FAI Cup fever: A look back at Cork City's previous 11 semi-finals
2018: Graham Cummins of Cork City celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FAI Cup semi-final replay against Bohemians. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Survivor series will temporarily be parked this weekend on Leeside for FAI Cup fever and Cork City have history with them when it comes to semi-finals.
Sunday’s sold-out clash at Turner’s Cross will mark the 12th occasion since City’s establishment in 1984 that they’ve reached the last four of the Blue Riband.
Should they conquer against a St Patrick’s Athletic side still battling for the title, the Rebel Army will rack up their seventh successive win at this juncture.
Here we look back at City’s previous 11 semi-finals, several synonymous with points in the chronology that have tested the patience of the most diehard of fans.
That a cup final appearance at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 12 could be preceded a few days previous by the relegation play-off encapsulates the extremes experienced during this first season back in the top-flight.
Shamrock Rovers 4 Cork City 1.
Cork City 2 Shamrock Rovers 4.
A Rovers team halfway towards a four-in-a-row of titles inflicted the damage in the first leg at Milltown back in the era of home and away semis. Liam O’Brien, soon on his way to Manchester United, bagged a brace in the return at Flower Lodge, the last-ever game played at the famous venue.
Cork City 0 Bray Wanderers 1.
Bray Wanderers 0 Cork City 1.
Cork City 4 Bray Wanderers 0.
First Division Bray stunned Turner’s Cross by taking a first-leg advantage back to Wicklow through a goal from Eugene ‘Pooch’ Davis but Philip Long’s penalty left the tie level after 180 minute. Winning the toss for venue was crucial as City made it count, kickstarted by a Bray own-goal. Dave Barry made it 2-0 by rounding goalkeeper Josh Moran, scoring his second after Kieran Nugent also punished the Seagulls. Derry beat City in the final after a replay.
Cork City 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 0.
Just over 10,000 spectators packed into Turner’s Cross to see City edge out Brian Kerr’s Saints by one piece of brilliance by the late Paul Bannon.
They were made to wait until 12 minutes into the second half for the crowd to rejoice at the finish, all instigated by Stephen Napier’s cross. Declan Hyde and Pat Morley were both involved in the lead-up to Bannon beating Alan Kane, setting up a final which City lost against Bohemians to David Tilson’s famous lob.
Athlone Town 1 Cork City 3.
Jason Kabia – son of current player Jaze - spearheaded City’s march to the decider, bagging a brace and assisting Noel Hartigan for the other in a resounding victory. Future Athlone manager Adrian Carberry pulled back a consolation.
Dave Barry’s side went on to claim a first FAI trophy for the club, Derek Coughlan’s header at Dalymount Park shredding Shelbourne and their boss, one Damien Richardson.
Cork City 0 Derry City 1.
The year of two cup finals – due to the summer season switch – didn’t go to plan as City’s unbeaten home record was perforated by a late Sean Friars goal.
On 75 minutes, John O'Flynn – who last week returned to the club as one of Richie Holland’s assistants – blew the chance of handing the hosts the lead when his penalty was saved by Alan Gough. Ex-Ireland striker Dave Kelly notched the winner for Derry in the final.
Cork City 1 Derry City 0.
Three years on and the outcome was different, with Georgie O’Callaghan blasting home a stoppage-time penalty. Emboldened Derry boss Stephen Kenny said afterwards: “I told my players to remember the jeering Cork City fans and joy they experienced after the referee had awarded them a 92nd-minute penalty.
"I said that at the time for one simple reason. We would be back in a month with a much bigger prize at stake.”
They returned but O’Flynn headed in to clinch Cork the title.
Bohemians 0 Cork City 2.
Sean Connor’s Bohs were no match for City on a day the Leon and Liam double-act inspired City to a second final in three years. Leon McSweeney’s 25th-minute cross was tapped in by Liam Kearney and the pair combined again with 13 minutes left to seal a meeting with Longford Town at the RDS. Though the Rebels avenged their 2005 defeat, it signalled the end of Richardson’s tenure and the beginning of ownership strife.
Bray Wanderers 0 Cork City 1.
The first of four triumphant semi-finals on the trot began on the windy Wicklow coastline. One goal was sufficient, Danny Morrissey shrugging off Alan McNally and sliding the ball beneath Peter Cherrie. Mark McNulty in the City goal earned his corn by denying Bray’s Emeka Onwubiko an equaliser at the death.
St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Cork City 3.
Back-to-back finals for the first time in the club's history were confirmed by a comprehensive victory at Richmond Park. Despite Alan Bennett’s opener being cancelled out by Saints striker Christy Fagan, a second-half brace by Seán Maguire ensured they progressed to a repeat final against Dundalk. Maguire would have the final say on the big day too, pouncing in the box for the winner.
Cork City 1 Limerick 0.
Now defunct Limerick, in their first FAI Cup semi-final for 20 years, made life tough but Garry Buckley’s 14th-minute goal following neat interplay between Conor McCarthy, Kieran Sadlier, and Karl Sheppard made the difference. Ryan Delaney’s marshalling of Limerick’s Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi was integral to claiming a place in the final they won on penalties to complete the double.
Bohemians 1 Cork City 1.
Cork City 2 Bohemians 1.
City’s three-in-a-row tilt was in jeopardy when Bohs led through Dinny Corcoran’s breakthrough until three minutes from the end when McCarthy was caught late by Darragh Leahy in the box. Sadlier’s penalty earned a replay on Leeside, which City took control of through strikers Graham Cummins and Sheppard sending The Shed wild.
Not even a wondergoal from Ian Morris in the second half could derail City’s path to the final but Kenny had a final say in the colours of Dundalk.
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