Waterford lose out to Cork City in Munster Cup
Waterford United 1 Cork City 3
Waterford United will travel to Donegal on Thursday as they prepare for their opening league game of the season against Finn Harps on Friday. On Saturday last they played Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup but the Premier League side proved to be to strong for the local side. Two of Waterford's top players, captain Vinny Sullivan and midfield player Shane Murray had to miss the game because both fell ill during the hours leading up to the contest.
Cork City went in front on seven minutes when John Dunleavy cut in from the left with considerable ease to cross for John Kavanagh and he gave his former teammate Kevin Burns no chance with a close range finish.
The visitors doubled their lead seven minutes later when Dennehy's corner kick wasn't dealt with by keeper Burns and former Sligo Rovers striker Anthony Elding hammered the ball to the net from ten yards.
Peter White had the final chance of the first half but his close range effort was kept out by McNulty with Jack Doherty firing the rebound high over the crossbar as the Blues went in at the break two goals down.
A third Cork City goal arrived on 55 minutes when a long ball from Darren Dennehy saw Anthony Elding get the better of Blues defender Patrick Fitzgerald in a battle for possession and he gave keeper Burns no chance with a sweet right-footed shot from 16 yards.
The Blues did find the net with a fine goal of their own on 75 minutes when Brian Nolan went on a great run before setting up Jack Doherty, who finished superbly to the corner of the net. The scene is now set for the game against Finn Harps. Waterford have a good record in Ballyfoey in recent times and hopefully another positive result can be secured on Friday. The past two season have seen the Blues struggle in the opening series of games so a good start is vital to prevent another season of playing catch up.
Waterford United: Kevin Burns, Conor Whittle, Shaun Corcoran (Brian Nolan `64), Gavin Kavanagh, Patrick Fitzgerald, Paddy Barrett, Jack Doherty, Peter White (Paul Quilty `64), Conor Meade, Kevin O'Connor, Philip Drohan (Kynan Rocks `76)
Cork City: Mark McNulty, Brian Lenihan, John Kavanagh (Danny Murphy `60), John Dunleavy, Darren Dennehy, Gearoid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Andy O'Connell, Anthony Elding, Billy Dennehy (Ian Turner `76), Garry Buckley (Kevin Mulcahy `76
