O'Donovan lifts Cork back into contention
Tuesday 20th March 2007, 10:44 pm
Roy O'Donovan, had an eventful night for Cork City.
Photo by Tom Carey.
20th March 2007
Setanta Sports Cup Group 2
Cork City 4
Roy O'Donovan 46, 76
Cillian Lordan 60
Ray Lally 90
Portadown 0
Turner's Cross
Cork City may have finally breathed some life into their faltering start to the season. The Rebels ran out 4-0 winners over Portadown in tonight's Setanta Sports Cup group 2 game at Turner's Cross. The result moves Cork second in the group and all but ends Portadown's hopes of a semi-final place.
A scoreless first half progressed fairly evenly to the break and the home support were no doubt dreading another barren night in front of goal.
Roy O'Donovan fired Cork in front just after half-time as John O'Flynn's attempt fell kindly for him inside the area.
Cillian Lordan struck for a stunning second on the hour as his twenty-five yard shot flew past goalkeeper Kevin Pressman. O'Donovan nipped in for his second of the night on 76 minutes, taking advantage as Pressman flapped at an attempted clearance.
An 80th minute penalty appeared to be the perfect opportunity for O'Donovan to claim his hat-trick but Pressman redeemed himself by saving the spot kick.
It wasn't the end of the scoring and Ray Lally made it 4-0 in the final minute - O'Donovan doing the hard work to create a simple finish.
Cork City : Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Ryan; Cillian Lordan, Softic, Murphy (Cathal Lordan 73), Woods (Lally 86),O'Flynn (Behan 76), O'Donovan.
Portadown : Pressman, Craig, McStay, McKeown, Kennedy, Boyle, Marks, Collins (Teggart 60), McCann (Smart 73), McCutcheon (Liggett 66), Braniff.