North ends City run

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC are through to the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup — but only after being given one hell of a scare at Turner’s Cross.

Ultimately, a Danny North goal in the first-half proved the difference between the two sides but Cork City were desperately unlucky not to get back on level terms as, after an especially impressive second-half display, they provided plenty of evidence for the TV cameras that they wouldn’t be at all out of place in the top flight.

And that, clearly, remains the major goal of the season, even with an EA Sports Cup final still to come next weekend. To that end, City manager Tommy Dunne sprang a selection surprise before kick-off, opting to go into battle without regulars Graham Cummins and Davin O’Neill, who were replaced by Vinny Sullivan and Vincent Escude-Candau.

The clear implication was that the glamour of an FAI Cup quarter-final is all well and good but, with fixtures now piling up for Cork, the club simply can’t afford to take its eyes off the main prize — promotion to the Premier Division of the Airtricity League.

In a sign that City were in no way overawed facing Premier Division opposition, only three minutes had elapsed when Escude-Candau had the first shot on target, drawing a comfortable save from Gary Rogers.

Admirably, Cork always like to get the ball down and pass it but a tendency to over-play at the back was risky, especially with the lively and elusive Daryl Kavanagh always anxious to capitalise and, in the heart of the defence for the home side, skipper Greg O’Halloran needed to call on all his experience to help neutralise the threat.

A cagey opening phase in the game finally burst into life in the 28th minute when the impressive Ian Turner combined with Escude-Candau to open up the Pat’s rearguard, Turner’s close-range effort beating keeper Gary Rogers only for Evan McMillan to make a Richard Dunne-like clearance off the line.

But the roars of the home support quickly died in their throats as Pat’s went straight down the other end and, fed by Stephen Bradley, that man North found the back of the net from inside the box as the Cork defence failed to close him down.

The value of Cork mixing up their style of play was shown when, after another bout of five-a-side passing at the back, keeper James McCarthy — in for the injured Mark McNulty — went route one with his clearance and put Vinny Sullivan through on goal, Rogers coming to the rescue.

Cork came agonisingly close to levelling the game right on the stroke of half time, Sullivan unlucky to see his downward header from Derek O’Brien’s cross come back off the woodwork with Rogers beaten.

Pat’s reemerged for the second period having changed to white shorts for the benefit of the TV audience. But it was all-change for Cork, Tommy Dunne waiting only another five minutes before sending in Cummins and O’Neill to an ovation from the crowd.

Although he had been a significant attacking threat, Turner now reverted to right-back in place of Neal Horgan while O’Neill took up the attacking role. And it wasn’t long before he had the Shed on its feet, a typically mazy run into the middle ending with Rogers batting away his shot.

With O’Brien now raiding down the left, Cork were suddenly playing at a much quicker tempo and fairly piling on the pressure, even Danny Murphy getting forward to test Rogers.

As Pat’s began to look panicky at the back, a further change for Cork saw Sullivan out and Kalen Spillane in, allowing Turner to push forward again down the right, while O’Neill and Cummins made for a twin strike force.

All the while, however, Kavanagh remained a constant threat for Pat’s on the break, while a disallowed goal for offside by North was another reminder that the Premier Division side had the quality to punish any lapses by the First Division side.

There was one last chance for Cork in time added on, Shane Duggan’s header from six yards bringing a fine reflex save from Rogers, as City finished the game still looking for an equaliser which, sadly for them, proved to be as elusive as it would have been deserved.

So the Saints go marching on in the cup but the consolation for Cork is that they too still have big fish to fry.

CORK CITY: McCarthy, Horgan (O’Neill), Kavanagh, O’Halloran, Murphy, Turner, Morrissey, Duggan, O’Brien, Escude-Candau (Cummins 51) Sullivan (Spillane 74)

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, McMillan, Shorthall, Murphy (Daly 84) Doyle, Bradley (Crowley 80), Mulcahy (McFaul 63), Kavanagh, North.

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).