New Cork City boss Barry Robson absent but Munster Senior Cup victory secured in Midleton
Cork City's Brody Lee is tackled by Midleton's Killian Murphy during their Munster Senior Cup clash at Knockgriffin Park. Picture: David Keane.
Charlie Hanover got the winner to put Cork City through to the Munster Senior Cup quarter-final at Knockgriffin Park.
The teenager hit the back of the net in the dying minutes of the first half, and that was the difference as a group of U20s got the job done against the Munster Senior League Premier Division champions.
Former Celtic player and Aberdeen manager Barry Robson has been appointed as new City boss but Colm Bermingham was in charge here. Greg Bolger was coaching on the sidelines, while Cork City club legend Graham Cummins was in the home team dug-out.
The Magpies went into this cup tie at the midway point in their season, nine points behind Premier Division leaders Ringmahon Rangers with nine games to go.
Midleton have had a special interest in knock-out competitions this year after lifting the Keane Cup last October at Turner’s Cross. Cummins' side reached the last 16 of the Munster Senior Cup with ease by defeating Passage 5-1. Midleton went into this bout as underdogs with Rockmount the last amateur side to lift this crown back in 2020.
The Rebel Army are in a different phase of their campaign. This was their second game back, following Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Waterford at Lakewood. Just three players remained from that afternoon in Ovens – Matthew Murray, Brody Lee and Cillian Murphy.
The Magpies held strong with the dirty work done by backline containing Robert O’Connor and Jamie Collins, as Murray tried whipping in crosses from the left at various stages of the first half.
City’s Cillian Murphy was a consistent source of frustration during these periods, as the midfielder was able to escape his marker and run into space. Only one real shot came out of this, in the 32nd minute, and the ball rolled just wide at the near post.
Midleton had a handful of opportunities, including one from a goal kick, but nothing that troubled the visitors as the first half wore on.
Then came a moment of brilliance for Hanover, involving a neat turn away from his marker on the edge of the area, and with it came the opening goal in the 44th minute.
Midleton came out from the break and immediately pushed up in search of an equaliser. This began with Killian Murphy trying to put something together with James McCarthy, but nothing came together in the final third.
The Rebel Army broke against this pressure, and a low pass to Hanover narrowly missed the teenager’s foot.
Midleton then thought they won a penalty, when a shot from Brian Coleman seemed to hit the hand of a City defender. The referee seemed to point to the spot, before changing his mind after consultation in the 68th minute.
The home side kept going, determined to get an equaliser and keep their Munster Senior Cup campaign alive. O’Connor dropped the ball into the box at one stage and the City goalkeeper flapped at this. The Rebel Army scrambled together and cleared their lines, just as a collection of black and white jerseys charged into the box.
This was as good as it got as City held their own and progressed through to the quarter finals.
Diarmuid Byrne; Liam Lynch, Robert Walsh, Robert O’Connor, Jamie Collins; Killian Murphy, Michael McCarthy, Luke Duggan-Murray, Jake Hegarty; James McCarthy, Cormac Beausang.
Brian Coleman for Beausang (58); Dylan Lyons for McCarthy (81).
AJ Nash; Finn Dalton, Liam Quinn, Luke Downey; Dara McCormick, Charlie Hanover, Cillian Murphy, Ike Manjor-Georgewill; Tom McGrath, Brody Lee, Matthew Murray.
Sean Richmond for Hanover (60); Jayden O’Donovan for Lee (60), Jordan McCarthy for Murphy (85).
Allan Martin
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