City hold out to the end to ensure they get a respectable draw with the Champions-Elect as in fact, my prediction in the preview of this game proved to be right!
Goal Scorers
Cork City: Darragh Crowley (90+1)
Shamrock Rovers: Cory O’Sullivan (69)
Match Review:
Coming into this game, a result was always going to be tough for the home side but their defensive tatics proved to hold out to get a draw with the Hoops who brought a respectably travelling following. Official attendance at the Cross was 2,726.
From early on in the game, Mathew Kiernan and Freddie Anderson impressed me in defence for City. Even when Rovers pressed on City’s front defence, players like Rory Gaffeney couldnt get passed Conor Brann who made several effective saves throughout the game for City. While Shamrock Rovers had most of the ball in the first half,which City handled well, on the 25th minute Alex Nolan had an impressive go from distance but Shamrock Rovers keeper Ed Mcginty comfortably managed it. Rory Feely also played well in City’s backline.
On the 69th minute of the game, the away fans erupted as Cory O’Sullivan finished into the left corner impressively of Conor Brann’s posts. Both sides had several chances in the second half and dealt well with these. On the 91st minute,Darragh Crowley got the ball into the top hand right corner in spectacular fashion as City really threw everything at Shamrock Rovers to get a result. This isnt the first handy goal, Crowley has scored against the Tallaght outfit! It is though, Crowley’s first goal for City this season. Fire power proved to be the factor in City matching Shamrock’s class.
It seemed there was nothing lost and nothing gained for City tonight. The players showed passion, desire and the fight needed to stay up as the side did extremely well to get a point from the top side in the League of Ireland. City still sit 8 points below Sligo Rovers after Sligo Rovers also drew with Drogheda United tonight. City will get a taste off their FAI cup semi final opponents when they face St Pats away Monday night in the league. Shamrock Rovers face another Munster side Monday as they face Waterford. They will shortly compete in European competition. Overall at Leeside, In my opinion,Ger Nash will be happy with the point,his side achieved at Turners Cross tonight. A result for City would be huge Monday night as Sligo and Galway face off in a Western Derby on the same night. Shamrock Rovers, on the other hand,are seven points at the top of the table and only a stride from glory this season.