REBEL TREBLE
Maguire’s hat-trick extends Cork lead
RESISTANCE is futile. Rebel glory is now inevitable as Cork City continued their relentless march towards the Premier Division title, opening up an 18-point lead on champions Dundalk.
And they sealed it with a hattrick from the sensational Sean Maguire, who copperfastened his reputation as a striker of the highest quality with another top class display.
John Caulfield’s side are on a single-minded quest for complete domination this season and talk can now take a serious turn over the mid-season break as to whether the Leesiders will go the remainder of the campaign unbeaten.
At the home of the club that has set the benchmark over the last three years, Cork were superior in every department.
Maguire’s treble secured all three points – Cork’s 16th win of the season – and the young forward’s scoring record is remarkable; 16 goals from 17 games.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and assistant Roy Keane were there to watch and while there was more than a whiff of controversy surrounding his second – John Dunleavy took a quick, foul throw against the back of Jimmy Keohane in the immediate build-up — there can be no denying Cork were worthy winners.
European football will come later this summer and perhaps there will be a blip on the domestic front as a result, but after this resounding victory they can afford it.
Maguire has already attracted interest and a move to Preston North End appears to be imminent once the transfer window opens in July.
His goals have already set Cork on course for a celebration, though, and this win was also built on the grit of the returning Alan Bennett at the heart of the defence as well as endeavour of Conor McCormack screening in front of the back four.
For Dundalk, they have been kings of Ireland for the last three years but will soon be dethroned. There can be no doubt about that now.
It will hurt manager Stephen Kenny that they have relinquished their crown when the evenings are still bright and still in school.
He is a proud man and he has built a football club from nothing.
He must now concentrate on salvaging this season in Europe and building towards 2018. It must seem a long way away right now but if there is any manager who can revitalise the Lilywhites it is Kenny.
Today, tomorrow and the next few months belong to Caulfield, though.
A man who has seen Kenny raise his hand every season and has continually returned to the table to challenge.
Now his side sit top, 18 points clear, and Maguire is the man who takes the headlines. His first goal came after 19 minutes, finishing in the six-yard box with predatory precision.
The brace was secured in the 70th minute when he showed greater anticipation than centre-back Paddy Barrett and headed home Dunleavy’s cross after the full-back’s cheeky quick throw.
And the hat-trick was competed when he pounced on Dane Massey’s miscued clearance to fire to the net.
He kissed the crest as he celebrated and whether or not it was a kiss goodbye, the damage has already been done.