EA Sports Cup Report: Cork City 7 - 0 Waterford United

Cork City were an unbackable 1/20 before the start of this Second Round EA Sports Cup match. The final score-line of 7-0 undoubtedly showed the difference in divisions as Cork triumphed thanks to a second half onslaught in Turners Cross in front of a sparse crowd of only 646 fans.

Of course one would be forgiven for thinking that Cork City had it all their own way for the game but in fact they struggled to properly test the visiting ‘keeper Corey Chambers in the opening 45 minutes as City were guilty on occasions of over complicating the final pass. Yet with their superior fitness levels they managed to keep hold of possession despite the best efforts of a youthful Waterford United side.

Yet seven goals in 26 minutes made sure that City progressed to the Quarter Final of the EA Sports Cup.

Cork City made nine changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Galway last Friday night with Eoghan O’Connell and Ian Turner holding their places in the starting 11, while Waterford still minus the suspended Roddy Collins made four changes with David O’Leary, Robert Buckley, Anthony McAlavey and Aaron O’Connor.

The home team had the majority of the attacking plays in the opening quarter and they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after six minutes when Ian Turner attempted to round Chambers, but he appeared to be fouled yet referee Anthony Buttimer chose to book him instead for simulation.

Waterford nearly took the lead against the run of play on eight minutes when a poor back pass from O’Connell sent in Robert Buckley but Alan Smith, making his first appearance of the season, was off his line quick to make a good save.

City fired plenty of shots at the Waterford goal but nothing was hitting the target with Mark O’Sullivan closest to firing into the net on 32 minutes.

The second half saw City come out a different team. One would suspect, a few stern words were said at the break from manager John Caulfield as his side appeared rejuvenated. Waterford on the other hand was already showing tiredness as the half started despite Aaron Callaghan introducing two sets of fresh legs.

But the half was only 58 seconds old when City had hit the front through Danny Morrissey, who headed in following Kevin O’Connor’s free.

This was only the start of the goals as the Waterford defence were run ragged for the next 20 minutes.

Ian Turner who had his best performance of the season in a City shirt thus far added his name to the score sheet firing home following a long run down the wing.

There was only 50 minutes gone now yet City were two up and the same crowd in the Shed were already looking for 10 with one or two weak chants of “We want ten” in order to break the current record victory of 9-0 held from back in 2002 from Glenmore Dundrum.

A defensive error was next seized upon by Gavan Holohan and the ex-Drogheda man made no mistake dispatching the ball home from close range on 53 minutes.

Gearóid Morrissey was next to see his name on the score sheet when he fired underneath a mass of bodies from 12 yards out following a lay off from Mark O’Sullivan, who’s performance will give manager John Caulfield plenty to think of ahead of the Finn Harps match in Turners Cross this Friday night.

But O’Sullivan went from playmaker to provider minutes later as he dispatched Ian Turners pass into the net. Waterford looked rattled now and they were literally struggling to get the ball out of their own half.

Yet Cork City U19 Conor McCarthy making his debut for the senior team had a debut to remember on 70 minutes when he headed home an Ian Turner corner into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

One would think City would settle for six goals but they showed they wanted more and the final goal came in the 72 minute when O’Sullivan walked the ball into the net following a mix up between the ‘keeper and a defender.

Cork City: Alan Smith; Michael McSweeney, Eoghan O’Connell, Colin Healy, Kevin O’Connor; Gavan Holohan, Gearóid Morrissey (Craig Donnellan 58); Danny Morrissey (Karl Sheppard 65), Sean Maguire (Conor McCarthy 58), Ian Turner; Mark O’Sullivan.

Subs not used: Mark McNulty, Greg Bolger Karl Sheppard, Garry Buckley,

Yellow Cards: Ian Turner (6), Karl Sheppard (84)

Waterford United: Corey Chambers; Dean Reidy, Roy Butler, Shane Mackey, James Dermody; Robert Buckley (Jake Mooney 55), David O’Leary (Tunmise Sobowale 46), Darren Murphy Aaron O’Connor; Dean Broaders, Anthony McAlavey (Colum Nugent 46).

Subs not used: Glenn Waters, Dean Walsh, Richard Tobin, Matthew Sheehan

Yellow Cards: None

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

Attendance: 646

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Mark O’Sullivan (Cork City).

You can see Matt Kirkham and Steve Alfred's pictures from the game here.