Sam Todd goal sends Derry City into FAI Cup quarterfinals

Cork City 0

Derry City 1

Derry City survived a torrid first half at Turner's Cross to progress to the FAI Cup quarterfinals thanks to Sam Todd's first goal for the club. 

The defender rose highest to head home Ben Doherty’s corner just 18 minutes from time to secure a very important win for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players at the home of the First Division’s runaway leaders.

The final score line does not do Cork City justice however, with the home side missing several big chances in a one-sided first half.

Cork’s first corner of the game should have resulted in a goal for Malik Dijksteel, but he somehow missed his header from close range, but the ball still fell invitingly for Ruairi Keating, who volleyed over the bar from close range when it looked easier to score.

Dijksteel then set up Sean Maguire, sending the Cork striker through on goal, but he took his shot early and sent it right across goal past Maher but also past the far post, much to Derry’s relief.

The home side were busy all over the pitch and Maher had to come to Derry’s rescue on 25 minutes when O’Reilly lost the ball to Dijksteel, who flicked the ball through for Keating, who went through on goal only to be denied by the Derry City goalkeeper who was off his line quickly to block.

The first half ended with Derry City cut wide open again, and again it was Dijksteel doing the damage, sending Maguire through on goal again; this time the striker got it right and beat Brian Maher, but Corm were denied by an incredible goal line clearance from Ciaran Coll.

Cork were unable to raise themselves to the same levels as they did in the first half, and they paid the price when Derry City broke the deadlock on 72 minutes. Unable to create anything from open play, the visitors were left relying on set-plays, and they made one count when Ben Doherty’s corner found substitute Sam Todd, who headed in his first ever goal for the club.

Shane McEleney should have made sure of Derry City’s progress with 10 minutes remaining as another set-play caught Cork City cold, but he somehow headed wide from less than six yards from another pinpoint Doherty corner.

The visitors almost paid the price for that miss as Cork City came so close to equalising within 60 seconds, substitute Cian Murphy’s volley fingertipped over the bar by an alert Maher.

Teams

Cork City: Wade, Coleman, Bolger, Dijksteel (Murphy 76’), Murray, McLaughlin, Crowley, Lyons, O’Sullivan, Maguire, Keating.

Derry City: Maher, Doherty, S McEleney, Coll, Dummigan, O’Reilly (Todd 53’), Patching, McMullan (Kelly 86’), Duffy, Mullen (Dialo 71’), Hoban.

Referee: Marc Lynch