Finally a glittering prize for consistent Cork City after FAI Cup defeat of Dundalk
Three-in-a-row runners-up in the league and last year’s beaten finalists in the cup, City were desperate not to play second fiddle again to the side which always seemed to be one step beyond them when it really counted.
Thanks to a precious Seán Maguire goal in the very last minute of time added on —after 30 minutes of extra time had already failed to separate the great rivals — manager John Caulfield, his team and the huge Rebel Army support in the stadium, finally got their reward.
It wasn’t the most beautiful of goals to settle what was hardly a classic encounter between Ireland’s big two but that didn’t matter to the match-winner.
For Cork’s leading marksman, who’d been left out of the Dundalk side which beat City in the final last year, this was the moment to sing his redemption song to the skies.
And for all associated with a club which had come back from the dead six years ago, it must have been a sound as sweet as a verse of the ‘Banks’.
For Dundalk, to soften the heartbreak of seeing their double-double dream disappear with one deflected shot right at the death, there’s the lasting consolation of a third successive league title already in the bag and, of course, the chance of progression to the last 32 in the Europa League still to come.
And it’s precisely because of Dundalk’s towering pre-eminence in Irish football for the last couple of seasons that this victory will mean so much to Cork: A glittering prize that’s the tangible reward for their consistent year on year progress under the management of club hall of famer Caulfield.
Bar the absence from the bench of Robbie Benson for Dundalk, both sides were at full strength for yesterday’s domestic finale, Garry Buckley returning from a hamstring problem to start in midfield for Cork.
City’s determination to impose themselves physically from an early stage was reflected in the bloodied head bandage Chris Shields was obliged to sport after just five minutes.
The first real sniff of a chance came in the 19th minute, Andy Boyle’s raking pass taken smoothly on the run by Sean Gannon but when his ball from the right found Daryl Horgan breaking into the box, the latter was unable to get his shot on target.
Cork’s frustration was graphically illustrated by Greg Bolger’s almost comical rugby tackle on Stephen O’Donnell as they resorted to unorthodox methods in a bid to get to get to grips with their opponents.
Still, with Alan Bennett outstanding, City were remaining solid defensively and, with just over 10 minutes to go to the break, they finally began getting bodies forward and asking questions at the other end of the pitch. But when, in what was their most threatening move of the half, Gearóid Morrissey did well to find Karl Sheppard free on the far side of box, his final ball looking for Maguire in front of goal was far too easily cut out.
In the 38th minute, Mark McNulty had to make his first save of the game, plucking an attempted angled chip by Horgan out of the air without too much difficulty. But the ‘keeper’s next intervention was much more significant. Swamped by three white shirts in midfield, Morrissey was robbed of possession, Horgan leading the fast-paced breakaway for Dundalk.
And when his fine pass put David McMillan clear into the box, the striker’s low angled shot would have found the net but for a vital touch by McNulty to divert it around the foot of the post. Brian Gartland then came close for Dundalk with a header from a Horgan corner.
There was renewed intensity and vigour from City right from the restart, a sense that they knew they had to do more to take the game to opponents who had shown little signs that their midweek European exertions had taken a toll.
Now it was the Cork fans making all the noise in an official attendance of 26,400 as City applied concerted pressure, the Lilywhites’ goal leading a charmed life in one hectic passage of play as Sean Gannon headed Bennett’s effort off the line.
Maguire was now seeing much more of the ball as he dropped short to link up the play and when, in the 64th minute, he was brought down by O’Donnell just outside the box, Kevin O’Connor’s curling free had Gary Rogers scrambling as it dipped just over.
With City now firmly in the ascendant, both Morrissey and Bolger had efforts on goal at the end of some incisive football before, in the 83rd minute, probably their best move of the game ended with substitute Chiedozie Ogbene having his first-time side-footed effort kept out by reflex Rogers save.
In what was turning into a real slugfest, Dundalk came strong again in extra time – not least when the outstanding Ronan Finn drilled a shot just wide of the foot of McNulty’s post — but Cork, boosted by the composure and tenacity of Colin Healy after the veteran came off the bench, would land the killer blow right at the death.
With one minute of time added-on already signalled, a Stephen Beattie throw-in on the right reached Maguire with his back to goal and, when the striker turned and got his shot away, the ball took a deflection off Gartland to leave Rogers stranded as it squirmed inside the far post.
Cue wild celebrations for the Cork players, bench and supporters who knew the cup was as good as in the bag.
Even for this magnificent, never say die Dundalk side, there was simply not enough time left to deny the Rebels their deserved day in the sun.
M McNulty; S Beattie, AS Bennett, K Browne, K O’Connor; G Buckley, G Bolger, G Morrissey; K Sheppard, S Maguire, S Dooley.
C Ogbene for Sheppard (78); M O’Sullivan for Bolger (96); C Healy for Morrissey (100).
G Rogers; S Gannon, B Gartland, A Boyle, D Massey; P McEleney, S O’Donnell, R Finn, C Shields, D Horgan; D McMillan.
J Mountney for C Shields (55); D Shiels for McEleney (78); C Kilduff for McMillan (79)
Rob Rogers.
Cork City: How they rated
Was in command throughout and produced one sublime save to deny David McMillan in the first half. Might have misjudged Daryl Horgan’s cross-shot in extra-time but recovered brilliantly
City’s converted right-back had the toughest task of the day by marking Daryl Horgan but performed admirably overall. That his throw-in led to the winner sealed a perfect day.
On a day when defences dominated, ‘Fletch’ hardly put a foot wrong. His arrival from St Pat’s to flank Alan Bennett in central-defence was an astute acquisition.
Has seen a lot over his long career but the 35-year-old could afford to feel the emotion at the final whistle. Walked a tightrope after incurring an early booking and drew a sigh of relief when the striker he was marking, Ciaran Kilduff, steered his late header over the crossbar.
At the end of a long season for the Waterford man, O’Connor had a mixed afternoon. The set-pieces he’s renowned for didn’t always deliver but his main defensive task were delivered upon.
Surprisingly substituted, one of Cork’s talisman for the season had one of his quieter days. Began by conceding an unnecessary yellow card for hauling down midfield rival Stephen O’Donnell midway through the first-half .
Midfield was going to be a key battleground and the Leesider soldiered manfully throughout. Performed in his trademark unassuming manner before tiredness played a role in him making way for Colin Healy during extra-time.
Cut an isolated figure in the first- half as John Caulfield’s side adopted a tactical approach of sitting back. Alternated wings and had very few moments to sparkle.
Full of guile and energy, Buckley’s end-product was not to his usual standards. His presence in midfield alone is a threat but all too often his passing and shots were wayward.
One of Caulfield’s main men, Dooley was calmness personified in the latter stages as Dundalk intensified their attack. His simple passing and cuteness of the ball may be overlooked but drew dividends on the big stage when it mattered most.
Cork’s match-winner only needed one chance to flourish and it didn’t come until the very end. Forced to work off scraps for the most part, the Kilkenny man won’t crib today.
Chiedozie Ogbene, Mark O’Sullivan and Colin Healy 7
Only Ogbene came in during normal time and his introduction on 76 minutes almost conjured an instant impact as his first touch tested Rogers. From that point on, his pace and power troubled Dundalk.
Veterans O’Sullivan and Colin Healy were brought on to steady the pace as extra-time became frenetic. Neither had the most spectacular of impact, other than to compose the less experienced teammates around them.
Dundalk - How they rated
Like his opposite number, Rogers did what was required. Beaten by Bennett’s header, he was rescued by Sean Gannon’s clearance; but There was little he could do about the eventual winning goal.
A typically committed display from the full-back, bombing up and down the right at will without getting the type of scope he thrives on inside the final third.
Endured the misfortune of having the winner deflect off his ankle and end up the bottom corner but hardly in trouble otherwise. Steady as ever.
Succeeded, along with companion Gartland, in keeping a leash on their former teammate Maguire until the crescendo unhinged them. The vice-captain was correct afterwards in refusing to blame their hectic schedule on the lapse.
Booked and injured with a calf tear, this wasn’t the way he wanted the occasion to end. Given a few chances to unleash his trusty free-kicks, he was equally wasteful as the rest in his execution.
Looked like the end of the final for the captain after just 21 minutes when he hobbled to the sideline but persevered and contributed to an intriguing midfield contest.
Bloodied, battered but unbowed, the unsung hero of Dundalk’s unprecedented season shipped an elbow from Garry Buckley in the third minute to leave him wounded. Lasted until 10 minutes into the second half.
Dundalk’s major under-performer on the day, part of the Derryman’s package is his unreliability. Some silky touches but easily snuffed out by Cork’s gameplan and not surprisingly substituted.
One of the league’s most enduring players once again did himself justice on the major occasion, coming agonisingly close to drilling the winning goal home before Maguire did. Hard to argue his man-of-the-match award.
Always lively and dangerous, Horgan’s dribbling was a constant part of Dundalk’s artillery deep into extra-time. Stood a pinpoint cross up for a chance Kilduff should have converted and almost caught McNulty out with a speculative cross.
History between the Dundalk striker and Alan Bennett was clear to see from their first exchange, when the Corkman didn’t give an inch. Spurned one good chance in the first half and a half-chance after the break but didn’t get enough service before being substituted.
John Mountney, Dean Shiels, and Ciaran Kilduff 6
Kilduff was the last of the three introduced, coming in for McMillan, but played the biggest part by becoming Dundalk’s focal point in attack. When the striker towered high in the box to connect with Horgan’s cross, the winner seem-ed inevitable only for his header to drift over. There would be no AZ Alkmaar moment for Kilduff.
Neither Mountney nor Shiels imposed themselves Shiels, on with 14 minutes of normal time remaining, fared better than McEleney without placing a stamp on proceedings.
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