Munster Senior Cup Report: Cork City 4 - 0 St Marys AFC

It has been 80 days since that memorable FAI Cup victory in the Aviva Stadium for Cork City, but now the focus for John Caulfield’s side is on the 2017 season.

At Mayfield United’s impressive facilities, City played their first game since that memorable victory over Dundalk, recording a 4-0 win in the Munster Senior Cup Quarter Final against MSL Premier Division side St Mary’s.

On the whole, it was a decent display from a City side, with new signings getting some game time, trying to get their match sharpness up ahead of the big kick off .

It may be very early days indeed, but Caulfield will have been pleased by what he saw from his side on the night.

Conor McCormack looked excellent and looked very assured in possession of the football. While there may have been much talk about Chiedozie Ogbene’s departure, an under-19 graduate in the form of Connor Ellis looks to be a player who could play a role regularly in this side squad during 2017.

And John Kavanagh was also impressive. After a horrible run out because of injury, he is like a new signing and he showed here the various qualities he can bring to the table.

St Mary’s, from the Northside of the city, are in the middle of their season and were in action just three days earlier in the FAI Intermediate Cup.

The Ken Daly-managed side could have opened the scoring, when Cian Murphy’s free kick, through the aid of the strong wind, went just wide of the target.

Although they ended this in defeat, St Mary's young squad will learn from the experience.

Cork took the lead through a Jimmy Keohane header. Former Shamrock Rovers and Derry man McCormack was instrumental in the build up, when he crossed from the right after linking up with Kavanagh.

City doubled their lead when a corner kick by Kevin O’Connor was headed into the back of his own net by St Mary’s defender Cian Murphy.

It was a regular goal scorer from last season, Sean Maguire, who got goal number three. He ran through the defence before firing the ball high into the net. His goals will prove crucial to City’s Premier Division title charge.

French forward, Achille Campion, who was with Sligo Rovers last season, has been brought in to aid with goal scoring duties. He would get on the score sheet himself before the conclusion, with a neat effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

City will have to wait until Saturday to see who they will face in the Munster Senior Cup semi final, as they will now play the winners of the Blarney United and Avondale United clash.

They continue their preparations ahead of the League Of Ireland Premier Division season, with a friendly game on Saturday away to Waterford.

Caulfield and his players will commence what they will hope will be a league winning campaign, with a trip to Donegal to face Finn Harps on February 24th.

Cork City: Alan Smith; John Kavanagh, Gary Buckley, Kenny Browne, Kevin O’Connor; Stephen Dooley, Greg Bolger (Conor McCarthy 55), Connor McCormack, Jimmy Keohane (Achille Campion 60); Sean Maguire, Connor Ellis.

Subs not used: Stephen Beattie, Karl Sheppard, Mark McNulty.

St Mary’s: Stuart Coakley (Ryan Delaney 55); Kyle Keeley, Cian Murphy, Aidan O’Callaghan, Mark O’Donnell; Jason Conway (Cian Hawkins 75), Barry Triggs, Tijani Aibor, Owen Collins (David Grant O’Sullivan 60); Craig Lynch (Daniel Long 82), Wayne McBride.

Subs not used: Jonathan Walsh.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 550 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Conor McCormack (Cork City).