Nerves of Dijksteel as Cork City edge out Finn Harps in Cup tie

When it was all said and done at Turners Cross, thanks to a goal from Malik Dijksteel, it was Cork City FC who ensured their name is in the draw for the FAI Cup Third Round on Tuesday following this win over Finn Harps.

Over the course of the last decade, FAI Cup final days at the Aviva Stadium seemed almost an annual occurrence for Cork City Football Club.

Winners of the Cup in 2016 and 2017, the primary objective for this current City side under Tim Clancy is returning to Premier Division football. The Leesiders, though, will be looking for a cup run also in 2024 and perhaps testing themselves against top flight opposition.

City, who hold a commanding 15 point advantage at the top of the First Division table, began on the front foot and controlled the opening stages.

Midway through the opening half, City went close when a Darragh Crowley cross into the box was fired wide by Cian Murphy.

Harps, last winners of the FAI Cup back in 1974, saw Success Edogun cause problems for the City defence with his pace and went close with a deflected shot from inside the penalty area.

City had a great chance to take the lead on 35 minutes, but Greg Bolger blasted over from a few yards out following a cross from Crowley.

Shortly before the half time break City took the lead. A Conor Drinan pass picked out Dijksteel, who found the bottom corner of the net with a lovely finish following a well-worked move from the home side.

The hosts looked to build on that advantage early into the second half, with Dijksteel blasting over from outside the box on 54 minutes.

Harps were pushing to keep their cup hopes alive and looked to catch City on the counter attack.

In what was a tight second half, Barry Coffey looked to add some magic into the Cork attack,