CORK CITY VIRTUALLY assured their place in the next round of the Setanta Cup with a 4-0 first-leg victory over Cliftonville at Turners Cross tonight.
Gearóid Morrissey put the hosts ahead on 16 minutes, before an Ian Turner brace put them three goals to the good going in at half-time.
Daryl Kavanagh’s goal with just over 20 minutes remaining put the icing on the cake, as Tommy Dunne’s side ran out comfortable winners against their lacklustre Irish League opponents.
In contrast with their League of Ireland compatriots, Shamrock Rovers had a less successful evening at Tallaght Stadium.
A David Scullion goal on the brink of half-time gave Coleraine a 1-0 win ultimately.
Despite the home side having the majority of the territory and possession over the course of the game, the visitors managed to hold out for a narrow victory.
Drogheda United’s encounter with Portadown at Hunky Dorys Park, by contrast, was a far more entertaining and high-scoring affair, with the former ultimately winning 3-2.
Mick Cooke’s side went two goals up inside the opening 14 minutes, thanks to strikes from Ryan Brennan and Paul O’Conor.
However, their opponents responded well, grabbing two goals back through Aaron Burns and Kevin Braniff.
Gavin Brennan then scored the winner on the hour mark, giving his side a slight advantage going into the second leg.
Finally, the game between St Patrick’s Athletic and Glentoran at Richmond Park ended 0-0.
It was a relatively uneventful match, though Jordan Keegan could have won it late on, but his strike was well saved by Elliot Morris.
