Cork City advanced to the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup tonight after a deserved 1-0 win over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.
Davin O’Neill scored the only goal of the game, coming off the bench in the second half to send City into the last-eight.
Tommy Dunne’s men got the game off to a blistering start, first Derek O’Brien curling a shot just wide, while moments later Ian Turner saw his volley from close range smack off the upright. The two City players combined again later only for Turner to have his header saved by Patrick Holden.
Vincent Escudé-Candau looked threatening midway through the half, with three efforts at goal in quick succession. He almost opening the scoring with an audacious chip but it drifted narrowly wide. He also headed over from O’Brien’s cross as City pushed on for that vital goal. The first half was even in terms of possession, with the Leesiders slightly shading it due to having the better chances.
Shortly after the restart City were awarded a penalty after Turner was hauled down in the box. Escudé-Candau stepped up only to see his spot-kick saved by Holden. Graham Cummins had a header cleared off the line minutes later, as it looked like City’s breakthrough would never come.
Davin O’Neill came off the bench for Escudé-Candau, and made an immediate impact. He set up Turner who could only blaze over from inside the box. The deadlock was broken by O’Neill however midway through the second half. After cutting in from the left, he let fly with a right footed shot that flew past Holden, and eventually sending City into the quarter-finals.
City dominated the remainder of the game, Shane Duggan coming close, as did Vinny Sullivan, both of whom were in prime position to double the Rebel Army’s lead.
The Youths were reduced to ten men deep into injury time. Danny Morrissey was clear through on goal, but a professional foul by Dean Broaders resulted in a red card for the defender.
One nil was how it finished, City advancing again in yet another cup competition.
Cork City
Starting Line-Up: McCarthy, Turner, Murphy, G.Morrissey, Duggan, Cummins, O’Brien, Spillane, Kavanagh, N.Horgan, Escude-Candau.
Substitutes: O’Neill for Escudé-Candau, D.Morrissey for Turner, Sullivan for Cummins, Burns,, Lordan, Krzanowski, McGreevy.
