FAI Cup Second round replay/Cobh Ramblers...0 Derry City...1: A magnificent strike from 25 yards by Eamonn Doherty settled this FAI Cup second round replay in favour of the holders at St Colman's Park last night.
It was a bitter blow for the first division underdogs who were the better team for long spells. But missed chances by Ciarán Reilly and Willie Bruton frustrated the home supporters.
Cobh saw a good chance go to waste in the 29th minute when Bruton and Reilly combined before Bruton shot just over the top.
In a rare attack on the home goal, Gareth McGlynn should have done better when shooting tamely wide after Kieran Martyn sent him clear with a clever pass after 33 minutes.
With the experienced Dave Hill and the eager Dave Moore dominating midfield, the better chances were falling to Cobh - Reilly failed to connect with a loose ball on 26 minutes before Dave Moore shot wide.
Within 10 minutes of the restart Derry took the lead. There seemed no danger when Doherty picked up a throw in from Gareth McGlynn and moved forward but with the home defence slow to react he struck a left-foot shot high into the net.
But Cobh came battling back and almost grabbed an equaliser when Reilly broke clear but his shot went into the side netting. Derry should have added a second when Padraig Moran went through on goal but his finishing shot drifted wide of the target.
COBH RAMBLERS: Harrington, Wolfe, White, Hill, Murphy, Andrews, Tynan, S Yelverton, Reilly, Bruton, Moore. Subs: Buckley, Collins, Cummins, G Yelverton, Fenton.
DERRY CITY: Gough, McCallion, McCrastyle, Hutten, McLaughlin, Doherty, McGlynn, Moran, Coyle, Martyn, Friars. Subs: Deery, McCready, Ramsey, Gill.