Monaghan Utd - 1 Cork City - 1For a long time in this Carlsberg FAI Cup tie at Century Homes Park yesterday, an upset looked very much on the cards.
Following a goal from a free in the eighth minute - a remarkable effort by Monaghan midfielder John Leicester - it looked as if Cork were on their way out of our premier cup event.
The home side gave as good as they got in the opening session, and apart from the 30th minute long-range power drive by Greg O'Halloran that crashed off the United crossbar, they had the better of the early exchanges. Indeed, the 1-0 scoreline at the interval did not flatter them.
Cork had the better of play for long periods in the second half but Monaghan defended well and staged an all-out attack in the last few minutes that brought gasps from the crowd as they went close on three occasions.
Monaghan's goal in the early stages of the tie was a fine 25-yard effort by Leicester - a replica of a goal he scored at the same venue a week before against Finn Harps.
Swerving and dipping, it completely baffled Cork City goalkeeper Michael Devine.
Defences were on top thereafter and O'Halloran's shot against the bar was a bolt from the blue.
Cork also came close in the 35th minute when Monaghan goalkeeper Paul Flood blocked a close-range effort from John O'Flynn when the Cork striker was set up by George O'Callaghan.
Monaghan might have gone 2-0 ahead two minutes after the break when Darren McKenna broke through. But he delayed his shot which allowed the Cork defence to clear.
Cork launched a determined effort as the home side decided to let their defence ride out the storm. And their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when O'Halloran rose above a bunch of players to head home Billy Woods' corner.
From then until the end the Monaghan defence, with Mick Scully outstanding, held out against repeated Cork raids.
With five minutes to go the pattern of play changed. The home team, which had relied on catching Cork on the break, threw everything into attack. And in an exciting and absorbing finish they went close to registering a famous win.
Cork goalkeeper Devine made a fine save at the feet of substitute Richie Parsons; another substitute, Alan King, screwed the ball over the bar from close range and Paul Shiels had a pile driver which flicked off a defender and went narrowly wide.
However, a draw was a fair reflection of the play and both sides must face each other again on Tuesday night (7.45) at Turner's Cross.
MONAGHAN UNITED: Flood, Mahedy, McDonnell, Scully, Shevlin, Lester, Byrne, Shiels, Vaughan, McKenna, Hysa. Subs: Field for Vaughan (17 mins); King for Hysa (60); Parons for Byrne (81).
CORK: Devine, Carey, Horgan, Cronin, Napier, Reynolds, O'Halloran, Bennett, O'Flynn, O'Callaghan, Woods, Subs: C T O'Brien for Reynolds (89); C P O'Brien for O'Callaghan (81).
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin)
