Shamrock Rovers kicked off the inaugural FAI Super Cup at Morton Stadium last night with a 2-1 victory over Cork City. For a game aimed at providing competitive action for domestic clubs preparing for Europe, this was a surprisingly one-sided affair.
The Cork City management opted for youth over experience, with several of the FAI Cup-winning team forced to sit this match out.
Rovers sealed their place in Sunday's final with two goals within the space of four minutes. The first came six minutes after the interval with Cork City goalkeeper Noel Moody misjudging a free-kick from Marc Kenny on the right hand side. Four minutes later Paul Stokes made it 2-0.
The Cork goal came on 78 minutes when Jason Kabia converted a penalty kick.
Shamrock Rovers: Forde; Britton, Dunne, Brazil, Tracey, Colwell, Stokes, Cousins, Purdy, Kenny, Woods. Subs: O'Neill for Purdy (56 mins), Morrisroe for Brazil (59 mins), Horgan for Forde (65 mins), Francis for Stokes (75 mins), Murray for Cousins (83 mins).
Cork City: Mooney; O'Donnell, Cronin, Hill, Daly, O'Halloran, Cahill, Flanagan, Kabia, BarryMurphy, Cotter. Subs: Crowley for Daly (2 mins), McCarthy for O'Donnell (45 mins)
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
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