Baldrick the Cat – one of our forum posters has been in Ireland on business. He went to Cork City’s match the other night. Was it their last?

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An update – Cork got a stay of execution after agreeing to pay half the outstanding debt to the taxman today. However the balance is due by next Weds, so they are not safe yet.

I decided to go off to the match, in case it turned out to be their last ever.

With the Cork players turning up without pay, and having sold a couple of their number in mid-week I wasn’t sure what to expect, even though they are 3rd in the Irish League & playing at home to the bottom club, Bray Wanderers.

The Cork ground is pretty compact, andI was relieved to find a place in the stands to escape the rain which had been belting down all day. Despite the rains, the pitch held up pretty well although I suspect Messrs & Strauss would have managed to sink a cricket ball a few feet underground.

Cork is renowned for their “Rebel Army” in “The Shed” & I was fortunate to be sat next to them.

For a crowd of just over 3,000 they drummed up a fair amount of noise, and with the odd firework, the atmosphere was worth the entrance fee (15 Euro) on its own.

It’s definitely the first (and probably last) time I’ve heard a crowd singing “I bet you don’t believe us, we’re going to pay our tax.”

For the record, Cork were by far the stronger team in the first half, and went in at half time with a deserved 1-0 lead from a somewhat fortuitous penalty.

In the second half Bray came back into the game and despite getting a player sent off for 2 rapid bookings (both dissent, I think) dominated the proceedings.

In the end Cork held out for a victory that takes them level on points with Shamrock Rovers in 2nd.

Whilst the quality of the football was probably League 2 / Conference, there were a few patches of good skill despite the conditions & it was a most entertaining evening.

Long Live the Rebel Army

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We hope that Cork do survive and J&S offers our support to the fans of the club.

Kev