I want to be fair here. Because of my connection with City I do not wish to to appear sanctimonious or smug in things I have to say. Of course, as I am now making my living by commenting on Cork City and all the other eircom League teams you as a reader will only take those comments seriously if they are both fair and constructive whether its praise or criticism that I write.

In the first half I thought City were too predictable. The weakened back four of St Pat's therefore handled the pressure exerted by the Cork team quite efficiently essentially because Cork got the ball forward too early and too often. In the second half being two goals and a man down, Danny Murphy wrongly being sent off, the City players rose to the challenge by getting hold of the ball.

This patient style of possession broke the pattern and shape of the home team and even with ten men Cork City controlled this important phase of the match. With John O'Flynn doing what he does best, City got back on level terms only for a cruel but nonetheless magnificent goal from a free kick by Keith Fahy, to spoil what would have been a tremendous fight back.

This defeat will be hard to take coming as it does in the wake of the home loss to Drogheda and the upcoming two games with Sligo and Bohemians. However, City cannot, and will not, feel sorry for themselves. A win against Sligo is a must, we all accept that. Three points in the Cross on Friday and a couple of good results elsewhere would offer the Rebel Army more hope and confidence for the big trip to Dalymount Park, a ground where City produced a special performance in last season's FAI Cup semi-Final.

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