Derry City 1 Cork City 1

It may have been an improved Derry City performance at the Brandywell last night against Cork, but Peter Hutton’s troops must now do it the hard way if they are to progress to the last four.

The long trek from Foyleside to Leeside awaits Derry and, to be fair, the result was probably a fair one given the overall balance of play.

With Patrick McEleney in fine form, Derry started well and they were rewarded with the vital breakthrough goal in the fourth minute, following a set-piece.

McEleney whipped the ball into the danger area from the corner flag and team skipper Ryan McBride rose to direct a downward header into the net.

One minute before the break Cork went close to equalising when Billy Dennehy’s low free-kick scraped the outside of the Derry upright.

However, within four minutes of the second half the Leesiders were back on level terms and it was a goal of Derry’s own making.

Intercept

Defender Dean Jarvis failed to adequately clear his lines as he attempted to intercept the ball, his deflection sending Karl Sheppard clear on goal. However, he was denied by a superb Ger Doherty save. But when the ball broke out to the Mark O’Sullivan, the striker picked his spot before driving it inside the post to level matters from 18 yards.

Cork enjoyed the better chances as the game wore on but Derry held on for a deserved draw.

DERRY CITY: Doherty, McLaughlin, McBride, Barry, Jarvis, Dooley (Curran 80 mins), Cornwall, McNamee, McEleney, Timlin, Quigley (Morrison 64 mins).

CORK CITY: McNulty, McSweeney, D Dennehy, Bennett, Gaynor, Murray (Dunleavy 76 mins), Buckley, Sheppard, Miller, B Dennehy, O’Sullivan.

Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan)