Cork City pay the penalty of fielding youthful side in Munster Senior Cup loss to Wilton

Cork City 0 Wilton United 0 (Wilton win 3-0 on penalties)

WILTON United recorded a famous victory as they knocked a youthful Cork City out of the last-16 of the Munster Senior Cup in the Mayfield United Astro on Saturday. 

After the sides could not be separated in extra time, Wilton held their nerve in the shootout to progress to the next round.

City U19 manager Stephen Bermingham was the man in charge on the sideline as the club’s new manager Tim Clancy stood amongst the crowd. Clancy delegating control to Bermingham was understandable, as the starting 11 consisted mainly of the club’s U19 players.

Daniel Moynihan, Josh Fitzpatrick and Jaden Umeh were the only players to have featured for the club’s first team in the league in the past that started for City.

It was a good opening from Wilton with the Munster Senior League side finding joy in getting into the final third. Wilton were quick with their set-pieces taking advantage of the naivety of the City side, who were slow in their set-up.

From a quick Wilton corner, Olatjitan Ireoluwa found space to get a shot away in the box, unfortunately for him, he was unable to keep his effort on target.

Umeh looked bright whenever in possession, frequently ghosting past Wilton players and it was his effort that called Alex Moynihan into action for the first time with the Wilton keeper doing well to direct Umeh’s striker wide of the post.

Wilton weren’t fazed by the League of Ireland side and continued to cause problems. Olajitan in particular looked threatening while Cian McCarthy got his first sight goal, only for the striker to shoot over.

As the half aged, City began to have more control of the game. They were better in possession of the ball, particularly in the centre of midfield where Arran Healy got a foothold on the game.

Despite City having the majority of possession, Wilton still caused problems going forward. Cian McCarthy did well to put a ball across the City's six-yard box, however, didn’t find a teammate willing to take advantage of his good work.

Fitzpatrick was positive in possession, constantly going at the Wilton defence. The City winger went past two Wilton players before seeing his effort gathered by Moynihan.

Cathal O’Sullivan came close to opening the scoring but his curling free-kick went just wide of the post.

The final chance of the half fell to City with Healy unable to keep his effort from sailing over the crossbar. It was good build-up play by City to create the opening with Umeh's contribution particularly impressive.

The Rebel Army upped their tempo at the beginning of the second half and almost went in front when Healy’s cross-cum-shot ended hitting the top of the crossbar. Callum Hoohan should have at least hit the target moments later but headed wide.

Eanna Fitzgerald almost scored a wonder goal only to be let down by his finishing. The midfielder glided past four Wilton players before releasing his shot but again his effort went in tandem with many efforts before and was off target.

Although Wilton started to fatigue, the Munster Senior League showed great fight to keep the game scoreless. They got numbers behind the ball and their defence stood strong with what was being thrown at them.

Wilton weren’t just content on sitting back, Brendan O’Sullivan’s side created chances of their own with both McCarthy and Ronan Cassidy coming close.

City almost won the game late in normal time but Moynihan did well to prevent Conor O’Sullivan scoring before the striker was guilty of missing a glorious chance moments later.

With neither side unable to break in the deadlock in extra-time the game went to penalties with Wilton coming out on top in the shootout.

CITY: Moynihan, Sowinski, Honohan, Kiernan, Murphy; Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald, Healy, O’Sullivan (Bowman 62), Umeh (Murray 61); Skieters (O’Sullivan 77).

WILTON: Moynihan, O’Sullivan, Cassidy, Murphy, Cullinane (Down 66); Olajitan, Ryan, Moore (O’Connor 82), Roche, O’Meara (Long 90); McCarthy.

Referee: R Crean