O’Donovan strike keeps title in the balance

Cork City 1 Shelbourne 0

Roy O’Donovan tonight maintained his blistering end of season form to throw a spanner in Shelbourne’s ambitions as champions Cork who were determined the title wouldn’t be won on their patch.

Cork shaded the first half but chances for O’Donovan and Neale Fenn went begging.

Shels then had a right let-off within a minute of the restart. A mistake by Sean Dillon gave the ball away to Fenn and Richie Baker did well to block got shot.

O’Donovan finally broke the deadlock on 59 minutes when punishing a defensive error, galloping past Jamie Harris to fire to the net.

Cork had Joe Gamble needlessly sent off seven minutes from time for a second booking after he headed the ball away.

Shels remain three points clear with two games, and that now crucial arbitration decision, to come.