City players under fire as Rovers rule

Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Goals either side of half-time from James Chambers and Ronan Finn sent the Hoops to within three points of fourth-placed Dundalk, but the real talking point was City’s complete lack of attacking intent as they now nervously peek down the table.

As it stands, with only one game to go before the mid-season interval, they are just three points off second from bottom UCD, and with the pressure from a dissatisfied support increasing, Dunne was left to ponder if some players are just happy to be picking up their wages every week.

“There’s no fight there. It’s always too little, too late. We need to show a bit of character.

“Maybe it’s too easy for some of them now, because they’re guaranteed their few bob each week,” he said.

“They have to be willing to work for it. We’re going back into our shell, not coming out and showing any character.”

In saying that, he was willing to take the blame too. After all, if commitment is the issue, it’s the manager’s job to motivate.

“I will take full responsibility,” he added. “The buck stops with me. When supporters start questioning your commitment you can either prove them right or wrong.”

To compound matters, their best striker, Daryl Kavanagh, was sat in the stands after an apparent dressing room rift, with Dunne confirming he wasn’t injured.

Therefore the onus was on Danny Furlong to lead the way up top, and he ended up being totally ineffective, though the service provided to him was scant at best.

It was actually quite a surprise that it took Rovers so long to break the deadlock.

Nonetheless, it was worth waiting for as four minutes before the break Chambers, with his back to goal, was allowed time and space to chest the ball down before swivelling and stitching it to the bottom right corner.

It was no more than Rovers deserved and only for a good performance by stand-in City keeper Kevin Burns, they would have been ahead much earlier.

With usual number one Mark McNulty suspended, Burns produced several stunning saves.

Only 50 seconds of the second period had elapsed before Rovers doubled their advantage, and although the goal was only allowed to happen after Garry Buckley failed to clear his lines, it was another finish to savour.

Chambers played a neat lay-off to Finn who, 25 yards out from goal, delightfully swung the ball in off apost.

Danny Morrissey did liven things up a bit when he was introduced, but City were always second best.

It took them over an hour to win a corner, never mind register an attempt on goal.

You could also forgive Richard Brush for his mistake in the run up to Shane Duggan’s late strike, such was the infrequency the Rovers keeper was called into action. He rushed off his line in an attempt to clear, but the ball fell kindly to Duggan, who skilfully lifted it over him and into the net.

It gave Rovers three minutes to sweat but, deservedly, they kept a late City charge at bay.

CORK CITY: Burns; Horgan, Dennehy, Buckley (D Murray 52), Murphy; Turner (D Morrissey 52), G Morrissey, Duggan, Dunleavy, D Horgan (Kenny 65); Furlong.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Brush; McCormack, Oman, Foran, Powell; O’Connor, Chambers, Robinson, Finn, Dennehy; Sheppard (Kilduff 82).

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).