FAI Cup Report: Derry City 2 - 0 Cork City

Will Patching celebrates scoring the opening goal

Will Patching celebrates scoring the opening goal Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

Goals in each half ensured Derry City’s progression to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup at the expense of Cork City. It had been a tight encounter for most of the game but Sadou Diallo’s strike put the game to bed. They will be a tough challenge for whoever is drawn against them in draw.     

It proved to be a disappointing evening for the First Division outfit. Riding high in the title race, they had arrived with a degree of confidence. The red card by Ruairi Keating made a tough challenge even more difficult. They were unable to claw back an early deficit and ultimately exited in tame fashion.   

Derry went with the same side who drew with Drogheda last time out. James Akintunde was entrusted with leading the line yet again after his goal last Friday.

Colin Healy made six changes from the win against Cobh Ramblers. Jimmy Corcoran, Dylan McGlade, Barry Coffey, Kevin O’ Connor, Matt Srbely and Gordon Walker all came into the side. David Harrington, Ally Gilchrist, Matt Healy, Darragh Crowley, Jonas Hakkinen and Louis Britton all dropped to the bench.     

Higgins had demanded that Derry begin with a higher tempo and the likes of Will Patching, Michael Duffy and Ryan Graydon were to the fore.

Patrick McEleney was first to try his luck with an effort from outside the area as the ball was recycled to him. There was a crowd of players in front of him and it went harmlessly wide. Ruairi Keating got behind the backline to get a shot away for the visitors. Brian Maher was equal to it.

It was the Derry captain who was responsible for the opening goal. He collected the ball deep in midfield and sent a ball over the top into the path of Graydon. Jimmy Corcoran misjudged the distance and was only able to collide with the attacker inside the box. Patching put aside his miss against Shamrock Rovers to beat Corcoran from the spot.

They increased the tempo in response to going ahead and City were hanging on. Patching switched his feet to create some space outside the area and got a shot away. Corcoran was able to gather on this occasion. Duffy then had two efforts in quick succession. His first struck the woodwork after Ciaron Coll got behind Gordon Walker. His second was straight at Corcoran.

Patching looked to have gone down inside the box after he had beaten Barry Coffey. Referee Robert Clarke booked him for a slightly exaggerated fall.

The First Division leaders were starting to see more of the ball but were unable to create anything of note at this point. They were getting closer to their opponents in midfield as the likes of Aaron Bolger and Matt Srbely stopped the flow of chances.



In response, Ruaidhrí Higgins switched Duffy with Graydon in an attempt to get more joy down the left-hand side. The latter almost set up an opportunity for Akintunde with a clipped cross into the forward. Walker was able to intercept the ball before the situation got worse.

The second-half began in awful fashion for the away side. Keating had received a knock from an ariel challenge from Dummigan and McJannet. The next challenge involving him saw the forward receive a red card for an alleged stamp on Mark Connolly. Cork were down to ten and facing an uphill challenge.

Despite the man advantage, Derry were still unable to really put the game to bed. Cork did their best to frustrate their hosts as they strove to stem the flow.

One major chance came when they got the ball wide and stretched the away side. Sadou Diallo pushed the ball out to Dummigan who crossed into the six-yard area. Eleney was un-marked, but Corcoran was able to tip away his point blank header. Duffy then set up Akintunde but Walker was able to hack it away.

A second goal did arrive and it was well worked. Diallo sent it wide yet again to Dummigan. His low cross came in with some venom, and Walker was only able to partially clear it. Diallo followed up on the loose ball to slam it into the bottom corner.

From there the game lost much of its sting. Higgins made a number of changes to protect his key players ahead of important league games while Cork struggled to get the ball out of their half.



Brandon Kavanagh combined with fellow substitute Jamie McGonigle for a chance near the end. Cian Coleman made a block to deny him.

Derry eased up to progress to the quarter-final draw. They resume league action with a trip to Shelbourne on Monday evening. Cork get back to the title race when they host Longford next Friday.       

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly, Cameron Dummigan (Ronan Boyce 77), Cameron McJannet; Sadou Diallo, Michael Duffy, Ryan Graydon (Brandon Kavanagh 69), Patrick McEleney (Joe Thomson 77), Will Patching (Declan Glass 60); James Akintunde (Jamie McGonigle 69).
Subs not used: Jack Lemoignan, Daniel Lafferty, Shane McEleney, Caoimhin Porter.
Booked: Will Patching (26).
Sent off: None.

Cork City: Jimmy Corcoran; Cian Coleman, Josh Honohan, Kevin O'Connor, Gordon Walker (Mark O'Mahony 74); Cian Bargary (James Doona 59), Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey (Louis Britton 74), Dylan McGlade (Uniss Kargbo 59), Matt Srbely (Darragh Crowley 59); Ruairi Keating.
Subs not used: David Harrington, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Matt Healy.
Booked: None.
Sent off: Ruairi Keating (50).

Referee: Robert Clarke
Attendance: N/A
extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael Duffy

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile