Cork City 1-1 Derry City

A penalty with seven minutes remaining from substitute Sammy Morrow earned Derry City a replay against Ford FAI Cup holders Cork City in a cracking match at a wet Turner's Cross.

Darren Murphy had put the home side in front with a fine goal after 36 minutes, when he found the bottom corner of Gerard Doherty's net, but the visitors equalised after Cork ‘keeper Michael Devine brought down Mark Farran.

Morrow thumped home the spot kick, but Alan Matthew's side almost snatched a win with late chances from Colin Healy and Dan Murray.

This was the third time this season that Stephen Kenny's side have come to Cork and come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw.

What is even more interesting is that all three equalisers came in the closing minutes, and each time the draw was secured with a goal from a substitute.

Conor Sammon scored on Leeside in March in the very last minutes, Thomas Stewart was only on the pitch when he scored in the league last Monday and now a Sammy Morrow penalty in the 83rd minutes means a replay on Tuesday September 30.

In their second meeting in six days, both managers made changes from the 1-1 league draw at the same venue on Monday night.

Cork had Joe Gamble back after serving a one match suspension he came into midfield for Cillian Lordan who was on the bench.

Derry also had Barry Molloy and Stephen Gray returning from suspension, Gray started in defence as did Eddie McCallion who was a substitute on Monday and Thomas Stewart also got the nod from manager Stephen Kenny.

With a steady heavy drizzle falling and both sides playing attacking football, Cork midfielder Darren Murphy scored the lead goal ten minutes before half time.

He beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty area before shooting low to the corner of the net from 15 yards, it was only Murphy's second goal for Cork and both have come in the FAI Cup, the first against Limerick this season in his sides 2-0 win.

Cork were playing well with their defence solid, but Derry were always dangerous on the break and they stayed in the match and introduced three second half substitutes.

Then came the equaliser, there seemed to be no real danger when Mark Farren chased a through ball which was going away from goal, but Cork goalkeeper Devine left the ball to run out of play, but made contact with the Derry forward.

A penalty was awarded, the goalkeeper was booked and Sammy Morrow hit the ball powerfully and high to the net much to the delight of the travelling fans.

Cork lifted their performance a further gear in search of a late winner, Colin Healy broke clear of the visiting defence, but with the goalkeeper to beat he was denied by a great Doherty save.

Cork skipper Dan Murray had a late header following a corner kick taken off the line.

Despite their dreadful financial situation, with the club in
examinership, this was a heart-warming performance from Alan Mathews’ side, but Derry will now be favourites to go through to the semi-final when the sides meet in the Brandywell.

Cork: Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy, Gamble, Healy, Ryan; Kearney, Behan.
Substitutes: Woods, O'Connor, McNulty, Lordan, Dudfield for Ryan 82 mins, Sullivan, Kiely.

Derry: Doherty; Hargan, Delaney, Gray, McCallion; McGlynn, Higgins, Deery, Stewart; Farran, McGinn.
Subs: McHugh for Stewart 70, Morrow for Hargan 60, Molloy for Deery 75, McCrystal, McLean, Callaghan, Quigley.

Referee: R Winter (Dublin).