- Stephen Walsh
- Sat, May 21 2016
Cork City eased into the Third Round of the FAI Senior Cup defeating non-league side St. Peter’s of Athlone, in convincing fashion at a rain swept Turner’s Cross.
Goals from Kevin O’Connor, Gavan Holohan, Stephen Dooley and Mark O’Sullivan ensured that City progressed to the last 16 of prestigious cup competition.
Cork City made several changes to the side that came from behind to grab the three points against Derry City in the Cross last Friday night; Kevin O’Connor, Gavan Holohan, Kenny Browne and John Dunleavy.
St. Peter’s qualified for this stage defeating Leeside in the previous round. This however was a bridge too far for the side that qualified for the FAI Junior Cup semi-final this year.
The host’s runners up in the competition last season got the perfect start on 12 minutes as Kevin O’Connor headed in an Ian Turner corner. Gavan Holohan doubled the lead on 20 minutes scoring from outside the box.
Cork were dominating proceedings as Athlone relied on a lot of long balls up to Ethan Nkololo and Mark McConnell but Michael McSweeney and Kenny Browne were able to mop up everything that went their way.
Stephen Dooley made it three on 34 minutes hitting low into the corner from close range following Mark O’Sullivan’s cross.
The second half was played at a slower start but that didn’t stop O’Sullivan on 51 minutes from getting City’s fourth as he rose highest at the back post to head home Man of the Match Kevin O’Connor’s free.
On 53 minutes City somehow couldn’t find the back of the net as Turner, Dooley and O’Sullivan all had shots saved from a matter of yards by Philip Coffey, multiple defenders and the crossbar all in a matter of seconds.
David Brooks went narrowly wide from distance and on 71 minutes. The game was now pretty much over as City were trying for more goals but couldn’t really break down the Peter’s defence.
At the end Ian Dempsey headed over from close range but it didn’t matter as City march on in the Cup hoping to go one step further than last year.
Cork City: Alan Smith; Michael McSweeney, Kenny Browne (Steven Beattie 46), John Dunleavy (Craig Donnelan 34), Kevin O’Connor; Colin Healy, Gavan Holohan; Ian Turner, Danny Morrissey, Stephen Dooley; Mark O’Sullivan.
Subs: Mark McNulty, Greg Bolger, Steven Beattie, Karl Sheppard, Sean Maguire
Yellow Cards: Donnelan (70)
St. Peter’s: Philip Coffey; Niall Scullion, Scott Delaney, Neil Harney John McCrossan; Pascal Dillon (David Donohue 63), Ian Dempsey, David Brooks Ethan Nkololo (Gary Kelly 56); Michael Lee; Mark McConnell (Declan Fallon 75).
Subs: Gary Kelly, Gary Stephens, Declan Fallon, David Donoghue, Keith Hynes
Yellow Cards: Harney (49), Brooks (52)
Referee: Padraig Sutton
Attendance: 666
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kevin O’Connor (Cork City)
You can see Gerard Buckley's pictures from the game here.
