FAI Cup Report: Cobh Wanderers 0 - 4 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers recent good form continued as they recorded their third consecutive victory progressing to the quarter finals in the Irish Daily Mail Cup defeating non-league Cobh Wanderers in St. Colman’s Park on Saturday night.

Micky Adams Premier Division side proved too strong for their non-league opposition and this showed in a dominant display with Dinny Corcoran (2), Raffaele Cretaro and David Cawley all finding Cobh’s net.

Both sides had progressed to this stage by defeating non-league sides, Avondale United and Crumlin United with Sligo defeating the latter.

Cobh Wanderers were dogged throughout but Sligo’s skill comfortably won the game.

The opening period of the game saw Rob Lehane and Cawley bring saves out of legendary Cork City ‘keeper Mick Devine in the Wanderers goal. Yet Wanderers kept pressing and harrying the Premier Division opposition.

But their resistance was to be broken on 26 minutes when Cretaro found Corcoran and the striker fired into the top corner from 25 yards.  The lead was doubled on 32 minutes as Cork City loanee Rob Lehane played in Cretaro and the winger chipped Michael Devine to score from 12 yards following defensive errors. The third arrived on 37 minutes with a Cawley pile driver from 25 yards following Lehane’s pass.

The second half was a tamer affair with both teams struggling to maintain the tempo of the opening 45 minutes, but Wanderers to their credit never stopped trying and Davin O’Neill and Conor Meade both had shots blocked on goal as they wanted to give the large crowd something to cheer about with the game entering it’s final ten minutes.

But the game was to be put beyond doubt on 84 minutes when Corcoran’s shot from the edge of the box went into the bottom corner.

They could possibly have had a fifth in stoppage time when Anthony Elding headed in Cawley’s cross but it was ruled offside to ensure Sligo’s cup adventure continues and they can still dream of reaching the Aviva Stadium on the eight of November.

Cobh Wanderers: Michael Devine; Eoin Hastings (Eddie Nolan 72), Gary Collins, Brian Fitzgerald, Peter Nolan; James Stoat (Alan O’Flynn 60), Ian Stapleton, Mikey O’Shea, Shane Barrett (Emmett O’Hanlon 52), Conor Meade; Davin O’Neill.

Subs not used: Shane Geasley, Steven Bruton, Owen Kinsella, Sean McDermott.

Yellow Cards: Barrett (46), O’Shea (53), Meade (64).

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Gary Boylan, Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Regan Donelon; Sander Puri (Anthony Elding 54), John Russell (Jason Hughes 45), David Cawley, Raffaele Cretaro (Keith Ward 45); Dinny Corcoran, Rob Lehane.

Subs not used: Ryan Coulter, Jake Dykes, Ruairi Keating, Patrick Nzuzi.

Yellow Cards: Cretaro (43).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Attendance: 1,100 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Dinny Corcoran (Sligo Rovers).