Damien Duff plays cameo role as Cork City title hopes fade

Shamorck Rovers 3 Cork City 0: Damien Duff finally made his League of Ireland debut last night, coming on in the dying moments in Tallaght immediately after a third Shamrock Rovers goal had ensured the comprehensive victory which boosts the Hoops European dreams while leaving Cork City’s title aspirations hanging by the slenderest of threads.

The brief, almost ceremonial, appearance of the Irish football legend, was the icing on the cake for Pat Fenlon’s side who, always passing with more precision and penetration than their opponents, were thoroughly in control for much of the game, as a well below par City slumped to a second defeat in succession.

After the game, Cork City manager John Caulfield conceded that Dundalk now look set fair to claim back to back titles.