Cork see off Portadown to remain in control

Setanta Cup / Cork City 3-1 Portadown: Cork City stretched their unbeaten run this season by comfortably out-scoring a listless Portadown before 1,500 fans at Turner's Cross last night. Their superiority over opponents whose first half performance, in particular, had little to recommend it was scarcely reflected in their winning margin.

There were only 65 seconds gone on the clock when Cork took the lead and the pattern of the game was firmly set. Neale Fenn sent John O'Flynn in from the right and his delicate chip across goal brushed off the head of a defender and fell kindly for the closing Billy Woods. He was unmarked as he struck it home on the half-volley from eight yards.

The goal provoked an immediate response from Portadown, one that did not help their cause. Michael Collins, just back after suspension, was lectured by the referee after he caught George O'Callaghan with a late challenge after just four minutes.

Cork's football was sharp and progressive and far above the moderate heights within Portadown's reach. But Cork's attempts to capitalise on a string of first-half scoring chances were woefully inaccurate.

They continued on their way in the second half as O'Flynn and Woods both failed to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat from inside the penalty area, but Portadown stepped up their game to make it a more competitive contest.

Cork looked to have settled it in the 71st minute when substitute Denis Behan connected with a pass from Fenn from 15 yards. Goalkeeper David Miskelly moved to cover the shot but he was left helpless as the ball struck full-back Paul McStay and flew into the corner.

Darren Kelly was at the heart of Portadown's second-half improvement and he played a big part in their goal in the 73rd minute. Kelly advanced to the Cork penalty area to head on a throw-in and the ball fell for Paddy Quinn to strike it neatly past goalkeeper Michael Devine from 20 yards.

Cork continued to set the tempo of the game but it was not until the 90th minute they scored their third goal.

George O'Callaghan's powerful shot from 25 yards was flying into the net and it took a slight deflection off centre-back John Convery to ensure the goalkeeper could not get near it.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; O'Donovan, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Woods; Fenn, O'Flynn (Behan 68).

PORTADOWN: Miskelly; McStay (Craig 71), Kelly, Convery, O'Hara; McCann, Quinn, Collins (Alderdice 45), Teggart; Boyle, Baker (Liggett 66).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).