Cork City 4 Dungannon 1CORK CITY missed out on a chance to top Group One of the Setanta Cup at Turner's Cross last night despite putting four past Dungannon Swifts.
Swifts 'keeper Dwayne Nelson was the busier of the two stoppers from the kick-off, with Joe Gamble and Denis Behan shots hitting the crossbar in the fourth and fifth minutes respectively while Behan then finished off a nice move in the eighth minute with a tap-in, only to have it disallowed due to provider Lawrie Dudfield having veered just offside in the run-up.
The home side finally got off the mark in the 24th minute. A Danny Murphy free sent in from the right provided Darren Murphy with the perfectly flighted ball to glance home.
Cork maintained their grip and were rewarded with a second on 39 when Liam Kearney placed his low shot to the far post just beyond the reach of Nelson.
Swifts re-emerged with a more positive 4-4-2 formation and after wasting a couple of good opportunities, Shea McGerrigan, rounded keeper Mark McNulty to tap home. The two goal cushion was restored when Behan scored from the penalty spot kick on 63 minutes. The lead was extended when Darragh Ryan slid in at the back post to score.
Cork didn't manage to notch the required extra two goals to top the group thus meaning they will play their semi-final away from home.
CORK CITY:M McNulty; P Sullivan, S Kelly, D Murray (capt), Danny Murphy; A OConnor, Darren Murphy, J Gamble, L Kearney; L Dudfield, D Behan. Subs: D Ryan for Kelly (62); G Cambridge for Gamble (84); T Kiely for Dudfield (89).
DUNGANNON SWIFTS:D Nelson; R Mullan, A McMinn, D Peden, J McKee; J Tomelty, F McAlliskey, M Hegarty, D Murphy (capt), S McGerrigan; A Baker. Subs: A McIlwee for Murphy (62); B Regan for Nelson (71); T Adamson for McGerrigan (76).
Referee:Alan Kelly (Cork).
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