Shels strike late to deny City

Cork City1 Shelbourne1

Cork threatened to upset Shelbourne's serene run to the title when they took a 13th minute lead goal to spark off a performance of real merit.

They went desperately close to defying Shelbourne's comeback with attractive and progressive football but a draw was the right result as Shels showed their undoubted class in the second half.

Cork were delighted to announce that their skilful striker George O'Callaghan had agreed an extension to his contract that would keep him with the club until the end of season 2005.

But his absence, through suspension, and that of his injured partner John O'Flynn obliged Cork to turn to the youthful Denis Behan and Kevin Doyle in search of the requisite penetration up front and they did not disappoint.

They were bright and inventive in their work and their 'can do' attitude set the mood and the tone of Cork's lively first half performance.

Doyle at centre-forward showed he is clearly more comfortable in a central role than on the flank. And Behan showed the rich promise that marked his huge impact in Cork's national league victory at U21 level last season.

His sense of awareness means he is capable of looking beyond the nearest colleague with his passes and his ability to link the play together and bring others into the game marks him out as a special talent.

There is the added bonus that he is calm in possession and sturdy in physique and he is unquestionably a player for the future.

Still, Cork needed a bizarre stroke of good luck for their opening goal after just 13 minutes. Shels' centre-back Kevin Doherty somehow mishit an attempted clearance following a careless throw-in from near the corner flag by O'Brien.

Liam Kearney's razor-sharp reaction was in keeping with the rhythm in Cork's play for he simply volleyed the ball home from 16 yards with the minimum of fuss and the maximum efficiency. Keeper Steve Williams had no time to move.

Kearney enjoyed a marvellous contest with Wesley Hoolahan on Shels' right flank and both players showed why they have accumulated so many international caps at under-age level.

They were polished in technique, quick and elusive in their movement and their head-to-head was one of the most enjoyable features of the game.

Shels struggled to match Cork in midfield and they failed to hit a tempo in consequence. Yet the energetic Jason Byrne lost several equalising chances, most obviously when he drove wide after Derek Coughlan had mistimed his jump to meet a high clearance within minutes of the score.

Even more surprising was his failure to capitalise on a good run by Ollie Cahill that took him away from O'Brien early in the second half.

Jamie Harris ran on to Cahill's pass, whipped the ball across the penalty area and then saw Byrne turn it wide with only the keeper to beat.

Cork should have been two in front long before then and they were unlucky when Dan Murray flattened a header against the crossbar in the 25th minute. The opportunity came his way when Kearney hit a glorious free from the left and the pace on the ball meant that Murray's header carried real menace. It spun over off the bar.

Shels showed real patience and persistence in their second-half comeback and their constructive football meant that Cork were forced into deep defence for long periods.

Cork resisted manfully but they were finally undone by an exquisite goal in the 89th minute.

Cahill's glorious cross from the left was met with real authority by Jamie Harris for a header from six yards that gave Shels the draw they deserved.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Devine; Horgan, Coughlan, D Murray, Woods; C T O'Brien, K Murray (Bennett 67), O'Halloran, Kearney; Doyle, Behan (Casey 85).

SHELBOURNE (4-4-2): Williams; Heary, McCarthy, Doherty (Geoghegan 85), Rogers; Hoolahan (R. Baker 71), S Byrne, Crawford (Morgan 77), Cahill; J Byrne, Harris.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).