SETANTA SPORTS CUP/ Dungannon 0 Cork City 2: NEW MANAGER Alan Mathews enjoyed a winning baptism via a comfortable victory courtesy of George O'Callaghan's brace at Stangmore Park last night.
The former Ipswich Town attacking midfielder expertly dispatched a free-kick to give City a deserved early lead, and doubled that just before the interval.
Swifts, bidding to complete a hat-trick of wins after morale-boosting, back-to-back league successes over Cliftonville and Ballymena United, had one change from Saturday's home victory, with Mark McConkey replacing the suspended Terry Fitzpatrick.
But, in truth, the Irish League part-timers were always playing second fiddle to their Eircom opponents.
O'Callaghan's threat was in evidence within seconds of the kick-off, his free-kick met perfectly by Dan Murray who, with a goal at his mercy, headed weakly wide of the near post.
And, on 10 minutes, O'Callaghan fired an 18-yard free just inches over after a foul by John Curran on Denis Behan.
Four minutes later Cork took the lead. At the third time of trying, O'Callaghan scored from a 22-yard effort wide on the left.
O'Callaghan then shot narrowly wide with a superb curling shot.
Mark McAllister and Jamie Tomelty wasted great chances for the home side, before the insurance strike.
On 42 minutes, Behan's pass to Joe Gamble was played forward to O'Callaghan who chested the ball down before hitting a bullet-like left-footed shot to the heart of the Dungannon net.
O'Callaghan had a couple of chances to grab his hat-trick, the first on 49 minutes when he met a cross from Liam Kearney but without the necessary power or direction.
And, 20 minutes later, he tried an ambitious, 30-yard shot after spotting the goalkeeper off his line. His well-executed lob wasn't far away, clipping the crossbar before landing on top of the net.
Swifts made a few changes and caused some late pressure, but it the visitors came closer to scoring.
DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Nelson, McConkey, Gallagher, Montgomery, Curran, Murphy, Tomelty, Hegarty, McAllister (Ferry 84 mins), Friel, McCarron. Subs not used: Morgan, Cunningham, McCaffrey, McGerrigan, Okunaiya, McDonald.
CORK CITY: Devine, Ryan, Mulcahy, Murray, Gamble, O'Callaghan, Lordan, Behan, Sullivan, Kearney, Mooney (O'Flynn 91 mins). Subs not used: Farrelly, McNulty, Softic, Murphy, Meyler, O'Connor.
Referee: Alan Black(Antrim).
