Finn Harps start slowly as Cork City advance to the FAI Cup semi-final

Finn Harps rued a slow start in their FAI Cup quarter-final as Cork City advanced to the final four in torrential rain at Finn Park.

Evan McLaughlin hit the net after ninety seconds following a mix-up in the Harps defence from a Conor Brann long kick.

And it was the goalkeeper’s free from just outside his own box again that, in the breeze, took a bounce and former Republic of Ireland striker Sean Maguire poked it into the top corner.

Gradi Lomboto had a couple of chances, including a 1-on-1 as it took the Harps 25 minutes to find their footing, but they were the more dangerous side in that second quarter.

They couldn’t find the net however despite some half chances after the restart and it was McLaughlin, whose shot at the second attempt made it three with 15 minutes to play.

The Harps got to the last eight without having to leave the county after home wins over UCD and Bray Wanderers, while it was a first away day for the visitors, having won against Leicester Celtic and Waterford.

In front of a good crowd, with 1,675 in attendance, Kevin McHugh made two changes as Gavin McAteer and Josh Cullen returned from Ireland Under-17 duty.

But missing the suspended experienced defensive duo of Conor Tourish and Max Hutchison, it was clearly a huge loss from early on as Cork hit two in the opening ten minutes.

They wasted no time in getting the first as Evan McLaughlin latched on to a long ball that was unintentionally headed into the Harps box by Joel Bradley Walsh, and the former Derry City man controlled it well before firing under Lorenzo Piaia.

Cork were completely dominant in the early stages, McLaughlin then missing a 1-on-1 as he fired over the bar, while Sean Murray had a header on target.

Maguire and McLaughlin played a 1-2, which saw Maguire hit the near post at the second attempt, but he would find the net two minutes later.

A free kick well inside the Cork third was launched forward by Brann and the bounce evaded Josh Cullen, with Maguire making no mistake from close range with a classy finish.

There was a bit of a lull in the game after this as the Harps settled into the contest and Cork looked comfortable, but the hosts began to threaten.

Their first chance was arguably their best chance too, after a quick counter with Hans Mpongo finding the pacey Lomboto to get in 1-on-1, but Brann got out quickly to save and was brave to get to the rebound before Mpongo.

Lomboto beat two men and got into the box before his touch let him down, while the Harps had a penalty shout as Idir Zerrouk went down in the box and shortly after, Tony McNamee’s effort from range looked on target but it was blocked down.

Alex Nolan almost got in at the other end, but Piaia was down quick and the Brazilian stopper held a McLaughlin shot with ease as the visitors led 2-0 at the break.

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Finn Harps almost replicated their opposition in the second half as a long ball saw Mpongo get a touch ahead of Brann but the ball bounced awkwardly and the danger was cleared.

Kaedyn Kamara and a Greg Bolger effort from the halfway line didn’t faze Piaia too much and at the other end, Brann was thankful to not have to make a save as Kieran Cooney’s header went just over the bar before Lomboto dragged a shot wide of the left hand post.

McLaughlin threatened for a second as he fired wide of the far post, but he would get another after good footwork in the box from Maguire to find him and while Piaia made a good initial save, the rebound fell to substitute Bernardo Cuoto who laid it off for McLaughlin, and he made no mistake.

That was on 75 minutes and it really killed the tie as a contest, with both sides emptying their benches and the constant downpour made it hard for either team to get the ball down and create chances as the Premier Division side were full value to advance to the semi-final.

Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Mikey Place (Darragh Coyle 84), Josh Cullen, Joel Bradley Walsh (Daniel Cunningham 84), Kieran Cooney; Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee (Gavin Hodgins 80), Gavin McAteer (Aaron McLaughlin 80); Idir Zerrouk (Shaunie Bradley 67), Gradi Lomboto, Hans Mpongo.

Cork City: Conor Brann; Darragh Crowley, Freddie Anderson, Rory Feely, Matthew Kiernan (Conor Drinan 80); Alex Nolan, Kaedyn Kamara (Charlie Lyons 69), Sean Murray (Greg Bolger 45), Kitt Nelson (Bernardo Cuoto 51); Evan McLaughlin (Charlie Hanover 80); Sean Maguire.

Referee: Paul Norton.