'There were bigger things than football this week' - Barry Coffey

FAI Cup first round 

Treaty United 0 Cork City 2 (Honohan 54, Owolabi 76) 

It was the Cork City striker absent from Market’s Field on Saturday who was at the centre of everyone’s thoughts.

The minute’s silence before this FAI Cup tie for Ruairí Keating’s father Ciarán, who died tragically last weekend, was immaculately observed and 90 minutes later, after progress to the second-round draw was confirmed, he was again at the forefront of his teammates’ minds.

“There were bigger things than football this week,” said Barry Coffey after assisting both goals.

“Keats is a superstar for us and his family so it was important for us. As a team, it was tough but we were all in it and that’s what we will be for the Keating family going forward.

“Hopefully this gives them a little bit of a boost, especially Keats, to see that we are winning and we always have him in our mind.” 

City took the Munster derby honours from Treaty United with second-half goals from Josh Honohan and Tunde Owolabi in a game delayed from Friday night on compassionate grounds.

“It was a very emotional week for everybody,” said City sporting director and interim manager Liam Buckley.

“I’m delighted we have got a result out of it bearing in mind what happened through the week. Especially with Ruairí. I’m sure he’s looking on and we’re all wishing him and his family well.” 

Down a striker, City lined out with a pair of no.10s behind Owolabi for the first time this season, with Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh beside Coffey.

“I terribly enjoyed it,” said Coffey. “We both like that position, playing in those half-spaces and playing off the striker, and I think that’s where both of our best strengths come from.

“Needs must sometimes, you have to play a different position