Kilkenny City were full value for an exciting win over Cork City at Turner's Cross yesterday as they dumped one of the cup favourites out at the third round stage.
Kilkenny found their best form as they defied Cork on a day when the swirling wind made good football difficult. A goal in each half sent their army of fans home in jubilant mood.
"I am absolutely delighted for the supporters who made the journey here," said manager Pat Byrne afterwards. "And also for the players because they played with great heart and courage to achieve this result.
"If you do not battle and compete when you come to Cork then you are going to get hammered, and my lads competed brilliantly and were honest in everything they did."
Kilkenny had the advantage of the wind in the opening half, but when the best two chances that fell their way were spurned by Jonathan Prizeman, it looked as if Cork had succeeded in containing them and were set to dominate the second half.
Kilkenny struck just before half-time, however, and it was fitting that centre half Brendan Rea put them ahead, when he headed in a corner kick from Ray Carolan. Rea was outstanding throughout the match.
Cork might well have equalised after 53 minutes when Pat Morley chipped the ball over goalkeeper Robert Forde only to see it slip wide of the post, and again Stephen Napier headed wide following a free kick when it looked easier to score.
Yet, Cork found no inspiration on the day and there was a predictable ring to their attacking play as they sought too often to find the heads of their tall players; Noel Hartigan, Derek Coughlan and Johnny Glynn.
They paid the ultimate penalty when Sean Murray sent Aidan Forde racing clear from the halfway line, after 75 minutes. When Forde tumbled under a challenge from Declan Daly, the referee showed the Cork defender the red card and Michael Kerley stepped up to score from the penalty.
Cork manager Dave Barry was disappointed but gracious afterwards. "We have no arguments, the better team won on the day. The goal just before half-time was crucial and I am just disappointed for the supporters because the players let themselves and their fans down."
The Kilkenny dressing-room was, not surprisingly, a lively place after the game as they celebrated one of the biggest victories in the club's history.
"We are delighted with our result and performance," said goalscorer Rea. "It seems unbelievable, but had we taken all our chances we might have won even more convincingly.
"As it stands it is difficult to accept the fact that we won by two clear goals - we came here thinking that if we succeeded in getting a draw we would be delighted."
The point he made was justifiable. For Kilkenny found Cork on a day when the home team were out of touch and that was evident after just four minutes when Prizeman raced clear of the defence and flicked the ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper Phil Harrington only to see it narrowly clear the crossbar.
Prizeman was always a source of trouble to Cork, for he timed his breaks from midfield to perfection in support of Kilkenny's lone striker Sean Murray.
"We concentrated on releasing Prizeman," said Byrne, "we worked to get him forward and he did tremendously well. The only flaw in his game was his finish, which let him down twice in the first half."
This was a minor complaint, however, on a day when Kilkenny were ruthlessly efficient in defence, where they had five players in a line protecting goalkeeper Robert Forde. The goalkeeper was also an inspirational figure and was always calm, despite Cork's sustained second-half pressure.
With Brian Flood showing the benefits of his vast experience in the centre of midfield, Kilkenny were well balanced and confident.
It was a good day all round for Kilkenny and particularly for manager Byrne. "We've worked hard for this day," he said, "and it is a wonderful feeling to know our name will be in the hat for the fourth round."
Cork City: Harrington, O'Halloran, Daly, Coughlan, Napier, Flanagan, L O'Brien, Freyne, Cahill, Caulfield, Morely. Subs: C O'Brien for L O'Brien (46 mins); Hartigan for Caulfield (65 mins); Glynn for Napier (71 mins).
Kilkenny City: R Forde, Keogh, Rea, Kerley, Breen, Carolan, Scully, Flood, A Forde, Murray, Prizeman. Subs: Jordan for A Forde (78 mins); Flynn for Murray (91 mins).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin)