CORK CITY banished their poor start to the league to the back of their minds and earned a considerable morale boost with a sound thumping of league champions St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park last night to cruise into the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Cork had the perfect start with a gem of a goal from captain John Caulfield after only four minutes. Colin O'Brien's ball in from the right was laid off neatly by Damien O'Connell for Caulfield to beat Brian McKenna with a delightful chip from the edge of the box.

St Patrick's were then caught out at the back for Cork's second goal when Declan Daly's throw-in on the right was flicked on by Kelvin Flanagan and O'Brien turned well to beat McKenna with a low, left foot shot from 15 yards.

Cork should have had the cushion of a 3-0 interval lead when they were awarded a penalty a minute before the break after Mick Moody had pulled down Caulfield. But McKenna had little trouble in parrying Cronin's poor spot kick.

St Patrick's, having begun with a 4-3-3 formation with Packie Lynch moved forward into midfield, changed to an all-out attacking 4-2-4 with Brian Morrisroe coming on at halftime. However, they chased the game with little conviction and were always vulnerable.

Cork broke away for their third goal 13 minutes from time. Ollie Cahill's initial shot was well parried by McKenna, but only straight back to Cahill, who sent over a fiercely struck low cross which O'Flaherty, of all people, helped over the line.