City’s second-half surge shatters Rovers

Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0

Cork took inspiration from a goal by Kevin Doyle following a penalty kick in the 61st minute to inject energy and initiative into their play that had been sadly lacking before then.

They gave an overworked Rovers’ defence a torrid time with the athletic Doyle setting the standard at centre-forward and Liam Kearney, Billy Woods, George O’Callaghan and substitute Denis Behan responding well.

What a contrast between their football in that period and their earlier approach.

Suddenly there was a drive and a determination in Cork’s attacking play that put Rovers’ defenders under pressure whenever they were in possession. Their movement and increased level of industry paid handsome dividends in the form of scoring chances and they would have won much more convincingly had their finishes matched their approach work.

This was in total contrast to what had occurred earlier. Cork were unable to find a chink in Rovers’ heavily fortified defence in an opening 45 minutes that were best forgotten.

Rovers had Paul Caffrey playing deep as protection for the two centre-backs and left Trevor Molloy on his own in a forward role.

Cork did not pass the ball well enough to get through the congested Rovers’ midfield and too often for their own good did they resort to playing the ball long for Kevin Doyle and John O’Flynn.

Rovers showed little interest in breaking out of their defensive formation and they were facilitated in their spoiling tactics by an indulgent referee who lacked authority as a result. The entire unsatisfactory first- half was too often interrupted by petty fouls to offer anything in the way of acceptable entertainment.

Clearly Rovers’ lowly League position influenced their approach but when Cork pulled all 11 players behind the ball to defend a free for Rovers from near halfway five minutes into the second-half, one wondered whether concentrated defence was the new fashion.

The goal changed Cork’s display.

Their football had been fragmented for almost an hour but suddenly there was more movement off the ball, more work in support of the front-runners and as they began to pass the ball, so Rovers came under increasing pressure.

The goal came in the 61st minute and it reflected the improvement in Cork’s approach.

Danny Murphy fired a clearance at John O’Flynn and he turned the ball with his chest into the path of Kevin Doyle on the left wing.

When he drove into the penalty area and stepped wide of Keith Doyle’s tackle the Rovers’ defence was forced to bring him down.

O’Flynn drove the penalty against the butt of an upright but when the ball rebounded into the heart of the penalty area, Kevin Doyle reacted with impressive sharpness to steer it past goalkeeper Russell Payne with his instep.

The introduction of Denis Behan for a subdued O’Flynn helped Cork’s efficiency and they began to play with growing confidence and ambition.

Liam Kearney had a shot that dropped on the top of the net and Kevin Doyle deflected one over the bar from less than six yards as Cork finally showed their class to run out deserving winners.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; Woods, CT O’Brien (O'Callaghan 18), Gamble, Kearney; Doyle, O’Flynn.

SHAMROCK ROVERS (4-5-1): Payne; Gough, Palmer, Doyle, Malone; Robinson (Cousins 87), O’Brien, Caffrey (Mooney 65), Rutherford, Grant (O’Halloran 55); Molloy.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).