League Report: Cork City 0- 2 Shelbourne

Shelbourne battled to a hard fought two nil victory over Cork City at a sodden Turners Cross on St Patrick’s Day thanks to an early own goal from Josh Honohan and a second half strike from Jack Moylan.

City came into the match on the back of two draws- against Shamrock and Sligo Rovers respectively- in games where they held the lead until the  dying embers. Shelbourne, for their part, held league champions Shamrock Rovers to a goalless draw at Tolka Park- their third shutout in five games.

The visitors took the lead early in the game as a right wing cross from Kian Leavy was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Honohan with just over ten minutes on the clock. Given this platform, Shelbourne were content to keep Cork City at arm's length with relentless pressing throughout, led by the industrious Gavin Molloy.

At the other end of the field their lead was extended early in the second half as Jack Moylan was given the freedom of the City penalty area to thread an effort past recent Under 21 call up Jimmy Corcoran from 15 yards.

His opposite number, Conor Kearns had a number of relatively comfortable stops but was rarely severely troubled as his defence containing ex Cork defender Shane Griffin, making his first start of the campaign, alongside the experienced skipper Luke Byrne restricted Colin Healy’s outfit to a couple of penalty shouts- Keating tumbling under contact from Kameron Ledwidge evoking appeals, the majority from the home crowd rather than the players.

As the game drifted to a close, City’s top scorer Ruairi Keating had a couple of chances as his free kick from the edge of the area was driven into the wall before Kearns spread himself to block a poked effort and earn his fourth clean sheet of the season ahead of the international break.

Cork City:Jimmy Corcoran; Darragh Crowley, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Josh Honohan; Cian Bargary (Gordon Walker 81), Barry Coffey (Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh 81), Cian Coleman, Matt Healy (Daniel Krezic 56), Ethon Varian (Tunde Owolabi 72); Ruairi Keating.

Subs not used: Aaron Mannix, John O'Donovan, Albin Winbo, Cian Murphy.

Booked: Barry Coffey (45).

Sent off: None.

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Luke Byrne, Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson, John Ross Wilson; Shane Farrell (Brian McManus 14), Kian Leavy (Kyle Robinson 65), Gavin Molloy, Jack Moylan, Matty Smith; Evan Caffrey.

Subs not used: Daithi Folan, Scott Van der Sluis, Andrew Quinn, Kameron Ledwidge, Gbemi Arubi.

Booked: Matty Smith (37), Gavin Molloy (85), Kyle Robinson (94).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Ray Matthews

extratime.com Player of the Match: Gavin Molloy