The clash between Cork City and Finn Harps in the FAI Cup was an intense encounter, marked predominantly by Cork City's early goal and a high number of disciplinary actions. The decisive moment came early in the first half, with Cork City's lone goal scored at 00:39:20. This early lead set the tone for Cork City's defensive strategy throughout the game. Notably, their disciplined defensive unit minimized Finn Harps' attacking opportunities, allowing only two corner kicks compared to Cork City's seven.

A major influence on the match was the high number of yellow cards, particularly for Cork City, accumulating five bookings. This high tally indicated a highly physical game and a defensive approach by Cork City to maintain their slim lead. Despite their aggressive tactics, Cork City managed to avoid any red cards, which was crucial in maintaining their numerical advantage on the pitch. In contrast, Finn Harps received two yellow cards, showcasing their attempts to match Cork City's physicality but ultimately failing to break down the home team's resolute defense.

Teamwork was displayed prominently in Cork City's ability to keep Finn Harps at bay despite significant yellow card pressure. Cork City's effective use of substitutions didn’t just add fresh legs but also showcased their depth in maintaining the defensive structure. The lack of goals from Finn Harps indicates a deficiency in clinical finishing and perhaps a lack of creativity to carve open Cork City's disciplined backline. Finn Harps showed effort but lacked the necessary incisiveness to breach their opponent's defense.

In summary, Cork City's early goal and robust, though foul-heavy, defensive maneuvering were pivotal in securing their victory. Their ability to execute a game plan that absorbed pressure yet prevented red cards, coupled with their efficiency in converting their corner kicks to scoring opportunities, demonstrated superior match management. Finn Harps need to review their attacking strategies as their inability to convert possession and limited set-pieces into goals was their undoing in this tightly contested match.

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