Zayed penalty gives Derry the cup

Cork City 0 Derry City 1

Eamon Zayed’s second-half penalty gave Derry City a record-extending tenth EA Sports Cup as they beat Cork City in a thrilling final at Turner’s Cross.

Before a big, expectant home crowd of 4,164, Cork started brightly with Gearoid Morrissey bringing an early save from Derry keeper Ger Doherty.

Morrissey then split the Derry defence to play striker Graham Cummins through on goal to rifle a shot off a post on 26 minutes.

But Derry played their way into the game, responding with several terrific openings before half-time.

Cork keeper Mark McNulty saved on his line with his feet from Zayed following Barry Molloy’s cross on 33 minutes.

Ruaidhri Higgins then rattled the Cork bar with a stunning shot from 25-yards before Zayed missed a sitter when putting a free header wide from Stephen McLaughlin’s cross.

Derry remained the better side into the second half and the game’s only goal arrived on 67 minutes.

Molloy and Zayed worked the ball to Kevin Deery whose shot was handled inside the area by defender Gavin Kavanagh. Zayed slotted home the spot kick.

Derry substitute Shane McEleney was sent off from the bench for dissent in stoppage time.