Updated at 10.37
Cork City 3
Shamrock Rovers 0
CORK CITY LEFT it late to secure victory, but they were fully deserving of the three points against Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross, closing Dundalk’s lead to seven points with a game in hand.
Having enjoyed a 5-0 win over the Hoops in last week’s FAI Cup quarter-final in Tallaght, City might have felt that something similar was in store when Seán Maguire opened the scoring inside seven minutes, seizing on a Seán Heaney slip and running at the Rovers defence before sliding home a low shot off the post.
The rest of the first half was frustrating for City, though they didn’t really look like conceding either, with Rovers struggling to offer much in attack — James Doona produced their best effort.
City upped the tempo on the resumption, and just after the hour mark, it looked like Karl Sheppard had doubled the lead with a lovely volley from Kevin O’Connor’s free kick, but he was offside.
Rovers defenders Robert Cornwall and Heaney both made heroic blocks to deny Seán Maguire and Garry Buckley respectively, while Stephen Dooley also went close, with Barry Murphy saving his effort.
Gary Shaw and Killian Brennan, both on as subs for Rovers, had half-chances to level, but City got their second goal when Dooley was fouled by Shane Hanney and Bolger sent his penalty to the top corner. A gloss was put on the win when Garry Buckley produced a great 25-yard finish.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Steven Beattie, Alan Bennett, Kenny Browne, Kevin O’Connor; Gearóid Morrissey, Greg Bolger; Karl Sheppard (Danny Morrissey 84), Garry Buckley, Stephen Dooley (Chiedozie Ogbene 90); Seán Maguire (Mark O’Sullivan 84).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Barry Murphy; Shane Hanney, Robert Cornwall, Seán Heaney, Trevor Clarke; David Webster, Stephen McPhail; Simon Madden (Gary Shaw 78), James Doona (Killian Brennan 65), Dean Clarke; Aaron Dobbs.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
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