Sport

Morrow's late penalty gives Derry another chance

Cork City 1 Derry City 1 : A LATE goal gave Derry City a draw against Cork City at Turner's Cross on Saturday evening.

Mon Sept 15 2008 - 01:00

Cork City 1 Derry City 1: A LATE goal gave Derry City a draw against Cork City at Turner's Cross on Saturday evening.

Alan Mathews's team had led for the majority of this quarter-final tie, courtesy of a first-half strike from Darren Murphy.

With seven minutes remaining, however, Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine brought down Mark Farren in the box and Sammy Morrow converted the subsequent penalty to force a replay at the Brandywell on Tuesday, September 30th.

It was the second time the sides had met in the space of a week, following their league clash on Monday night when an 87th- minute goal from Tommy Stewart gave Derry a share of the spoils. Back in March, Conor Sammon earned Stephen Kenny's side a draw with a goal three minutes into added time.

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With Cork aiming to retain the cup they won last December, Darren Murphy's excellent effort gave them a 36th-minute lead in Saturday's encounter. He cut in from the right and took advantage of some casual Derry defending, before driving the ball beyond goalkeeper Gerard Doherty.

The holders were full value for their lead and should have doubled that advantage on a number of occasions in the second-half, with Denis Behan and Liam Kearney asking serious questions of the Derry City back four.

But it wasn't to be for the debt-ridden club, as Derry were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute as a result of some clumsiness on the part of Devine. The Cork goalkeeper hurtled into Farren as the Derry striker chased a long ball over the top, and referee Richard Winter had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

It was a brave decision by the official, but afterwards, Cork City manager Mathews admitted he wasn't convinced. "My thoughts are that I would suggest he have a look at the tape and review his own performance. Perhaps he could have done a bit better," said the Cork boss.

Substitute Morrow made no mistake from the penalty spot. Colin Healy did have two opportunities to win the game for Cork in the closing stages, but he was denied by Gerard Doherty.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Kelly, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy, Healy, Gamble, Ryan (Dudfield, 82 mins); Kearney, Behan.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Gray, Hargan (Morrow, 59 mins); McGinn, McGlynn, Higgins, Deery (Molloy, 76 mins), Stewart (McHugh, 70 mins); Farren.

Referee: R Winter(Dublin).