Cork City ended Limerick’s hopes of a place in the FAI Cup final after they narrowly defeated the Blues 1-0 at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.
An early strike from Cork City’s Garry Buckley proved to be the difference between the sides as the current holders of the trophy progress to their third consecutive final on November 5 in the Aviva Stadium.
City started the game off right and should have been ahead in the opening minutes when Buckley missed an easy chance in front of goal. He would soon make up for the miss by giving Cork the lead after just 15 minutes.
Man of the Match Karl Sheppard provided a neat lay-off into the box which was volleyed to the back post by Kieran Sadlier, straight into the path of Buckley who slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Limerick were relatively quiet in the first half until Chiedoze Ogbene weaved through the City defence to get to the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful shot that forced a great save from Mark McNulty.
Limerick looked much better coming out of the first half and their best opportunity to equalise came 10 minutes into the second half.
Midfielder Bastien Hery picked out Brazilian the head of striker Rodrigo Tosi with a beautiful crossfield pass only for the header to fly just over the bar.
Cork City controlled most of the second half and allowed very few opportunities for Limerick until the last few ticks of the clock Hery’s header looked to be a goal before being cleared off the line brilliantly and not long after the final whistle was blown.
Cork City now advance to their third FAI Cup final in a row and look to win their first league and cup double since 1941.
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