Cork City  3 - 0  Limerick 37

Tuesday 29^th April 2008

Cork City made it through to the quarter finals of the eircom League Cup after this win over Limerick's young side at a near deserted Turners Cross.

Only 292 fans saw a full strength Cork City strike two second half goals thanks to George O'Callaghan to add to a first half effort from Neale Horgan, as Cork gained victory over a gallant Limerick who never stopped working to the end.

Horgan struck a low shot after 24 minutes for his first of the season, and O'Callaghan scored twice in seven second half minutes to send his side into the last eight of the competition.

The wisdom of playing this encounter at the same time as a Champions League semi-final on the television, meant there were no more than 292 fans in attendance of which about 50 from Limerick, but the diehards saw the home side dominate the first half and take the lead after 24 minutes through full back Neale Horgan's strike.

George O'Callaghan struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area which hit the crossbar, the rebound fell to Liam Kearney who was denied a goal by diving goalkeeper Jimmy Fyffe, but Horgan made no mistake with a low drive from just inside the penalty area.

Limerick manager Michael Kerley introduced Willie Bruton who was very bright after coming on along with Chukuwuma Manjor at the break in attempt to get back into the game.

Alan Matthew's side clinched the victory just after the hour when Alan O'Connor passed to O'Callaghan who drilled home a low deflected shot from 20 yards past the helpless Fyffe, and midfielder O'Callaghan, enjoying a central midfield role, made it 3-0 after 68 minutes.

Willie Bruton was put through on goal late on by Fogerty only to see his shot smothered by the Cork Keeper and Rossi Cosgrove also brought a save from Devine after an excellent run from inside his own half.

Cork almost added to the scoreline with seven minutes remaining when Denis Behan from Abbeyfeale was put through but the excellent Fyffe saved at the edge of the area.

Overall it will have been a good experience for this young Limerick side to play one of the Leagues elite as never at any stage did Limerick hang their heads and played for the Jersey right to the Finish.

Cork City: Devine, Horgan, Murray, Darren Murphy, Danny Murphy, Healy, Sullivan, O'Callaghan, Kearney, Behan, O'Connor.

Substitutions: Ryan for Kearney (68mins), O'Brien for Healy (74mins), Gamble for Sullivan (81mins).
Subs not used: McNulty, Lordan.

Limerick: Fyffe, White, Cleary, Danaher, Barrett, Fogerty, Daly, McCarthy, Curtin, Cosgrave

Substitutions: Manjor for Curtin (46mins), Bruton for Ryan (46mins), Hayes for McCarthy (69mins)
Subs not used: Grant, Fitzpatrick