Friendly Report: Cork City 3 - 0 Republic of Ireland Amateur

Cork City defeated the Ireland UEFA Regions Cup XI tonight 3-0 in a friendly at the Mardyke on Monday evening.

City, who currently lead the SSE Airtricity League, played a strong team including Greg Bolger and John Kavanagh ahead of the top-of- the-table clash against Bray Wanderers on Friday night.

The opposition, made up predominantly of players from the Munster Senior League, gave a very good display and limited City to few opportunities.

Gerry Davis' side, who will compete at the Regions Cup in Istanbul in July, will be annoyed by the concession of two penalties in a game that was a lot tighter than the score line suggested.

Connor Ellis fired in a rebound powerfully to the net inside the opening five minutes after Achille Campion had seen his shot hit the post.

City would have a few attacking opportunities, with Christian Nanetti in particular impressing on the wing for City getting in a few dangerous crosses.

Sean O’Mahony of UCC, playing for Cork City, had a few headers that went narrowly wide.

On the stroke of half time, Nanetti was brought down in the box by Kenneth Hoey and up stepped Bolger to fire the ball past Mark Power in the Irish goal.

The second half was only two minutes old when Campion made it three from the spot after Campion was brought down by Hoey. It looked a harsh penalty to many in attendance.

Simon Falvey and Ian Stapleton had two chances but both went narrowly wide of the City goal in the second half as the Irish team attempted to pull a goal back but it wasn’t to be, as both teams now focus on other games.

Cork City: Alan Smith; John Kavanagh, Rimvydas Sadauskas, Sean O’Mahony, Shane Griffin (Kevin Taylor 60); Greg Bolger (Adam O'Sullivan 60), Daire O’Riordan, Aaron Drinan (Garan Manley 73), Connor Ellis, Christian Nanetti; Achille Campion.

Subs not used: Liam Kearney.

Republic of Ireland: Mark Power (Cathal O'Hanlon 70); Kenneth Hoey (Chris Higgins 84), Stephen Kelly, Jamie Spillane (Cian Hill 55), Chris Higgins (Dave Kiely 55); Andrew Gannon, Eoin Collins (Shane Walsh 55), Eoin Hayes (Chris Fox 61), Jimmy Carr; David Stack, Ian Stapleton (Simon Falvey 68).

Subs not used: Hugh O’Donovan, David Sweeney, Brian Murphy.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

Attendance: 200 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Christian Nanetti (Cork City).