A second-half tour de force from Shelbourne ensured a deserved win at Tolka Park last night. The interval pep talk had the desired effect, as the home side's brand of football was light years ahead of what they had offered to that point. Cork, in contrast, rarely lifted their game above the mundane, even allowing for a late strike by midfielder Alan Bennett.

The opening 45 minutes saw both sides guilty of the long driven ball, hit more in hope than genuine expectation. It made for a fractured match, with possession tossed away far too cheaply and defenders afforded too much time.

Shelbourne played with Stephen Geoghegan through the middle and the lively Wes Houlihan on the right, but the pair were largely outmuscled and their willing legwork was further undermined by a poor delivery. It was a similar situation at the far end, with Cork's James Mulligan having to chase far too many misdirected passes.

The only goalmouth action of note was when Declan Daly's cushioned header to goalkeeper Noel Mooney went awry, but Derek Coughlan scrambled the ball to safety.

Jim Crawford had a great chance just after the interval following Jim Gannon's well-flighted pass but, off balance, the ball sliced wide off his left foot.

Shelbourne's build-up was more patient and better use of their flanks yielded a couple of half chances before Pat Fenlon, playing on the left wing, struck on 57 minutes.

A flowing move down the right culminated in a cross flicked on by Geoghegan and Fenlon's beautifully judged right-foot half volley from eight yards gave Mooney no chance.

Crawford was becoming the game's most influential player and his vision and tenacity provided most of Shelbourne's better moments.

It was Crawford who again unlocked Cork, beating two players en route to the endline and his measured cross was controlled and then finished coolly by Houlihan from seven yards.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Doherty, McCarthy, Hutton; Fenlon, Gannon, Crawford, Houlihan, Geoghegan, Byrne.

CORK CITY: Mooney; Carey, Daly, Coughlan, Horgan; Flanagan, Bennett, Buckley, Cahill, Hartigan, Mulligan. Subs: CP O'Brien for Hartigan (68 mins); D O'Rourke for Buckley (73 mins); P Morley for Mulligan (81mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).