Morrissey gets post-Dunne era off to winning start

Cork City 3 Kilbarrack United 1

Ahead through Morrissey’s goal inside 52 seconds, the hosts — with Stuart Ashton in charge in a caretaking role — could not make a domination of possession count for the rest of the first half, but early second-period strikes from Morrissey and Garry Buckley gave them a cushion.

Morrissey’s first, after his initial volley from Ian Turner’s corner, looked to have set them up, but a physical Kilbarrack approach was not always punished, including when defender Alan McHugh looked to have fouled Morrissey in the penalty area.

It remained 1-0 at half-time and though the second half started slowly, Morrissey got his and City’s second with an emphatic finish after strike partner Stephen Kenny set him away. Just after the hour, Buckley volleyed another Turner corner home to make it 3-0.

The Dublin visitors — FAI Junior Cup runners-up in June, got some hope when sub James English touched home Mark Townley’s cross on 66. A second goal could not be found but they did cause City a few nervy moments. A trip to Sligo Rovers in the third round on Saturday, August 24 is the home side’s reward.

City, who face West Brom in a friendly at Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45pm), do not as yet have a timeframe on when a new manager might be in place. On the playing front, there may be movement though as former attacker Leon McSweeney, released by Leyton Orient, could return.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Dunleavy (Kavanagh 77), Buckley, D Murray, D Murphy; Turner (Healy 77), G Morrissey, Duggan, D Horgan; Kenny (Lehane 72), D Morrissey.

KILBARRACK UNITED: Hatton; Nolan, Mooney, McHugh, Gaughran (Smart half-time); Jackson, Meleady, Townley (Humphries), Gibbons, Geraghty; Kirwin (English 63).

Referee: K Callanan (Cork).