EVAN CAFFREY’S volley was just what the doctor ordered as Shelbourne came from behind to earn a point and remain in good health in the title race.
The champions’ build-up to the visit of Cork City had seen boss Damien Duff openly admit his preparations were thrown into disarray with a nasty illness ravaging his squad.
But he named a strong team and, while a point at home to a promoted side may not seem ideal, with results elsewhere tightening a congested league table even further, the Tolka Park men moved to within two points of top spot.
And Caffrey was the man to earn the draw after the Reds fell behind to a poacher’s finish from Ruairí Keating early in the second half.
Tim Clancy, back in the Cork dugout after a ban, has put together a side more than capable of competing back at the top table and, with just one defeat so far, last season’s First Division champions looked sharp in the opening exchanges.
Although missing the influential Greg Bolger, Seáni Maguire and wonderkid Cathal O’Sullivan, the visitors almost landed the first blow just a couple of minutes in. Rio Shipston was brought down by Harry Wood in a dangerous position out right, allowing Benny Couto to swing in a dangerous free-kick.
And the Portuguese left-back found skipper Charlie Lyons who should have done better, heading straight at Conor Kearns from just a few yards out.
It took nearly 20 minutes for the home fans to have something to cheer about when Wood raced clear down the left but Darragh Crowley brought the Englishman down just as he got close to the area.
Ali Coote took the free that followed and fired it through the wall but wide, though some in the Riverside thought the ball had nestled in the corner of Tein Troost’s net.
Shels went close again when the excellent Kerr McInroy latched on to Wood’s deep cross to the back post and forced Troost into a smart save.
Coote was next to sting the palms of Troost, having gone on a mazy dribble through midfield, but again the Shels effort was shot straight at the Dutch goalkeeper.
It was the visitors who finished the first half the stronger, though, and they spurned a glorious chance to go ahead.
Having broken the offside trap from Keating’s pass, Alex Nolan looked to be in on goal only for Kameron Ledwidge to read the danger and recover well.
Impressive Cork did get in front just after the break when Shipston’s shot from distance deflected off the head of Paddy Barrett. Kearns did well to readjust and save with his feet but the loose ball fell invitingly for Keating to smash home.
Shels piled forward in search of an equaliser and with 20 minutes remaining, Caffrey latched on to Lyons’ half-clearance and made no mistake to volley in.
And Duff’s men might have won it when Troost failed to claim a high ball and John Martin turned and shot — but Crowley saved City on the line.
SUN STAR MAN
Kerr McInroy (Shelbourne)
SHELBOURNE: Kearns 7; Gannon 7, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 7, Norris 7 (O’Kane 67, 7); Coote 7 (Martin 80, 7), Chapman 7 (Odubeko 46, 7), Lunney 7 (Coyle 80, 7), McInroy 9, Wood 7 (Caffrey 46, 8); Boyd 7.
CORK CITY: Troost 7; Crowley 7, Mbeng 7, Lyons 7, Couto 7; Shipston 7, Murray 7 (A Healy 79, 7); Nolan 8 (Skieters 90, 6), Nelson 7 (Fitzpatrick 73, 7), Anderson 7; Keating 8.
REFEREE: R Harvey (Limerick) 6.
