Devine denies Baker to save Cork

Shamrock Rovers 1 Cork City 1: A WONDERFUL stoppage time save by Michael Devine deprived Shamrock Rovers of a dramatic late winner in an intriguing clash at Tolka Park.

Dessie Baker latched onto a poor clearance by Dave Mulcahy to race through and shoot with 93 minutes up, but Devine got down superbly to turn the low drive out for a corner. Cork's title aspirations were given another stern test and if Alan Mathews' side have high hopes this season, Rovers proved that their win at champions Drogheda last week was no freak result.

Missing their captain Dan Murray due to flu, Cork rejigged at the back with Mulcahy and Cillian Lordan an unlikely central defensive partnership. But it didn't affect their shape as they started positively, an incisive move resulting in Dave Mooney bringing the first save of the night from Barry Murphy. Cork drew first blood on 43 minutes after Rovers right-back Ger O'Brien was caught in possession. Joe Gamble worked a one-two with Liam Kearney to get to the end line and pull the ball back for George O'Callaghan.

Though the mercurial midfielder took an unnecessary touch, his scuffed shot nonetheless trickled over the line despite the attempts of two defenders and Murphy to keep it out.

But Rovers caught Cork cold to level within a minute. Sean O'Connor whipped over a free-kick from the right and Stephen Rice swivelled to hit the ball on the volley past Devine.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: B Murphy; G O'Brien, Maguire, Ferguson, Flynn; McGill, Rice, D O'Connor, S O'Connor (Martin, 80); Baker, A Murphy (Doyle, 56).

CORK CITY: Devine; Sullivan, Lordan, Mulcahy, Murphy; O'Callaghan, Gamble, Healy, Kearney; Behan, Mooney (O'Flynn, 90).

Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times