Dogged City hold out against Rovers
U19 SOCCER
SHAMROCK ROVERS……………………………………. 1
CORK CITY…………………………………………………. 1
TEN-MAN Cork City produced a dogged display at the Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon to earn a share of the spoils with Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity National U19 League (Southern Division), writes DAIRE WALSH.
City front man Connor Ellis had opened the scoring after seven minutes of the action, but even though Rovers responded to the 38th-minute dismissal of George Gill with a second period equaliser by Sean Boyd, Stephen Bermingham’s charges held out for a valuable point.
City had eight wins from as many outings to date in the league (Rovers lost their most recent encounter away to Waterford United), and during a bright start to the play, William Cronin and Aaron Drinan combined superbly for Ellis’ breakthrough goal. Cronin set Drinan free on the right, and although his first attempt at a cross was blocked by the Rovers defence, Drinan’s strike-partner Ellis was on hand to turn home his second delivery.
This was an ideal opening for City, and after linking up brilliantly with Ellis from their subsequent attack, left-winger Chiedozie Ogbene had a firm drive cleared off the line. Cork were controlling the tempo at this point, but a heavy downpour of rain for the remainder of the first-quarter meant that they struggled to build momentum against the Hoops.
The Metropolitans also found it difficult in the tricky conditions, but after producing a fine save from the lively James Doona in the 10th minute, Cork custodian David Coffey also turned away efforts by Doona and Richard Purdy.
However, Cork received a major set-back when midfielder Gill was shown a straight red-card for a late tackle on Rovers winger Boyd.
Another excellent Coffey stop from Aaron Hobbs helped City to establish a 1-0 interval lead, though, and the introduction of Pierce Phillips for Drinan just before the break offered them a more orthodox balance in midfield.
Rovers striker Dobbs did turn over an enticing Jamie Wilson cross five minutes after the restart, but Ellis kept his opposite number – Mikey Quinn – on his toes with a similar attempt.
City generally coped well with their numerical disadvantage, but with 25 minutes remaining in the tie, Rovers finally restored parity. Purdy’s left-footed set-piece deliveries were providing the home team with a strong outlet, and Boyd rose highest to divert his corner from the right-hand side past Coffey.
Rovers now hoped to swing the pendulum their way, and following an acrobatic save by Coffey from Doona, the rangy Boyd hit the frame of the post from a 77th-minute free-kick. City largely restricted the Hoops attack in the closing moments, however, and they remain at the summit of the table.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mikey Quinn; Jamie Wilson, Darragh Gibbons, Gavin Kearney, Conor Gleeson; Eoghan Morgan, Shane Hanney (Eoin Stokes 57), Richard Purdy; Sean Boyd, Aaron Dobbs (Dean Kivlehan 74), James Doona (Jamie Hamilton 87).
CORK CITY: David Coffey; Kevin Taylor, Conor McCarthy, Cian Coleman, Garan Manley; William Cronin, George Gill, Daire O’Riordan, Chiedozie Ogbene; Connor Ellis, Aaron Drinan (Pierce Phillips 45).