Cork City fire three past Finn Harps to book FAI Cup semi-final
Evan McLaughlin of Cork City, second left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Finn Harps and Cork City at Finn Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Too many echoes of 2023 hang around this Cork City season, but at least one of them is welcome. Just like two years ago, Cork City are back in an FAI Cup semi-final, progress secured at the expense of a First Division side. On this occasion, it was Finn Harps who fell victim to City in Ballybofey on Friday evening.
The tone was set immediately from the off by Ger Nash’s side. A goal inside 75 seconds, a second after 10 minutes, and an eerie hush in Finn Park – the cold realisation that Harps were being dismantled before their supporters had settled in their seats.
From there, momentum shifted. Nash’s side had to defend against the blistering pace of Gradi Lomboto and Hans Kamta Mpongo, who had Darragh Crowley and Mathew Kiernan under relentless pressure for the night, right up until McLaughlin’s second goal in the 73rd minute that stamped City’s semi-final ticket.
It was tough, gruelling, and far from glamorous for City. But they survived the onslaught, Freddie Anderson and Rory Feely key to it, and the clean sheet.
But City’s first goal, netted almost immediately, owed little to their invention and everything to Harps’ ineptitude.
Conor Brann’s kick-out was nodded on by a Harps defender, straight into the path of McLaughlin, who had the simple task of strolling clear and rolling the ball home.
And he nearly doubled his tally with a dipping effort moments later.
But then came one of the night’s few flashes of class. After a clever one-two between McLaughlin and Seani Maguire in the eighth minute ended with the latter striking the post, Maguire then broke clear again two minutes later, for a finish of subtle genius.
He produced a curling toe-poke finish on the half-volley, to make it 2-0.
And then, mercifully for the hosts, the bleeding stopped. Harps at last found the ball and began to stitch together some rhythm. City’s early dominance faded, though the scoreboard remained untouched. To Harps credit, they were without the suspended Conor Tourish and Max Hutchinson.
Their best chance came in the 26th minute, Mpongo galloping clear with Lomboto square. The pass was timed correctly, but Lomboto’s heavy touch invited Brann to charge from his goal and smother the danger.
Lomboto, moments later, scorched past Kiernan and Kitt Nelson with incredible pace, only for another poor touch to undo him as he got within shooting range.
City’s threat never vanished entirely. McLaughlin forced Barbosa into stop on the half hour, while Harps conjured one more promising opening before the break.
Mpongo nutmegged Darragh Crowley and tore down the flank before picking out Gavin McAteer. His cross was half-cleared into the path of Tony McNamee, but the captain’s rasping shot was bravely blocked by Sean Murray.
City, then, carried their cushion into the interval – one fashioned by ruthlessness, the other Harps’ generosity.
The rain fell in the second half and with the stiff breeze, made the task of getting back into the game even more challenging for Harps. Still they came close.
With 48 elapsed, Mpongo broke through with Brann off his line, and would have had one back were it not for Feely’s brilliant defended.
Kaedyn Kamara went close with an effort from distance for the visitors and Evan McLaughlin slipped twice – once to break through on goal in the 57th minute – and again as he lost his footing on the greasy surface.
Kieran Cooney came close to getting one back in the 64th minute with a headed effort after Michael Place’s delivery, but nine minutes on, City put the game to bed.
While Maguire’s initial shot was saved after he was fed by Anderson, Benny Couto picked up the loose ball and set up McLaughlin for a simple close range finish in the 73rd minute, leaving no doubt as to who would come away victorious.
Harps suffered a first home defeat since May, while Cork City got their first away victory of the season, in September.
Barbosa; Place (Coyle 83), Cullen, Bradley-Walsh (Cunningham 83), Cooney; Brogan; Lomboto, McAteer (Hodgins 79), McNamee (c) (McLaughlin 79), Zerrouk (Bradley 66); Mpongo.
Brann; Kiernan (Drinan 80), Anderson, Feely, Crowley; S Murray (Bolger HT), Kamara (Lyons 68); Nolan, McLaughlin (Hanover 80), Nelson (Couto 50 inj); Maguire (c).
Paul Norton
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