ON-LOAN Celtic goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi had a league debut to forget as Cork City endured a bruising return to the Premier Division against a new-look Bohemians side.
The England underage international’s howler early in the second-half gifted the Gypsies their second goal of a Turner’s Cross win that should have been far more comfortable than it ultimately was.
The Dubliners were too strong, quick and skillful for their youthful opponents - but were still grateful for the helping hand as Cork twice came close to an injury-time equaliser.
Bohs goalkeeper James Talbot offered the hosts a late route back into the game with a gaffe of his own.
It would have been more costly had his opposite number Oluwayemi not jumped out of the way of Jordan Flores’s 53rd minute strike, which was hit straight down the middle.
Flores robbed another debut maker in full-back Kevin Custovic, cut in from the left and let fly.
The City keeper seemed well placed to make a comfortable stop, but jumped to his left and could only watch as the ball fizzed past him.
Bohs’ opener, which came in the 19th minute from the head of Grant Horton, was courtesy of another helping hand from their hosts.
Cork centre-half Ally Gilchrist looked to have Horton under wraps at the back post as Ali Coote played a short corner to Jonathan Afolabi.
As Coote received the ball back and danced around the challenge of Cian Bargary, Leesiders midfielder Aaron Bolger pushed Horton away from his marker.
Horton threw his arms out for a split second, the beginnings of a penalty appeal, before he realised he was in acres of space and in the flight path of Coote’s cross.
He met the ball with a powerful header, which he directed back across the face of goal and inside the right-hand upright.
A couple of lessons for this young Cork side to take with them into what could be a long season.
Bohs goalkeeper Talbot is far more experienced than his Leesiders counterpart and is talented enough to have earned several senior Ireland call-ups.
However, he too suffered from the early-season jitters last night as Cork were given hope of a late comeback.
With seven minutes on the clock, Talbot raced from his area to meet a through-ball, and seemed caught in two minds over whether to clear it or take a touch.
In the end, it squirmed under his boot and Ruairí Keating reacted quickly to pass the ball into an empty net from 20 yards.
Cork mounted a couple of late attacks, and were heartened by the addition of five extra minutes, but couldn’t find an equaliser - with Paddy Kirk clearing one chance off the line and Talbot saving another, a Darragh Crowley header, on his line.
Despite the late surge, City manager Colin Healy has plenty to chew over ahead of next week’s trip to Derry.
He started four new signings, including goalkeeper Oluwayemi, Albin Winbo, Kevin Custovic and Tunde Owolabi, and brought two more off the bench.
After a promising early start, they began to struggle with Bohs’ pace, power and experience.
Declan Devine started seven new signings, including the returning Horton and skipper Keith Buckley.
Afolabi looked a much sharper prospect up-front after a full pre-season and Coote was excellent at the top of Bohs’ midfield.
Dylan Connolly, on his return to the League of Ireland from Morecambe, had a handful of chances to showcase his trickery and pace.
On one occasion, he skipped past Josh Honohan and pulled the ball back to the edge of the area.
Afolabi, with his back to goal, gathered instead of leaving it to another newcomer in Adam McDonnell, who was in a better position to shoot.
There were chances too for James Akintunde, who headed Buckley’s cross wide from five yards, and Afolabi, who was denied by a smart Oluwayemi save.
It should have been far more comfortable for the visitors, but in the end they were happy just to take the three points home.
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