CITY SURVIVE AND HARPS INTO PLAY-OFFS
KARL SHEPPARD’s first half goal and a second from Daire O’Connor confirmed Cork City’s Premier Division status and condemned UCD to First Division football next season. It was Cork’s first goal in five league matches and their first home win since May 10 and a 2-0 victory over the same opposition. Sheppard scored on 34 minutes when he cut inside before shooting low past Conor Kearns. O’Connor netted from Beineon O’BrienWhitmarsh’s flick on after 63 minutes. Dara Keane made it 2-1 after 72 minutes. Conor McCormack made it 3-1 before Jack Keaney scored from the penalty spot in added time.
CORK CITY: Ryan; McCormack, McCarthy (capt), Casey, Griffin (Horgan 80); Morrissey, Byrne; D. O’Connor, Coustrain (Stokes 75), Sheppard; O’BrienWhitmarsh.
UCD: Kearns; Dignam (KinsellaBishop 87), McEvoy, Boore (Farrell 27), Doyle (capt); Keane, Kearney; Kerrigan, McClelland, O’Farrell; Mahdy (Byrne 82).
Referee: Sean Grant. FRANK KENT
FINN Harps’ survival hopes will depend on a relegation play-off after they were edged out by Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. Greg Bolger’s stunning late strike earned the Hoops a 1-0 win – a near-carbon copy of his late winner when the sides met in Ballybofey in March. Harps will now have to contest a play-off at best thanks to Cork City’s 3-2 win over UCD, unless the Students claw back six points and 17 goals in their two remaining games. Chances were at a premium in the first half. Dylan Watts’ strike a minute before the break, expertly tipped over by Mark McGinley, was the best chance. McGinley then had to be at his best to turn Ronan Finn’s shot onto the post before denying Watts and Graham Burke. From the corner, Bolger fired the ball into the top corner and Ollie Horgan’s side now have a promotion play-off.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Lafferty, Grace, Kavanagh; Finn, Kavanagh (McEneff 72), Bolger, Watts, Farrugia (Abulu 76); Burke, Greene (Cummins 86).
FINN HARPS: McGinley; Deasy, Ascroft, Smith, Todd, Russell; McNamee, Harkin, Harkin, Timlin (O’Reilly 69); Boyle (Place 86).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).