Rovers 2 Cork City 0

******* Eircom League Premier Division *******
Shamrock Rovers 2
Ferguson 19' Rowe 59'

Cork City 0

Tolka Park - Tuesday 29th May 2007

Another committed display from the Hoops brought another victory over a Cork City side with title aspirations. On a calm and dry night it took a while for this game to come to life although Ger O'Brien was alert to clear a header off the line from a corner in the 10th minute.

With the descending sun shining directly into Devines eyes it was vital that Rovers tested him with some quality crosses and Rovers first real attack in the 19th minute saw Cassidy whip in a cross from a free-kick and Ferguson rose highest to head home. The visitors were finding it difficult to get into their stride as the Hoops never let them settle. It wasn't until the 31st minute that the Hoops defence were put under any real pressure with Kearneys shot easily saved by Murphy.

On 38 minutes the ball broke nicely for Cassidy and his deep cross found Rowe at the back post but he couldn't direct his header on goal. Murphy was quick off his line to cut out a cross before Softic had a goalbound effort blocked in the box after 43 minutes. Great work from Dave O'Connor down the left saw a fine cross that Murray cleared but the ball deflected off the in rushing Purcell but went over. Purcell nodded a good ball to Rowe right on the whistle but a defender got across to clear. For all Corks possession in the opening half they couldn't find a way around the Hoops rearguard.

Cork again saw lots of the ball in the opening 10 minutes of the second half but their only dangerous moment came when Ferguson blocked a shot in the box. Rovers then showed what they could do going forward with Purcell turning well and seeing his shot deflected for a corner. Purcell then headed Cassidys corner on to Dave O'Connor but from six yards out he couldn't direct the header on goal.

In the 58th minute another Cassidy corner found Rowe and again his header found Dave O'Connor unmarked in the area and this time it took a fine reflex save from Devine to deny the Hoops. But the resultant corner fell to Rowe just inside the area and his sweet volley hit the top corner of the net to double the Hoops lead.

The visitors pushed men forward and Murphy did well to hold a header on his goal line as O'Donovan pounced. Murphy then made a good catch at the second attempt after 67 minutes. On 72 minutes a shot across goal saw O'Flynn stretch but fail to make contact and O'Flynn himself then dragged a shot across goal and wide just two minutes later.

The Hoops were content to play on the break and soak up whatever the visitors could muster. O'Donovan turned well but shot straight at Murphy with 15 minutes to go. A Cassidy free-kick went just over the bar on 81 minutes and Corks last chance to get into the game fell to substitute Behan on 83 minutes but he shot wide when well placed at the back post.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Derek Pender
4 Aiden Price
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Danny O'Corner
7 Dave Cassidy
8 Ian Ryan
9 Tadhg Purcell
10 Ger Rowe
11 Dave O'Connor


Substitutes :

13 Jamie Duffy
14 Tommy Barrett
15 Dean Lawrence
16 Stephen O'Brien 17 Andy Myler for Purcell 77'