National League, Premier Division/Shelbourne - 2 Cork City - 2: With European and domestic cup action now boxed off, Cork's mission to retain their league title began in earnest last night. But it failed to ignite in the manner they would have wished in an encounter branded by some as "must win". Still, though, Damien Richardson's men gave it their all in an absorbing tie, twice going in front but ultimately having to share the prize with a Shelbourne side still smarting having surrendered that title to their opponents last season.
With a full series still to play it is, of course, too early to write off the champions, but with eight points separating them from Shelbourne it will be some ask, especially considering the Dubliners' frightening determination of late.
Not that Cork were quite rocked on their heels, but the manner in which Shelbourne started suggested the visitors could well face an arduous night. Confident and crisp with their distribution, the hosts toyed with their opponents with Joseph Ndo and Ollie Cahill particularly willing to probe when afforded space.
But for all their possession, and the teasing crosses which Cahill frequently supplied, Shelbourne failed to trouble goalkeeper Mick Devine during that dominant spell. Still, though, strikers Jason Byrne, but more so Glen Crowe, hassled a Cork defensive unit that looked less than watertight.
However, the quartet ahead of them in the midfield were far more assured and, having allowed Shelbourne dictate the opening quarter, came more to the fore. Joe Gamble - later sent off for a disputed second yellow - and Colin O'Brien were keen to stem the flow of the home side.
Indeed, the manner in which they restricted Ndo's swaggering runs afforded a platform of their own from which to build.
Cork were never likely to relinquish their title ambitions here in their fierce rivals' backyard and consequently attacked with relish once they found a footing.
With Ndo, at times, popping up in almost every position, his partner, Stuart Byrne, was left to anchor midfield alone on more than one occasion. With Gamble and O'Brien in full flow, not to mention suitable assistance by Billy Woods and Roy O'Donovan on the flanks, the Cork tide swelled deep, stunning the hosts.
And, after 20 minutes, Cork's rejuvenated approach reaped rewards. Denis Behan left Seán Dillon flatfooted when racing on to O'Brien's through ball. He then used his strength to hold off Owen Heary's late challenge before poking past goalkeeper Dean Delaney from close range.
But credit Shelbourne who fought back admirably and without hesitation. Jason Byrne had Devine scrambling after Dan Murray miscued a clearance from Ndo's ambitious effort, and soon after Alan Bennett deflected clear Ndo's shot when, perhaps, Crowe was better positioned on the overlap.
Alarmingly for Richardson - observing from the stands as he served the second of a four-match touchline ban - the steel and menace with which his players had displayed moments earlier quickly deserted them. This allowed Shelbourne's resurgence and the home side capitalised when Jason Byrne's deflected free from distance levelled the tie a minute before the break.
On the hour, Heary handled O'Donovan's in-swinging corner and the Cork man duly slotted home the penalty.
But Shelbourne peeled themselves off the floor and, with 12 minutes remaining, levelled an absorbing contest with Crowe tucking home Cahill's fizzing free from five yards.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Ryan (Moore 64), Ndo, S Byrne, Cahill; J Byrne (O'Neill half-time), Crowe.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Bennett, Murphy; O'Donovan, Gamble, O'Brien, Woods (Lordan 87); Fenn (Softic 90). Behan. Booked: Horgan (29), Gamble (43), O'Donovan (49). Sent off: Gamble (88).
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)
