- Alan Finn
- Tue, Oct 01 2013
Sligo Rovers hopes of retaining the Airtricity Premier Division title suffered a setback on Monday evening as they were held to a 0-0 draw at The Showgrounds by Cork City.
The Bit O’Red had the majority of their chances, Jeff Henderson going closest with a couple of efforts, but could not find a way past Mark McNulty for the first time this season.
Rovers showed a sign of intent after just three minutes when some good build-up play finished with Kieran Djilali’s low effort from the edge of the box forcing Mark McNulty into action.
The visitors struggled to find a way past the Sligo rearguard in the early stages of the game, but almost scored with a slice of luck in 24th minute when a scuffed Ciaran Kilduff shot was met by the head of Daryl Horgan, guiding it narrowly wide of goal.
Djilali turned provider moments later when he picked out Jeff Henderson with a corner who headed just wide.
Incredibly, Rovers failed to open the scoring ten minutes before the break when Iarfhlaith Davoren squared a ball for David McMillan who, albeit under pressure from McNulty, somehow could not turn his effort into the back of the net just a couple of yards from goal, sliding it inches wide of the target.
Henderson went agonisingly close again five minutes into the second half, this time wrapping his foot around a ball in from Djilali only to be denied by McNulty reacting quickly to tip it over the bar.
With just over half an hour to go Cork suffered a major injury blow when in-form striker Danny Morrissey had to be stretchered off following a collision with Rovers ‘keeper Gary Rogers.
After largely quiet 75 minutes from the striker, Ciaran Kilduff had the Leesiders best opportunity of the game when he got in behind the defence, but could not beat Rogers one-on-one.
Moments later Djilali set-up David McMillan for an angled shot from the edge of the box, forcing McNulty into a diving save.
Rovers continued to press for a late winner, but they simply could not the back of the net on an ultimately frustrating night.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Evan McMillan (Danny Ventre, 67), Jeff Henderson, Iarfhlaith Davoren; David Cawley (Raffaele Cretaro, 70), Seamus Conneely, Joseph Ndo, Kieran Djilali, Aaron Greene; David McMillan (Danny North, 79).
Subs not used: Matt Gledhill, Pascal Millien, Lee Lynch, Anthony Elding.
Booked: E McMillan (32), Cretaro (74), Greene (90+4).
Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Kavanagh, Dan Murray, Garry Buckley, Danny Murphy; Colin Healy, Shane Duggan, Gearoid Morrisey, Daryl Horgan; Danny Morrissey (John Dunleavy, 58), Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Kevin Burns, Ian Turner, Brian Lenihan, Rob Lehane, Kalen Spillane, Stephen Kenny.
Booked: None.
Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
Attendance:
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jeff Henderson (Sligo Rovers).
