Cork City are through to the last 16 of the FAI Ford Cup following a 2-0 win over Midleton.
The conditions were perfect for football in Knockgriffin with the sun shining and the pitch in excellent condition.
Tommy Dunne gave starts to Stephen Mulcahy, Derek O’Brien and Vincent Escudé-Candau. Vinny Sullivan once again partnered Graham Cummins up front.
The home side had the first chance of the game, Killian Flavin forcing a save from Mark McNulty. It wasn’t all plain sailing for City in the first half, as the Munster Senior League outfield did well to combat the Rebel Army’s attacks, and created a few openings themselves.
Gearóid Morrissey came close midway through the half when he hit a volley goal-wards from close range but Midleton ‘keeper Jason Greene did well to save. Sullivan then headed over the bar in what were City’s best chances in the opening forty-five.
Ian Stapleton and Andrew Knowles both had massive opportunities to give their team the lead going into half time, but both saw their efforts go off-target.
Graham Cummins gave City the advantage minutes after the break. Michael Keneally was forced to drag down City’s number nine in the penalty area. Anthony Buttimer pointed to the spot and Cummins stepped up to fire the ball home from 12 yards. The goal helped City immensely as it killed Midleton’s ever-growing momentum.
Sullivan double the lead 6 minutes later. He took control of the ball on the edge of the box, and he hit a beautiful curling shot into the bottom corner giving Green no hope or stopping it. Cummins then found himself through on goal, but chose to hit a shot from an awkward angle instead of rolling the ball square to substitute Jamie Murphy who was waiting for the simple tap-in.
Midleton could have given their home fans a consolation goal near the end, but Stephen O’Leary was unlucky to see his effort smack off the crossbar.
Midleton:
Starting Line-Up: Jason Greene; Martin Hickey, Michael Keneally, Peter O’Halloran, Stephen O’Leary; Killian Flavin, Tom Daley (Mark Duggan, 76mins), Ray Barnes, Bryan McCarthy, Andrew Knowles; Ian Stapleton.
Substitutions: Paul Deasy for McCarthy (61mins), Kevin Tatton for Flavin (67mins). Mark Duggan for Daley (76mins). Subs not used: John Mallon, Stuart Costigan, Shane Harrington.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: Mark McNulty; Stephen Mulcahy, Gavin Kavanagh Kalen Spillane, Danny Murphy; Gearóid Morrissey (Jamie Murphy, ht), Shane Duggan, Vincent Esucdé-Candau, Derek O’Brien (Ian Turner, 74mins); Graham Cummins (Kieran Keneally, 89mins), Vinny Sullivan.
Substitutions: Jamie Murphy for G.Morrissey (46mins), Ian Turner for O’Brien (74mins), Kieran Keneally for Cummins (89mins). Subs not used: James McCarthy, Greg O’Halloran, Neal Horgan, Simon Holland
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
Photos: Click Here.
