Wexford Youths 0 Cork City 1:SUBSTITUTE DAVIN O'Neill provided the crucial 72nd-minute strike as Cork City eventually forced a breakthrough to send Wexford Youths packing at Ferrycarrig Park last night.
Cork City should have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute following a splendid move down the left. Gearóid Morrissey linked up with Danny Murphy, whose cross was flicked on by Graham Cummins only for Ian Turner to drill a rising shot off the underside of the crossbar.
The home side’s defensive set-up saw Cork City struggle after that bright opening although Cummins headed a 15th minute chance narrowly wide.
Cummins played a delightful through ball into the path of Vincent Escude-Candau who hooked the ball wide of the left hand post.
After 51 minutes Cork were awarded a penalty after Turner was taken down just inside the right edge of area but Escude-Candau’s kick was well-saved by keeper Holden.
Cork’s long-awaited breakthrough came after 72 minutes when sub O’Neill, only on the pitch four minutes, fired home a superb 20-yard shot. Wexford had Dean Broaders red-carded late on.
WEXFORD YOUTHS: Holden, Phelan, Broaders, Kinsella, Kehoe, Malone (Ylverton, 80 mins), Elmes, Wall, Furlong, Walshe (Mullen, 80 mins), Vickers (Grincell, 66 mins).
CORK CITY: McCarthy, Turner (Morrissey, 92 mins), Murphy, Morrissey, Duggan, Cummins (Sullivan, 81 mins), O’Brien, Sillane, Kavanagh, Horgan, Escude-Candau (O’Neill, 68 mins).
Referee: J McKell (Clonmel).
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