Cork capitalise on early break

Dublin City 0 Cork City 4The week has been dominated by Damien Richardson's problems with match officials but it was his opposite number Dermot Keely that was left aggrieved at Dalymount Park last night. He can surely have no complaints with the final outcome as Cork City looked a class above Keely's Dublin City side, who produced an under-par performance.

It was a controversial decision from lineswoman Rhona Daly in the eighth minute that sent Cork on their way. Referee Declan Hanney had allowed play to continue after a John O'Flynn header was cleared but Daly ruled the ball had crossed the line.

They were caught napping when the visitors doubled their lead six minutes later. Slack defending allowed George O'Callaghan to nod an O'Flynn flick into the path of Neale Fenn, who calmly put the ball beyond Gary Rogers.

Cork should have been further ahead at the break as Fenn and O'Flynn wasted clear-cut chances.Dublin City defender Ben Whelehan was lucky to see a sliced clearance come back off his own crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time O'Callaghan mesmerised the home rearguard with a step-over that fooled two defenders and left him one on one with Rogers just outside the area. However, before he got a chance to shoot Whelehan clipped his heels and received a red card.

Cork were gifted another goal with 20 minutes remaining. A misplaced Keith Doyle backpass released Fenn, who took the ball around Rogers but was hauled to the ground. Referee Hanney produced another red card and O'Callaghan converted from the spot. Substitute Ray Lally grabbed a fourth for Cork on the stroke of full time.

DUBLIN CITY: Rogers, Pender (McDonnell, 23 mins), Hedderman, Brennan, Whelehan, Shiels, McGill, Collins (Doyle, 45 mins), Rooney, Freeman, McCarthy (Conroy, 71 mins).

CORK CITY: McNulty, Horgan, Woods, Bennett, Murray, O'Brien, O'Callaghan (Softic, 80 mins), Gamble, O'Donovan (Lally, 84 mins), O'Flynn (Behan, 87 mins), Fenn.

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).