Shelbourne's title defence continues to stutter as Ali Coote saves draw against Cork City in Premier Division clash

The Irish Sun

a day ago

SHELBOURNE'S title defence continues to flounder despite an Ali Coote moment of magic that grabbed a point against Cork City.
The relegation-threatened Leesiders were dominant for long spells until Seáni Maguire found the net before the hour mark.
2
Seani Maguire put Cork City in frotn against Shelbourne
Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
2
Damien Duff's team were saved by Ali Coote
Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
But City have not beaten Shels since 2013 and have not kept a clean sheet all season — and those records
remain
after Coote's sublime finish in front of 2,821 fans at Turner's Cross.
Shels move up a spot to fifth for the mid-season break. Ninth-placed City edge a point above bottom side
Sligo
Rovers after ending a run of four straight defeats.
Ger Nash's programme notes declared
the City
hotseat as 'the biggest job in the League of Ireland' ahead of his first home game in charge.
The 38-year-old welcomed back Maguire for his first start in almost three months, while despite experienced pair Seán Gannon and Paddy Barrett becoming available,
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Nash was up and down the
steps
of the Derrynane
Road
Stand as he watched his team control the opening half.
Cathal O'Sullivan and Milan Mbeng showed their trickery by nutmegging defenders, while Evan McLaughlin ran the show in midfield alongside Seán Murray.
Maguire had an early penalty appeal fall on deaf ears and Freddie Anderson headed a couple of corners towards goal. But his best attempt saw
Josh
Fitzpatrick get in the way of the ball.
In the 27th minute, Fitzpatrick battled to tee up McLaughlin for a dipping long-range
strike
that clipped the crossbar on its way over.
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Then, a rehearsed free-kick routine from McLaughlin saw Charlie Lyons denied at the front post by stand-in keeper Lorcan Healy.
Maguire had one shot blocked by Kameron Ledwidge before
stabbing
at another effort.
Cork City fans watch League of Ireland clash against Dundalk in cinema
Play was delayed due to a drone hovering over Turner's Cross before Shels' only chance of the half arrived. John Martin's hard
work
set up John O'Sullivan but Lyons headed his shot away to
safety
. It was Shels' sole shot against City's 11 in the first half.
Duff showed his displeasure with three half-time substitutions. Barrett and James Norris were called upon to bolster their defence. Mipo Odubeko came on to partner Martin up front.
Odubeko soon got off a couple of scruffy shots.
But City had their deserved goal in the 57th minute. Fitzpatrick won the ball from a loose Odubeko touch.
Mbeng then went on a charge down the right and stood up a brilliant cross for Maguire to rise above Mark Coyle to head home. A third goal of the season for the ex-Ireland international.
Odubeko could not find the
target
with a free header but Shels were level by the 71st minute.
Coyle and Odubeko were involved but the goal was all about Coote. The substitute turned into
space
on the edge of the box before drilling a perfect low finish into the net via the far post.
And Coote could have doubled his account within a minute but for a brave Lyons block.
But the hosts had a big opportunity to win it on 90 minutes when Rio Shipston's fierce shot was palmed away by Healy.
SUN
STAR
MAN
Evan McLaughlin (Cork).
CORK CITY
: Troost 6; Mbeng 8, Anderson 6, Lyons 7, Crowley 6; O'Sullivan 7 (Nolan 89, 6), S Murray 7 (Shipston 73, 6), McLaughlin 8, Fitzpatrick 7 (Dijksteel 73, 6); Maguire 7 (Bolger 66, 6), Daniels 7.
SHELBOURNE
: Healy 7; Coyle 6, Ledwidge 7, Wilson 6 (Barrett 46, 6); O'Sullivan 6 (Norris 46, 6), Lunney 6, McInroy 7, Caffrey 6; Chapman 6 (Coote 65, 7), Wood 5 (Odubeko 46, 6); Martin 6 (Kelly 82, 6).
REFEREE
: M Lynch (Galway) 6.