Cork City heading out of the FAI Cup after frustrating loss to Derry at Turner's Cross
Ruairi Keating rises high for Cork City against Derry City. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Despite being the better side on the night, Cork City were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Derry City at Turner's Cross on Friday evening.
City had numerous changes throughout the game to cause a cup upset but unfortunately couldn’t convert them. It was an excellent performance from the Rebel Army who just tired towards the latter stages of the match which allowed Derry to gain control of the game, and the Premier Division outfit managed to find their way into the next round of the cup thanks to a Sam Todd goal.
City made two changes from the team that started against Athlone Town. Greg Bolger returned to the side following his one-game suspension. There was also a place in the starting 11 for Seani Maguire, with Barry Coffey and Josh Fitzpatrick the two to drop to the City substitute bench.
The Rebel Army came close to going in front when the ball fell to Ruairi Keating inside the Derry penalty area but the striker snatched at his effort and fired well over the crossbar.
The City fans were on their feet in anticipation of the ball hitting the net when Malik Dijksteel played Maguire through on goal but the 30-year-old saw his shot go narrowly wide of the post.
Evan McLaughlin tested Brian Maher before the defender was fortunate to have only been given a yellow card for what appeared to be a reckless tackle on Cameron Dummigan.
Maher did well to rush from his goal and prevent Keating from opening his account since returning to the club. Keating and Maguire looked to be working very well together, with the Derry defence struggling to deal with the duo’s movement and aggression.
Maguire couldn’t get a proper connection on the ball from a Dijksteel pullback when it looked like it would be a certain goal, and the ball trickled wide.
Ciaran Coll’s goalline clearance denied Keating from giving City the lead just before half-time. The City striker's delicate chip looked destined for the net but Coll did extremely well to get back and send the ball out for a corner.
City were more than a match for Derry and were the better side in the first half. They pressed the Candystrips high up the pitch and made it difficult for the visitors to get any sort of rhythm in the game. City looked more threatening going forward and caused the Derry defence a lot of problems with their pace.
Substitute Sam Todd almost made an immediate impact in the game when found space inside the City penalty area from a Derry corner but his header was just off target.
Derry did grow into the half as it aged but that was more down to the understandable drop-off in City’s energy. Such was the intensity in the home side’s play all evening that the players were bound to feel the effects at some stage.
The visitors took the lead in the 73rd minute when Todd got on the end of Ben Doherty’s inswinging corner, with the defender powering his header into the net.
Maher showed late on why he is regarded as the best keeper in the country when he somehow managed to get his hand to Keating’s powerful effort and tip the ball over the crossbar.
Wade: Crowley, Coleman, Lyons, Mclaughlin; O’Sullivan, Bolger, Murray, Dijksteel (Murphy 76); Keating, Maguire.
Maher; Dummigan, McEleney, Doherty, Coll; Mullan (Diallo 71), Patching, O’Reilly (Todd 53), McMullan (Kelly 86), Duffy; Hoban.
M Lynch.
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