| Scoreless draw in Cork sets up tense final weekend |
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| Saturday, 08 November 2008 | |
 Sligo Rovers quest for a European place goes down to the wire next weekend after a scoreless draw in Cork leaves a point between the sides going into the final game of the season.
report courtesy www.rte.ie Both these sides, who are chasing fourth spot and a European position for next season battled to a scoreless draw in very wet conditions in front of 2,464 at Turners Cross tonight. Cork remain a point in front of Sligo and it will be decided who gets the European spot next Friday night, with Cork going to champions Bohemians at Dalymount Park and Sligo at home to Bray Wanderers. Sligo nearly snatched all three points on 84 minutes, but Cork goalkeeper Mark McNulty made a great save to deny Raffael Cretaro, blocking his shot with his body. Cork went into the game in confident mood after lifting the Setanta Cup on Saturday and then winning a league match away to St Patrick's Athletic on Tuesday night. They had midfielder Darren Murphy back from suspension after missing their win at Inchicore, but the influential Joe Gamble was out as he faced a two match ban for the accumulation of penalty points. Paul Cook's Sligo side have had a fine run of results in recent weeks, after they overcame their financial difficulties in August, when they had to cut back their wage bill and raise funds to pay off existing debts. The side have gone six league games unbeaten and were undefeated since losing to champions Bohemians at the Showgrounds on 5 September, picking up fourteen points in the process and conceding just three goals as they moved to fifth in the table just a point behind Cork. It was a very wet, windy night, when a victory would have given the homeside fourth position and a place in Europe next season, a win for the visitors would have them in pole position, with a home game against Bray on the last night whilst Cork face a trip to Bohemians. Chances were at a premium in the first half, Cork's Denis Behan and Sligo's Danny Ventre went close with long range efforts going just over the crossbar. The nearest to a first half breakthrough was after half an hour, a good cross from Brian Cash found the head of defender Gavin Peers whose header from six yards was just off target. With the rain falling heavier in the second half and defences on top, it looked like we would not have a goal on the night. Alan Matthew's side who were playing their third game in six days and without Gamble's energy in midfield, were finding the Sligo back four hard to pass. Sligo were hard working in midfield where Brian Cash and Conor O'Grady were always prominent, with Romauld Boco always dangerous for the Cork back four. They almost snatched a winner with six minutes left; the ball broke to Rafael Cretaro ten yards but his shot was blocked by Cork goalkeeper Mark McNulty who spread himself to make a great save. CORK CITY: McNulty;Horgan,Murray,Sullivan,Danny Murphy;O'Connor,Darren Murphy, Kearney,Rysn;Behan,Dudfield. Substitutes; Kelly,Kiely for Dudfield 72,Cambridge for Darren Murphy (inj)80,Lordan for O'Connor 58 mins,Devine. SLIGO ROVERS: Brush;Coleman,Ventre,Peers,Almedia;Cash,O'Grady,Ryan,Doherty; Boco,Cretaro. Substitutes; McTiernan,McDaid,Curran,Feeney,Jennings. Referee: S McLean (Scotland). |
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