Galway United's outing at Terryland Park last night started badly and continued to slide.

They were forced to call up 19-year-old David Forde before the match even started after first-choice goalkeeper Eddie Hickey suffered an eye injury in the warmup, and they lost chief goalscorer Ollie Keogh after only nine minutes through injury.

Thanks to some luck, a save by Forde and a clearance off the line by Billy Clery, Galway's goal survived until the 30th minute, when a penalty was awarded for handball in a crowded area. Ollie Cahill converted the spot kick calmly.

Galway netted at the other end eight minutes later from an indirect free kick awarded after Cork goalkeeper Noel Mooney had taken too many steps while in possession, but referee Gerry Perry ruled that the free kick had been taken too quickly.

Cork's second goal arrived on 51 minutes when Mark Herrick found Pat Morley who scored from close range and then just a minute later Colin O'Brien beat the offside trap to score number three.

Cork's final goal came after 56 minutes when Patsy Freyne foiled Clery and then volleyed home from 20 yards.

Clery scored Galway's only goal on 58 minutes and despite Greg O'Halloran being sent off for Cork City on the hour the visitors had plenty to spare at the finish.

Galway United: Forde, Watson, Clery, Foley, Morgan, Keogh, Dolan, Sheridan, Gorman, O'Donnell, Lavine. Substitute: Cregg for Keogh (inj nine mins), Neary for Dolan (60 mins), Thornton for O'Donnel (60 mins).

Cork City: Mooney, Napier, Daly, Hill, Cronin, C O'Brien, Herrick, L O'Brien Freyne, Cahill, Morley. Substitute: O'Halloran for Napier (inj 25 mins), Caulfield for L O'Brien (78 mins).

Referee: Gerry Perry (Dublin)