Cork City's remarkable revival under manager Liam Murphy continued at Turner's Cross yesterday. Cork dominated a youthful Galway side in the second half and a two-goal scoring burst in as many minutes pushed them into a 3-0 lead.
Galway finished with 10 men after Michael Quirke exited 16 minutes from the end following a tackle on Alan Carey.
Cork were already leading 3-0 at that point and were well in control. Their second half dominance stemmed from the introduction of three substitutes and particularly from the influence of Anthony Buckley in midfield.
When Colin O'Brien came in to add some pace on the right wing Cork regularly carved open the Galway defence even if they failed to add to their score.
Galway had the better of the opening half and would have led at the break but for losing scoring chances, with Barry Moran twice close to opening their account and Derek O'Brien stretching goalkeeper Michael Devine with a spectacular volley.
But Cork went in front when Derek Coughlan headed in a beautiful corner from Ollie Cahill and they took control after the break. Kelvin Flanagan side-footed home another corner from Buckley in the 65th minute and Ollie Cahill charged down an attempted clearance from Nigel Keady to add the third within another minute.
Galway scored in the 90th minute.
CORK CITY: Devine; Carey, Coughlan, Daly, Horgan; Caulfield, Flanagan, Herrick, Cahill; Hartigan, Morley. Subs: Freyne and Buckley for Caulfield and Herrick (62 mins); O'Brien for Flanagan (71 mins).
GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Keady, Cleary, Silke, Quirke; Ryan, Murphy, Sheridan, O'Brien; Keane, Moran. Subs: Goldbey for Keane (65 mins); Crossley for Sheridan (70 mins); Morgan for Moran (82 mins). Referee; H Byrne (Dublin).