- Alan Finn
- Mon, Jul 07 2014
Cork City have moved level on points with Dundalk at the top of the table following a 0-0 draw with Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds.
In an entertaining encounter, both sides had a handful of goal-scoring chances, but like in many of their games this season, Sligo goalkeeper Gary Rogers was on top of his game to deny Cork taking all three points in the dying minutes.
Rovers enjoyed much of the early proceedings, Evan McMillan coming close after 11 minutes when his header was blocked from close-range.
John Russell showed excellent strength in midfield to hold onto the ball and launch Raffaele Cretaro through, who quickly squared it to Aaron Greene to angle a shot across the face of goal.
Cork were forced into a first-half change after 33 minutes when the injured Iarfhlaith Davoren was replaced by Dave O’Leary.
The visitors did however finish the half encouragingly with Garry Buckley and Colin Healy both seeing efforts denied by Rogers.
The second-half saw an encouraging start for The Bit O’Red, Danny North in particular who picked up a deflected Aaron Greene effort and managed to wriggle his way through a host of bodies before being denied by Mark McNulty.
The striker then saw a free-kick touched onto the underside of the crossbar by McNulty and back out in to play.
David O’Leary looked destined to snatch a late winner when his strike from distance looked destined to find the top corner, but Rogers was on hand to meet it with a stunning save.
There was time for more drama in injury-time when Buckley smashed a header off the woodwork from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Evan McMillan, Kalen Spillane, Seamus Conneely; David Cawley, John Russell, John Russell, Raffaele Cretaro, Kieran Djilali; Danny North (Ruairi Keating 87).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Regan Donelon, Gavin Peers, Ross Gaynor, Paul O’Conor, Sean Maguire.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Brian Lenihan, Darren Dennehy, Dan Murray, Iarfhlaith Davoren (Dave O’Leary 33); Colin Healy, Garry Buckley, John Dunleavy, Billy Dennehy (Liam Kearney 73); Mark O’Sullivan, Cillian Morrison (John O’Flynn 46).
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien, Darren Murphy, Josh O’Shea, Rob Lehane.
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 2,000 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Evan McMillan (Sligo Rovers).
