LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION Cork City 4 Galway United 2: IT HAS been another controversial few days in the rarely dull life of Cork City FC but Paul Doolin's side returned to matters on the field of play last night at Turner's Cross.

The club announced on Thursday they’ve agreed a deal with staff regarding the payment of outstanding wages for the remainder of the season – after a week during which the players reportedly considered industrial action to press their claims.

Galway United were the visitors to Turner’s Cross and, despite taking an early lead, Ian Foster’s team left empty-handed as Cork maintained their push for a place in Europe.

Coming into the game on the back of Tuesday evening’s impressive 3-1 win away to Derry, Galway made an ideal start and were in front after only five minutes. Former Cork player Seán Kelly sent a high ball into the box, Kevin Long misjudged his defensive header and the ball ended up in the back of his own net.

Cork’s response was excellent, however, as they laid siege to Barry Ryan’s goal. Billy Dennehy and Davin O’Neill both went close before the home side eventually drew level in the 20th minute.

Ex-Galway defender Greg O’Halloran saw his close-range effort cleared off the line but the ball found its way to O’Neill on the edge of the box and he finished clinically for his second league goal of the season.

The hosts continued to apply the pressure and should have gone in front through further opportunities for O’Neill, Billy Dennehy and Gareth Cambridge but, in spite of Cork’s superiority, the teams remained level at the interval.

It was only a matter of time before Doolin’s side got their noses in front as their dominance continued after the restart.

In the 62nd minute, O’Neill’s cross from the right found Dennehy at the back post and he finished emphatically to put Cork ahead.

Dennehy turned provider two minutes later when his cross was taken down by O’Neill and Gareth Cambridge applied the finish for his first goal for the club. Alan Murphy pulled a goal back for Galway in the 75th minute before O’Neill netted his second with seven minutes remaining to seal the three points for Cork.

CORK CITY: McNulty; O'Halloran, Long, Murray, Murphy; O'Neill, Lordan, Gamble, Dennehy (Kiely, 87 mins); Cambridge (Duggan, 90 mins), Silagailis.

GALWAY UNITED: Ryan; Sinnott, Conneely, Breen, O'Toole (Guthrie, HT); Murphy, Kelly, Fitzgerald (Russell, HT), McBrien; Faherty, Greene (Molloy, 75 mins).

Ref: P Sutton(Clare).