Cork City 4 Cliftonville 0Cork City got their season off to a flying start at Turner's Cross last night as they defeated a weakened Cliftonville to all but guarantee their place in the next round.
Two goals inside the opening half hour sent the home side on their way against a Cliftonville side that showed nine changes from the side which defeated Donegal Celtic on Saturday. And they were found wanting against a fresh Cork side, barely managing to create an attempt on goal.
City’s first, coming after 16 minutes, was impressive as midfielder Gearóid Morrissey turned gracefully 25 yards out from goal before driving a clinical strike home.
Nine minutes later they doubled their lead when Ian Turner smashed a penalty into the top left corner, and Turner made it three on the cusp of half-time with a free-kick which dipped over the wall, leaving Cliftonville keeper Ryan Brown with no chance.
There was a noticeable lack of tempo in the second half but with just over 20 minutes to go, City all but secured progression before next week’s return leg when new signing Daryl Kavanagh headed home a Daryl Horgan cross.
CORK CITY: McNulty; N Horgan, K Murray, D Murray, Murphy; Turner, Healy (D Morrissey 73), G Morrissey, Duggan (Rundle 87), D Horgan; Kavanagh (Furlong 73). CLIFTONVILLE: Brown; Cosgrove, Caldwell, McVeigh, Seydak (Reynolds 73); Lynch, Templeton (McMurray 56), McGonnell, Knowles, Donnelly; Boyce (Warwick 73). Attendance: 1,273 Referee: Pádraig Sutton.
