Brilliant Bazunu saves from spot to frustrate Cork
CORK CITY could ill afford the luxury of a missed penalty by Kieran Sadlier on the hour mark as they were held to a goalless draw by Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross. On a night when Dundalk opened up a four point lead at the top of the Premier Division, the champions were left frustrated. It was the first time in six attempts that Sadlier had missed from 12 yards, as 16- year-old Gavin Bazunu dived low to his right to stop the shot and end City’s 11-match home winning run. Joey O’Brien wrestled Karl Sheppard to the ground as the ex-Rovers man chased Sean McLoughlin’s long ball into the box but Bazunu was equal to the task with a superb save as he kept his fourth clean sheet on the bounce. Shane Griffin had an early shout for a penalty waved away by referee Robert Hennessy, Roberto Lopes cleared the ball from Karl Sheppard and then Gearoid Morrissey volleyed well wide after 10 minutes. Rovers came into the tie on the back of three straight wins and played a game of containment. It was understandable given they had lost on their last four visits to Turner’s Cross and last tasted victory back in 2013 before John Caulfield’s appointment. Cork’s new signing Damien Delaney was on the bench while Conor McCarthy, Garry Buckley and Sheppard came in for Colm Horgan, Jimmy Keohane and Barry McNamee after the Dundalk defeat last week. Bazunu made two fine saves to deny Sadlier from a free kick and Graham Cummins’ header in the 27th and 28th minutes, as Cork looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. Rovers were confined to long range efforts from Sam Bone and Greg Bolger in the first half. Cork are back in European action on Tuesday night when they host Polish champions, Legia Warsaw in their Champions League qualifier at Turner’s Cross.