The only goal of the game came eight minutes before half-time when Billy Dennehy sidefooted Davin O’Neill’s centre back across goal where midfielder Joe Gamble arrived to tap home.

Cork might have added to their lead on 52 minutes, but O’Neill’s header from Dennehy’s cross came back off a post.

Cliftonville then almost levelled from their best chance of the match three minutes later - Ciaran Caldwell’s half volley hitting the angle of the crossbar and post.