Cork City 0-1 Derry City

Eamon Zayed was the Derry City hero as the Candystripes claimed their tenth EA Sports Cup victory with a 1-0 victory over Cork City in tonight’s final at Turner’s Cross.

Having been guilty of missing two chances in the first half, Zayed then held his nerve to calmly convert his 67th minute penalty, deceiving Cork City’s goalkeeper Mark McNulty to score the only goal of a fascinating game.

Earlier Graham Cummins struck the Derry City post with a fine shot, whereas Derry’s Ruiadhri Higgins was also denied by the woodwork before Zayed settled the argument.

Yet when Cork reflect on this game, it will be some, but not much regret. Yes, they had their chances – Cummins’ proving to be the best of them – but in the final analysis, the team with the sharper tactical brains and more mobile players proved victorious.

What unfolded over the 90 minutes was typical of an encounter between a maturing side and one who have graduated into a real force.

Cork started tentatively, sticking strictly to their game-plan which ensured their goalkeeper Mark McNulty was protected by two banks of four defenders and midfielder – as Derry’s 4-3-3 formation struggled to get going.

Ironically, it took a Cork near-miss for them to spark to life, as Cummins’ shot served ultimately to make the home side hungrily chase glory, abandoning their game-plan in the process, allowing Derry to make the most of their new found space.

Key to the turnaround was their midfield pairing of Kevin Deery and Ruaidhri Higgins, whose control of the game increased as the night unfolded – Higgins striking the crossbar with a first half effort, Deery having the shot which led to Gavin Kavanagh conceding the game-changing penalty.

Yet for all Derry’s positivity, there was a steeliness about them too. Once ahead, they refused to give Cork an inch, turning their 4-3-3 shape into a safety-first 4-5-1 one, ensuring they had safety in numbers as the home side went for a death or glory approach in those closing moments.

In the end, that didn’t prove enough. What they will regret was the poor quality of their set-plays – Danny Murphy had two free kicks from the edge of the area which he overcomplicated when a straightforward strike seemed the more sensible option – and Derek O’Brien forced Ger Doherty into a fine save.

However, Derry had just as many chances – Zayed missing a hatful before keeping his nerve to strike the winner with 25 minutes left on the clock. From here it was a case of what-we-have-we-hold. And by the end, Derry held on, leaving Deery, their captain, to hold the EA Sports Cup.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Neal Horgan (Danny Morrisey 84), Gavin Kavanagh, Kalen Spillane, Danny Murphy; Ian Turner (Vinny Sullivan 75), Gearoid Morrissey, Shane Duggan, Derek O'Brien (Vincent Escude-Candau 75); Graham Cummins, David O'Neill.

Subs not used: James McCarthy, Craig Burns, Cathal Lordan, Jamie Murphy

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Barry Molloy, Ryan McBride, Stewart Greacen, Emmet Friars; Gareth McGlynn, Kevin Deery, Ruaidhri Higgins; Eamon Zayed, David McDaid (Patrick McEleney 54) Stephen McLaughlin

Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Shane McEleney, Ruairi Harkin,Mark Farren, Thomas McMonagle, James Henry

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)