45), McLaughlin (Bolger 54), Fitzpatrick (Murray 90); Daniels Ref: M Houlihan CaomhánO'Connell Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Former player comes back to haunt Cork as Galway prevail”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Former player comes back to haunt Cork as Galway prevail”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. 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