Sport

Rovers making the right moves

Shamrock Rovers 2 Cork City 0: Pat Scully is not a man to romanticise the extent of his club's revival

Paul O'Hehir at Tolka Park
Wed May 30 2007 - 01:00

Shamrock Rovers 2 Cork City 0:Pat Scully is not a man to romanticise the extent of his club's revival. He adopts a firm "work done, plenty more to do" mentality.

But whatever about the manager, Shamrock Rovers supporters can be forgiven a second peep at the league table this morning.

Although well off the pace set by St Patrick's Athletic, fourth-placed Rovers are within touching distance of Drogheda and Bohemians. Having journeyed through the first division wilderness last season the Dubliners are protecting their station, with nothing fluky about this win.

Despite that, neither side settled well, with wayward distribution setting the tone for a disappointing opening half. The visitors, who were flat throughout, shaded possession early on but despite early domination in midfield they found Rovers difficult to penetrate. That said, returning Irish international Joe Gamble took responsibility, spraying the ball impressively and always looking for an opening. Rovers quickly snuffed out the challenge of Gamble's intended targets, Roy O'Donovan and John O'Flynn, neither of whom were on form.

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Initially, the hosts spent more time than they would have liked containing but they still troubled Cork when afforded room to explore. Their opening goal after 19 minutes, when Barry Ferguson headed home David Cassidy's free in a crowded box, came against the run of play but they improved thereafter.

But as creditable as that turnabout was, Rovers rarely looked like testing Michael Devine again before the break. They were a different team after the restart. Creative and cunning they laid siege on their opponents. Cork were devoid of ideas on how to contain a side now in full flight.

Cassidy and Dave O'Connor went close with headers. That pressure was rewarded on 58 minutes. Cassidy's corner, his third in quick succession, was cleared but only as far as Ger Rowe who thundered a shot high into the net.

O'Donovan squandered two chances late on but by that stage Cork were longing for the whistle.

SHAMROCK ROVERS:Murphy; O'Brien, Ferguson, Price, Pender; Cassidy, Danny O'Connor, Ryan, Davey O'Connor; Rowe, Purcell (Myler, 77 mins).

CORK CITY:Devine; Horgan, O'Callaghan (Kelly, 61 mins), Murray, Ryan; Lordan (Behan, 76 mins), Gamble, Softic (Murphy, 61 mins), Kearney; O'Donovan, O'Flynn.

Referee:P Tuite (Dublin).