Rovers 0 Cobh Ramblers 0

Hoops have to settle for a point...

This game took a while to get going on a dull "summer" evening in Tolka Park. Padraig Amonds hooked pass on 11 minutes saw Baker shrug off a defender to shoot under visiting 'keeper McCarthy. However Ref. McKeown ruled that Baker had pushed the defender. Sean O'Connor crossed for Amond to head towards goal on 14 minutes but the 'keeper saved.

Rovers should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when Purcell linked well with O'Brien for the Hoops full back to cross deep to Baker at the back post who had the goal at his mercy but headed against the crossbar. On 27 minutes a short corner from O'Brien to Purcell saw his low cross reach Price but his shot went narrowly wide. A minute later Sean O'Connor fed Baker and his cross saw Amond head straight at the 'keeper.

The visitors were coming into the game and Murphy had to be alert to snuff out the danger as Carey threatened on 29 minutes. Just three minutes later another good Cobh corner was cleared off the line by Amonds fine over-head kick. On 38 minutes Carey got behind the defence but Murphy again was quick off his line to block.

The second-half was six minutes old when Cobh's O'Reilly found himself clear in front of goal and only Prices fabulous tackle denied the striker a shot on goal. Maguires cross on 60 minutes saw Amond make contact but the ball went over. There was a fine welcome for a famous Hoops name as Mark Leech made his debut on 65 minutes after his move from Galway.

A Baker corner on 67 minutes was met by Maguire and the 'keeper spilled the ball and Leech almost made contact in front of goal. On 71 minutes a deep cross from Baker saw Leech stretch to meet the ball but he couldn't direct his header on goal.

As the game entered the last two minutes Aiden Price won a header inside the Cobh half and unleashed a blistering effort that saw McCarthy struggle to parry the ball and Guthrie was on hand to complete the clearance. Sean O'Connor almost played Purcell in on goal a minute later but McCarthy advanced to claim the ball. O'Brien forced McCarthy to tip away his cross deep into injury time but Rovers couldn't take advantage of the resultant corner.