Sligo Rovers 0
Cork City 0
CORK CITY’S TITLE hopes received a slight hit this evening as the Leesiders were held to a goalless draw by Sligo Rovers.
City are now seven points behind league leaders Dundalk, with one game in hand on their title rivals.
Acting the bridesmaid for the last two consecutive years, City knew a victory over Sligo Rovers would be required if they were to continue to fight Dundalk in order to be the bride this year.
And Rovers’ confidence was certainly evident early on as they inflicted huge pressure on John Caulfield’s defence.
A goal-line clearance from Karl Sheppard prevented Gavin Peers from giving Sligo the lead after seven minutes. Rovers continued to work extremely hard and almost got their just rewards when Tobi Adebayo-Rowling nut-megged Kevin O’Connor, before playing in Sadlier whose cross was just too soon for the onrushing Liam Martin.
The visitors did have their chances early on, the most notable coming from Karl Sheppard whose long distance effort went wide of Ciaran Nugent’s post, before former Rovers man Seanie Maguire capitalised on Peers’ mistake, seeing his effort forced wide by Nugent in goals.
The visitors certainly looked more energetic in the second-half, and came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Garry Buckley’s free-kick smacked off the crossbar after Peers was adjudged to have fouled Bolger. The Bit o’Red did have their share of the chances, but City looked more dangerous with Stephen Dooley and Gearoid Morrissey sending efforts wide of the target.
City did have the ball in the net after 82 minutes thanks to Dave Mulcahy, but the linesman’s flag had been raised for offside.
Mark O’Sullivan was fortunate not to receive a red card late on in the game, as he barged John Russell to the ground, the two being separated following an altercation that could very well have seen O’Sullivan see more than just a yellow card.
Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Nugent, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Gary Boylan, Michael Leahy, Gavin Peers, Kieran Sadlier (Raffaele Cretaro, 64), Pat McCann (Daniel Kearns, 83), John Russell, Jimmy Keohane, Liam Martin, Achille Campion.
Subs not used: Phil Roberts, Mikey Place, Mark Hannon, Paul Doyle, Jason Hunt.
Cork City: Mark McNulty, Michael McSweeney (Dave Mulcahy, 57), Kenny Browne, Kevin O’Connor, Alan Bennett, Gearoid Morrissey (Mark O’Sullivan, 74), Greg Bolger, Stephen Dooley, Gary Buckley, Karl Sheppard (Ian Turner, 85), Sean Maguire.
Subs not used: Matthew Connor, Colin Healy, Gavan Holohan, Danny Morrissey.
Referee: Neil Doyle