Honours even at Tolka Park.

Shamrock Rovers 1 Cork City 1

The sides swapped goals inside a first half minute as they had to settle for a point in this intriguing clash at Tolka Park tonight.

Cork drew first blood on 43 minutes when Joe Gamble worked a one-two with Liam Kearney down the left to set up George O'Callaghan whose shot trickled over the line despite the best efforts of two defenders and keeper Barry Murphy to keep it out.

Rovers hit back within 60 seconds however to catch Cork cold.

The marking was poor from Sean O'Connor's free-kick and skipper Stephen Rice turned to volley past Mick Devine.

Dessie Baker then almost won it for Rovers deep into stoppage time, but Devine pulled off a terrific save.