Cork City and Shamrock Rovers played out to a goalless draw in Turner’s Cross this evening, with little at stake for either side at this point in the season.

It proved to be a somewhat lethargic match for most of the 90 as Rovers fielded a near-completely changed starting XI from their clash against Pats on Friday.

Simon Power, who made just his third appearance of the season this evening, proved to be Rovers’ most potent threat, squandering the best opportunity of the game as he fired over the bar from point-blank range at the beginning of the second half.

Ruairi Keating was left with little service to feed off in front of goal as the game dwindled down to a 0-0 draw.

It was a clash of opposing faiths in Turner’s Cross, Shamrock Rovers beginning their title victory lap, while Cork had already been condemned to the play-offs to fight for league survival, the dead rubber nature of the match resulting in a largely lethargic tempo.

Stephen Bradley lent opportunities to many of the forgotten figures of the Rovers’ squad as well as their expecting young prospects, Lee Grace the only figure in the starting XI that had played against St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday.  

Simon Power-who made just his third appearance of the season-proved to be the bright spark in The Hoops attack, impressing with his link-up play, his final product however always leaving a bit wanting.  

Cork struggled to create many opportunities despite the weakened Rovers line-up, Ruairí Keating left with little service to feed on and in general, looking quite idle in the final third, Malik Dijksteel playing with direct aggression but lacking the quality to find the cutting-edge pass.

The pitch at Turner’s Cross limited both sides when it came to their quality of play, beginning to cut up earlier on and descending in to a mud bath during the final minutes.    

As the second half got underway the game looked to widen in scope, Cork certainly enjoying a stronger impetus going forward, sending a lot of deep crosses into the Rovers box in particular.  

Cian Baragry was presented with a great opportunity to put The Rebel Army ahead as he looked free to attack a free header from close range, Kieran Cruise getting in at the last minute to send the ball out for a corner.  

Power again proved to be the focal point of The Hoops’ attack, squandering the best chance of the game as he fired over the bar from point-blank range at the beginning of the second half.  

Cork began to pile on the pressure late on, an injury time goal line scramble should’ve seen Gareth Walker put Cork ahead from close range, miscommunication seeing captain Cian Coleman take the ball from Walker’s feet before toiling with the ball.

A minute later Barry Coffey found himself free at the back post, towering above to produce a powerful header, drawing a wonderful save from Leon Pohls who parried the ball away instinctively to keep the score level.

Shamrock Rovers were denied a guard of honour at Turner’s Cross this evening-defying conventional practice over the last few years-and will get the opportunity to celebrate their fourth league title in a row against Sligo on Friday.

Cork travel to Dalymount Park to finish off a torrid League of Ireland season, before facing either Waterford FC or Cobh Ramblers in their fight for league survival in the promotion/relegation playoffs.