National League/Shamrock Rovers - 1 Cork City - 1: New stand-in Shamrock Rovers boss Noel Synnott had to be satisfied with a point as Cork City came from behind to earn a draw thanks to a dramatic 71st-minute equaliser by Liam Kearney at Richmond Park on Saturday.

The Hoops went close early on when central defender Terry Palmer fired just over the top from close range after midfielder Keith O'Halloran had rifled over a low free from the left.

Twice Cork went close to breaking the deadlock when, first George O'Callaghan fired over from long range, and then Neale Fenn saw his effort blocked by Jason McGuinness after a clever flick by John O'Flynn.

Rovers, however, eventually took the lead on 37 minutes after a pass from Trevor Molloy was deflected by Colin O'Brien into the path of Mark Rutherford.

The winger was able to switch the ball across the face of goal to allow O'Halloran to shoot home at the far post despite goalkeeper Michael Devine getting a hand to the ball.

New Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Russell Payne then produced a reflex save seconds before the interval to deny Kevin Doyle after an O'Callaghan free on the right.

It was all one-way traffic in Cork's favour in the second half with Fenn twice going close only to be denied by the excellence of Payne in the home goal. Then Joe Gamble shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

But all the pressure was bound to tell and Cork equalised on 71 minutes after Palmer had fouled O'Callaghan in midfield.

From the resulting free, O'Callaghan rolled the ball to Kearney and his 30-yard left-foot effort gave Payne no chance.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Payne; Gough, McGuinness, Palmer, Malone; Robinson, O'Halloran, M O'Brien, Rutherford; Molloy, Grant. Subs: D.Mooney for Robinson (51 mins); Martin for Malone (65); Caffrey for Grant (87).

CORK CITY: Devine; Lordan, C O'Brien, Murray, Murphy; Doyle, Gamble, O'Callaghan, Kearney; Fenn, O'Flynn.

Referee: David McKeon (Dublin).