Shamrock Rovers 1
(Cassidy 10')
Cobh Ramblers 1
(Breen 48')

Rovers Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy, 2 Ger O'Brien, 3 Robbie Clarke, 4 Aidan Price, 5 Ray Kenny, 6 Ray Scully, 7 Jamie Duffy , 8 David Cassidy, 9 Willie Doyle, 10 Robbie Shields, 11 Dave O'Connor.

Substitutes : 13 Ian Maher (Duffy 69'), 14 Gareth Cooney (Cassidy 48'), 15 Ian Ryan, 16 Philip Sheppard (O'Connor 55'), 20 John McGuinness.

Match Report

The Hoops had to settle for a share of the spoils as a well organised Ramblers left with a deserved point. Rovers finally put some sustained pressure on the visitors defence during the last ten minutes but overall failed to control the game.

The first half started brightly for the Hoops. Shields burst forward in the 4th minute but elected to shoot when there were other options on. The 10th minute saw Rovers take the lead when Scullys ball over the defence found Cassidy and he lobbed the ball over the advancing 'keeper to score his second goal in two games. This should have settled the home side but instead Cobh gradually took control. The visitors began to win the physical battle in midfield but there play lacked any real end product.

The ball fell nicely for Shields in the 26th minute but he failed to hit the target. Three minutes later Shields was dispossessed and Cobh broke forward with their number seven just failing to connect with a good cross. In the 42nd minute Cobh broke again and this time Murphy done well to save with his feet.

The waring signs were there for Rovers and Cobh drew level just three minutes into the second period when Breen rose highest to head past Murphy from a corner. The Hoops tried hard to get into the game but their passing was off. Shields almost set up Duffy in the 51st minute but the Cobh 'keeper McCarthy advanced to save. Shields then shot over after a good turn.

The second-half was at least more entertaining than the first and Shields sent sub Sheppard in on goal in the 62nd minute but his effort beat the 'keeper and dropped just wide of the goal. Three minutes later a bouncing ball in the Cobh area was met by Kenny but the 'keeper palmed the ball away. A good free-kick by Ramblers caused problems in the home defence on 67 minutes and Rovers had a good shout for a penalty in the 74th minute when a Cobh defender seemed to block a cross with his arm.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes Robbie Shields started to get behind the Cobh defence down the right hand side. He caused all sorts of problems in the 82nd minute but Rovers couldn't capitalise. Aiden Price had to be quick to clear at the other end as hesitancy in the defence almost let Cobh in. A rash clearance from the Cobh 'keeper only went to Shields and his cross found Doyle but his goalbound shot was blocked. The final chance arrived in the 90th minute with Shields again providing the cross for Doyle to shoot but his effort was blocked and fell to Sheppard who then saw the 'keeper save his effort with his feet.