City dominated proceedings from the outset and indeed might have taken the lead in the opening minutes when George O'Callaghan had an effort cleared off the line by Aaron Smyth.

Reds 'keeper John Connolly was also called into action in a number of occasions to produce superb saves to deny O'Callaghan on two occasions later in the first half while John O'Flynn strck the outside of a post when well placed.

For Cliftonville George McMullan and Mark Holland sent shots into the side netting while Holland slipped just as he was about to meet a Chris Scannell cross.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 68 minutes when O'Flynn pounced to knock home the rebound from a Liam Kearney effort.

And Dave Mooney doubled Cork's advantage just seven minutes later with a header from a corner.