Rovers and Cork City both earned a hard fought point on a very warm evening in Turners Cross. The home side had a good lively start and had an early chance when Cambridge lost his marker in the box but he headed straight at Barry Murphy.
A long throw-in by Stephen Rice in the 10th minute was headed on by Maguire to Twigg but O’Connor in the home goal was well placed to save.
On 15 minutes a rushed clearance from the Cork ‘keeper hit Twigg and but Robinson couldn’t capitalise on the mistake. Cambridge had another effort on the Hoops goal after 24 minutes but this time he dragged his shot across goal. The same player then failed to hit the target with another header on 38 minutes.
Pat Sullivan pushed forward with 5 minutes remaining to the break but O’Connor gathered the ball well under pressure from Twigg.
Kudozivic shot over the bar after turning well in the box in the first minute of the second-half. The pace of the game was raised in the second 45 minutes and Sean O’Connor ran at the Cork defence but just failed to find Twigg in the area. Dennehy tried his luck from 25 yards out but Barry Murphy held on to the ball at the second attempt.
The game was still lively although clear-cut chances were rare as the game entered the final 15 minutes. Substitute Baker fed Bradley whose run took him across the Cork area and he found Purcell inside the box who crossed to the back-post for Twigg to head on goal but O’Connor saved on his line.
A quick Baker corner on 79 minutes saw Sullivan cross deep for Twigg but he couldn’t direct his header on goal. The home side created an opening with 7 minutes remaining when Dennehy ran on to a ball in the box but Murphy bravely advanced to save with his legs.
Debutant Paddy Kavanagh took a corner on 84 minutes that was cleared to the edge of the box and Rice hit a low volley that wasn’t too far wide.
Murphy made a great intercepting tackle to deny Baker a run on goal as the Hoops finished strongly. Maguire headed a corner across goal for the impressive Sives to try an overhead kick but O’Connor gathered safely to ensure neither side left without a point.
