RT� Sport: Cork City 2-1 Glentoran (original) (raw)

Cork City have won the Setanta Cup and a prize of €150,000 in front of a passionate sellout crowd, after they came from behind to deservedly defeat Irish league leaders Glentoran at Turner's Cross.

Glentoran went in front after 12 minutes when full-back Kyle Neill thumped a 20-yard free-kick low past Cork goalkeeper Mark McNulty.

But it was all Cork after the break, and they equalised after 57 minutes when captain and man-of-the match Dan Murray scored from a Danny Murphy corner-kick, before Liam Kearney headed the winner on 74 minutes.

Cork, who were appearing in their second final, having lost to Drogheda in the 2006 decider at Tolka Park, had overcome their mid-season financial crisis after owners Arkaga withdrew their backing, to make it to the decider after seven unbeaten games in the competition.

Glentoran, who are top of the Irish league after a run of 11 unbeaten games, were in fact unbeaten in 25 league games since New Year's Day, and had come through the tough group with victories over St Patrick's Athletic and Linfield.

Following their semi-final win in Drogheda however, they were without suspended defenders Jason Hill and skipper Paul Leeman, whilst Cork were at near full strength, although Colin Healy was still out with a shoulder injury.

Glentoran had their supporters singing after just 12 minutes when midfielder Daryl Fordyce touched a free-kick for Neill to thump low to the corner of the Cork net.

Cork had the bulk of the attacking moves before the break, with one effort from Liam Kearney forcing a diving save from Elliott Morris, in a competitive half that saw three players booked, Dan Murphy and Joe Gamble of Cork and Philip Simpson for the visitors.

City were really determined after the break, as they came forward in search of an equaliser, which came 12 minutes into the second half.

Danny Murphy curled a corner to the far post, and skipper Murray poked the ball home from six yards out.

Alan Mathews' side came forward in wave after wave of attacks and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead.

Alan O'Connor sent in a cross from the right wing, Denis Behan headed the ball back across goal, and when Lawrie Dudfield mishit his shot, there was Kearney to head home from about a yard out.

Midfielder Darren Murphy fired a shot just over the crossbar and Behan sent a piledriver into the side-netting. But it was a great result for a club who were on their knees just a few weeks ago.

Cork: McNulty; Horgan, Murray, Sullivan, Dan Murphy; O'Connor, Darren Murphy, Gamble, Kearney (Ryan 90); Dudfield, Behan.

Glentoran: Morris; Nixon, Simpson, Ward, Taylor; Scullion (Waterworth 63), Fordyce (Fitzgerald 77), McCabe, Neill; Hamilton, Halliday.

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).