THE Major Sunday leaders travelled to Blanchardstown to play Corduff in the FAI Junior Cup fourth round and returned victorious thanks to a single goal by Stephen Cummins.

Corduff are in the Premier A in the AUL and had knocked out the favourites Sherriff YC in the previous round, so went into this tie as warm favourites.

In a scrappy and closely fought affair it was hardly surprising that both sides drew a blank in the opening 45 minutes.

However, the breakthrough came shortly after the restart when Colm Bell ran down the left flank and squared for Cummins to side-foot home the decisive score.

'I think overall we deserved to win. We did not play brilliantly but it was a battle and we stood up to them,' said Ports manager, Mike Early, who added: 'It was always going to be won by a single goal.'

The win means Ports go on to play Crettyard in Carlow on Valentine's Day and Early admitted he did not know much about them.

Crettyard are in the Carlow District league and had someone watching Portmarnock play against Corduff, so they will certainly be up for the clash.

Portmarnock, previous winners of the FAI, would be delighted to have a good run again, though Early was quick to point out: 'Our run in the FAI cup is only a bonus as our main priority this season is to gain promotion to Intermediate football.'