- Dylan O'Connell
- Sun, Jan 28 2018
Cork City FC’s quest for silverware marched on as the Rebel Army overcame Waterford FC 3-0 in the Munster Senior Cup semi-finals at O’Shea Park on Saturday afternoon. In a silk cut performance for the 2017 winners, City booked their place in the provincial final following a dominating performance which the Leesiders controlled from start to finish.
A controlled midfield of Kieran Sadlier, Gary Buckley and Jimmy Keohane bossed the play from the centre of the park. A young Waterford team felt the pressure early on as Keohane teed up Barry McNamee out wide, but the winger could not control the ball and the ball fizzled out. With nine minutes played City took the lead, a Kieran Sadlier shot deflected off the hand of Eoghan Rea, leaving no choice but a penalty kick. The opportunity fell to Graham Cummins, who fired low giving City a 1- 0 lead on the nine minute mark.
Inspired by the penalty, City pushed on and easily took control from Waterford’s restart with Sadlier teeing up Cummins, but Rea made amends for his earlier mistake and muscled the ball free and cleared. Against the wave of City procession, Waterford almost drew level as Dean Beresford picked off a stray ball from Jimmy Keohane and powered passed the City midfield, but Aaron Barry stepped out and neatly disposed Beresford and regained control.
City pushed on with Sadlier firing low into the hands of Paul Martin. Waterford soon broke, but for every yard gained the Blues couldn’t penetrate the City box as Justin Croke crossed it in for Darragh Power, but Aaron Barry once more drilled the ball well out and away from danger. City soon made it 2-0 as Barry McNamee’s inch perfect corner to the far post set up Graham Cummins to head home to double City’s advantage.
John Caulfield continued to push his men on from the side lines as City emerged determined and energetic from the break. With only seconds played a long ball through from Graham Cummins landed perfect for Barry McNamee, but his header was weak and went just wide. McNamee was involved yet again, as his corner found Karl Sheppard in a chaotic box who’s half volley fell just wide of the target.
City made it 3-0 minutes later, as Blarney native Conor McCarthy turned in a corner from Barry McNamee with the winger providing an inch perfect set piece. As the game lulled, City made a rare substitute of goalkeeper Mark McNulty, swapping the keeper with David Harrington; son of City legend turned coach Phil Harrington.
As Harrington sat soundly in goal, Martin’s time was anything but as City pressed and pushed in the final third. Karl Sheppard pushed on through, and squared to substitute Josh O’Hanlon who’s shot was just too hard as it grazed the cross bar on it’s way over. Next, deep in added time Conor McCarthy swung an inviting ball in, for Martin to fumble the ball onto the feet of Karl Sheppard’s who fired hard into the side netting.
Fulltime score at Blarney was 3-0 to the Rebel Army as City marched on to the 2018 Munster Senior Cup final. City will host local rivals St. Mary’s as they bid to defend their title, with a date and time to be decided.
Cork City FC: Mark McNulty (David Harrington 80’), Danny Kane, Aaron Barry, Georoid Morrisey, Jimmy Keohane, Graham Cummins (Josh O’Hanlon 50’), Kieran Sadlier (Shane Griffin 50’), Conor McCarthy, Sean McLaughlin, Barry McNamee, Gary Buckley (Karl Sheppard 40’) .
Subs not used: Alan Bennet, Conor McCormack, Steven Beattie.
Waterford FC: Paul Marin, Adam Conway, Darragh Corcoran, Eoghan Rea, Daryl Walsh, Dean Beresford (Regix Madika 69’), Darragh Power (Kallum Costello 84’), Shane Griffin (Jack Larkin 54’), Colm Whelan (Sean Roche 63’), Edward Black (Jack O’Donnell, 75’), Justin Croke.
Subs not used: Jack Dolan, Kallum Broaders.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Graham Cummins (Cork City).
