Shamrock Rovers 3
Cork City 1
Aaron Gallagher reports from Tallaght Stadium
CORK CITY WILL have to bide their time before they can officially declare themselves 2017 SSE Airtricity League title-holders, as the champions-elect fell 3-1 to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
Were John Caulfield’s side to have beaten the Hoops and second-placed Dundalk to have fallen to St Pat’s in Oriel Park, Cork would have mathematically secured the Premier Division following a season in which they have led from start to finish.
But the night was all about Rovers who, having beaten City in their EA Sports Cup semi-final meeting three weeks ago, have gone on to secure six wins on the bounce in all competitions, inflicting just a third league defeat on the table toppers.
Goals from Ronan Finn and Brandon Miele gave the Hoops a 2-0 platform heading into the break, with Gearoid Morrissey ensuring the final 20 minutes offered at least the hope of a comeback for the visitors, before substitute Michael O’Connor bagged a third with five minutes left.
There has been no love lost between rival managers Caulfield and Stephen Bradley this campaign.
Further fuel was added to a fire that has been brewing between the pair all season, with the City boss expressing his displeasure at player “gamesmanship” and “players who pretend to be hard” in the buildup to the game.
However it was his opposite number who enjoyed an incredible start to their much-anticipated meeting in Dublin, as Rovers took a 2-0 lead after just 20 minutes during a manic seven minute spell.
A desperate City midfield offered no cover to the centre back pairing of captain Alan Bennett and Ryan Delaney, with two strikes from distance in quick succession all but ending the game as a contest before it even began.
Rovers captain Finn was fortunate to see his left-footed strike from 20 yards take a fortunate deflection before beating goalkeeper Mark McNulty to make it 1-0 after 13 minutes.
His side doubled their lead shortly after when Trevor Clarke went on a dangerous darting run along the left wing, before being dispossessed on the outskirts of the penalty area.
The ball fell to team-mate Miele who, cutting inside smartly, curled a brilliant effort into goalkeeper McNulty’s bottom corner, with Rovers maintaining a firm grip on their lead until the half-time interval as home supporters reeled away in continued delight.
This was the third and final time the side’s would meet in the Premier Division this season, with both sets of managers’ comments aimed at one another throughout the season only adding to an odd sense of rivalry brimming between the opposing sets of supporters inside Tallaght Stadium.
Cork returned after the break with more focus but, as in other games following the departure of star striker Sean Maguire to Preston at the end of July, failed to create goal-scoring opportunities to test Tomer Chencinski in goal.
Miele came closest to adding another and doubling his own goal tally for the hosts, but McNulty stood firm to get down low and save at his near post, maintaining his side’s slim chances of producing a late comeback.
That spark of hope proved intriguing as City pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining.
Morrissey made it 2-1 when Shane Griffin’s corner found the midfielder unmarked inside the box before smashing a low effort past Chencinski.
Rovers had produced their own double inside the same time limit, and the visitors sensed that with time on their side there remained enough in the game to grab a late, great leveller.
But it proved not to be as Rovers inflicted a second defeat on City in under a month with a third and fatal goal with five minutes remaining.
Captain Finn ran to the byline before squaring a cross directed towards substitute Michael O’Connor, who gleefully knocked the chance past McNulty to make it 3-1 and wrap up the win.
Caulfield’s side have now suffered two league defeats in five, meaning his side will have to wait at least another two rounds of fixtures, while counting on Dundalk to drop points, before they can claim the title.
Rovers, meanwhile, continue their quest to secure European football next season, with three more points against the league leaders reaffirming their hold on third spot in the Premier Division.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Tomer Chencinski, Simon Madden, Lee Grace, David McAllister, Trevor Clarke, Roberto Lopes, Aaron Bolger (Sam Bone 72), Ryan Connolly, Ronan Finn, Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw (Michael O’Connor 76)
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty, Steven Beattie (Achille Campion 65), Alan Bennett (Robbie Williams 46), Ryan Delaney, Shane Griffin, Conor McCormack (Conor Ellis 46), Gary Buckley, Gearoid Morrissey, Jimmy Keohane, Kieran Sadlier, Karl Sheppard
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
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