Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Cork City: Leesiders lose ground at top

By Daire Walsh at Tallaght Stadium

The gap between John Caulfield’s side and leaders Dundalk increased to three as Cork City failed to defeat Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght

Shamrock Rovers’ unbeaten record extended to four games, thanks to a scoreless draw against second placed Cork City at Tallaght Stadium.

The Leesiders therefore lose ground on leaders Dundalk, with the gap at the top of the table now standing at three points.

The Leesiders started proceedings in a positive fashion, but it was their goalkeeper Mark McNulty who was first forced into action on 12 minutes, when Rovers winger Dean Clarke found room to shoot from a tight left-hand angle.

Opportunities were scant during the first quarter, although Cork front man Sean Maguire struck marginally wide of the mark following excellent work on the left from Stephen Dooley.

Rovers centre back Robert Cornwall fired over from a well-directed set-piece just ten minutes prior to the interval, before the Cork duo of Maguire and Kenny Browne joined Cornwall in receiving cautions during a fiery end to the opening period.

The Hoops increased the pressure on their opponents upon the resumption, and substitute Boyd spurned a promising chance from a Simon Madden delivery in the 68th-minute.

Cork introduced Mark O’Sullivan and Danny Morrissey in an attempt to swing the outcome in their favour, but they ultimately had to settle for a frustrating share of the spoils.

Fourth placed Rovers will visit Galway United on July 1, while Cork will host Sligo Rovers on the same evening, in a bid to close the gap on leaders Dundalk.