Cork City send St Patrick’s Athletic packing

Cork City 4 St Patrick's Athletic 0

Garry Buckley scored twice as Cork City got back to winning ways with victory over St Patrick's Athletic in the FAI Cup at Turner's Cross.

Defeats in the past week to Limerick and Shamrock Rovers had severely dented the SSE Airticity League Premier Division hopes of John Caulfield’s side but a solid and assured performance here should serve to kick start their momentum.

Colin Healy, used from the substitutes’ bench in the loss to Rovers on Monday, was restored in a rejigged midfield alongside Liam Miller. With Steven Beattie cup-tied, Kevin O’Connor pushed up from left-back to the wing, with Ross Gaynor dropping from midfield to defence.

Three alterations

The other switch saw Michael McSweeney come in for John Kavanagh at right-back.

With St Patrick's also coming into the game on the back of a loss on Monday, 4-1 at Premier Division leaders Dundalk, manager Liam Buckley opted to make three alterations. Ger O'Brien and Jason McGuinness came into the Saints' defence for Shane McEleney and Sean Hoare while Killian Brennan was chosen at midfield instead of Jamie McGrath.

Despite the lack of atmosphere, partly due to a crowd of just 1,778, the hosts began brightly. Mark O’Sullivan almost latched onto a fourth-minute clearance but McGuinness dealt with the situation.

St Patrick’s threatened as well in that first period, however, in which they forced the home defence into goal-line clearances on three different occasions. The first of these came in the 10th minute, as Conan Byrne intercepted Dan Murray’s loose pass, but Mark McNulty was quick off his line. This forced the winger to have to shoot early and Alan Bennett was able to get back in time to stop the ball going in.

Murray had more of a desired impact on the quarter-hour as City had the ball in the net. His pass allowed Healy to make a surging run before passing to Buckley, who shot was saved by Brendan Clarke but O’Sullivan was following up to finish.

Unfortunately for the home support, the celebrations were brief as the flag had been raised for offside.

St Patrick’s began to have the better of proceedings, with Aaron Greene testing McNulty from distance with a rasping shot which the goalkeeper was unable to hold and, just after the half-hour, City again needed a last-ditch clearance. Ian Bermingham’s cross from the left was met at the back post by Byrne, allowing Aaron Greene a chance but once again Bennett was there to prevent a goal.

Almost instant

On 36 minutes, it was James Chambers’ turn to go close for St Patrick’s, but his header was repelled by Murray.

John Kavanagh was a half-time sub for City and his impact was almost instant. Deployed on the right of midfield, he drew a foul two minutes in. From Gaynor’s free kick, the ball hit Green and then came back off the post, allowing Buckley to net from close range.

Less than four minutes later, the lead was doubled. This time, Brennan was bundled off the ball by O’Sullivan 30 yards out and, with the way clear in front of him, he lashed an unstoppable shot beyond Clarke for his eighth goal in as many games.

With the confidence flowing again, City were in full flight and it was no surprise when Buckley got his second and his side’s third shortly after the hour mark. Miller fed Gaynor, who cut in from the left and shot, with Clarke’s parry giving Buckley an easy task.

At the death, Billy Dennehy – introduced for the injured Kavanagh for his first appearance since July 2nd – made it four after Sheppard had created an easy chance for him.

CORK CITY: McNulty; McSweeney, Bennett, Murray, Gaynor; Healy, Miller; Sheppard, Buckley, O'Connor (Kavanagh half-time), B Dennehy 70); O'Sullivan (Kearney 76).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O'Brien, McGuinness, Desmond, Bermingham; Bolger, Brennan (McGrath 55); Byrne (Hoare 66), Chambers, Forrester; Greene (Langley).

Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan).

Attendance: 1,778.