Cork City manager John Caulfield hailed their breakthrough goal by Ross Gaynor last night as the Rebels reached the last four of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup by beating Derry City 3-0 at Turner's Cross.
Gaynor's stunning strike put City ahead with 16 minutes to go and Garry Buckley and John O'Flynn added late extras to ensure a meeting with Bray Wanderers on Sunday 4 October.
What a strike from @rossgaynor last night as Cork City reached the FAI Cup semi-finals. More on @soccrepublic. https://t.co/gnhEsZg0AZ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 15, 2015
Caulfield said: "It was a fantastic strike by Ross. It was a very tight game. We were in control and created chances but Derry hung in there and you could see it was a night that the first goal was always going to change things.
"It was a spectacular goal and Ross has a habit of doing that. We're delighted to be in the semi-finals."
Caulfield said his side took advantage when Derry pressed for an equaliser and was thrilled to seal the semi-final date with the Seagulls.
"To be fair to Derry, they had to throw caution to the wind and they came out. They had been playing us on the counter attack. After the first goal, they had to open up more.
"Garry Buckley got a fantastic header at the back post and John O'Flynn has really been working so hard the last couple of months and has been finding it frustrating, but it was a typical 'Flynny' goal.
"I think 3-0 probably flattered us but the most important thing we said tonight was to make sure we are in the next round."
Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi-finals, live on RTÉ2 on Sunday 4 October:
Dundalk v Longford Town
Bray Wanderers v Cork City
