User:rorynoonanDate:20/04/2013Time:08:15:49Edition:20/04/2013Satsatecho200413Page:56Color:
Evening Echo
SPORT
EE - V1
Inside today
Sailing ....................... P35 Ladies GAA ......... P36, 37 Rebel nÓg GAA ... P38, 39 Camogie .............. P40, 41
Racing ................. P42-45 Roadbowling ............. P46 Ladies soccer ........... P47 Basketball ................. P48
Rugby ................................... P49 Soccer .................................. P50 GAA ................................ P51, 52 L of I soccer ......................... P53
Cork City manager Tommy Dunne shows his disgust at Shels’ injurytime goal during last night’s game at Turner’s Cross. Picture: Eddie O’Hare
Ephie thrilled as minors draw with late penalty FOOTBALL
By JOHN HORGAN
SOCCER
By NOEL SPILLANE Cork City Shelbourne
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A SICKENING result for Cork City and manager Tommy Dunne and they now have to pick themselves up in a hurry for Monday’s Setanta Cup return with Shamrock Rovers. “Listen, never mind the players, it’s me who needs the pick-me-up after that added-time shambles,” snapped Dunne as bottom club Shels took a point at the Curragh Road. Cork have now coughed up nine league points to late equalising goals to teams like Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Shelbourne as well as a late winning goal to Derry City at the end of March. “Because of these setbacks we have put ourselves under pressure and we have got to go and win a few games now for a change. “We have a really big televised game here with Rovers on Monday night with a place in the Setanta Cup final at stake and I just hope we can bounce back from
Tommy feels the pressure
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A second-half comeback was not enough for Munster as Newport Gwent Dragons struck at the death in last night’s Rabo Direct Pro 12 league game at Rodney Parade. Munster trailed 19-5 at the break despite an early
Cork manager Ephie Fitzgerald. match will benefit the players going forward. “The replay is an extra match now for us and that will be good in terms of preparation for the next round. “We did miss some chances, but if we were not creating them you’d be more worried, some days they go in and their goalkeeper made a few saves too. “We didn’t put our heads down after missing a penalty and I think this year we focused on getting in guys with real character and that never-say-die spirit was shown there tonight. “A lot of our players had a hard championship hurling match last week and it’s not easy to come back. “I am thrilled, not so much with the result but the performance and commitment of the lads was first class.’’ ● See P52 for more.
City boss needs Setanta Cup pick-me-up this and give the fans what they want,” he added. Cork drew 1-1 with the Hoops at Tallaght last Tuesday so they have a valuable away goal and, if they can hold the opposition at bay, then they will make the Saturday, May 11 final against either league champions, Sligo Rovers or Drogheda.
Drogheda have a two-goal first leg advantage going into their return clash at the Showgrounds on Monday evening. City are eighth after last night’s results and have 10 points from eight games, the same as Munster rivals Limerick who have a slightly better goal difference. ● See P53 for more.
Munster lose it late despite comeback Dragons Munster
CORK minor football boss, Ephie Fitzgerald, was loud in his praise for the manner in which his players responded to earn a draw with Kerry in the opening game of the provincial campaign at Pairc Uí Rinn last night. Extra-time could not drag the age old rivals apart with Cork securing a last gasp goal to force a replay at a Kerry venue, probably next week. “We were in trouble at half-time in extra-time when we trailed by four points but I thought that all night the lads showed great heart and determination. “They gave it their all out on that pitch and I certainly thought we were unlucky not to have won the game in normal time because we created lots of chances. “Our general play and our attitude was very good and I thought that the game was a great advertisement for football, an open and attractive game played in the right spirit.’’ Fitzgerald was delighted to have got the draw in the end and he believes that the extra
try by Paddy Butler. They produced a rousing comeback with tries from Ronan O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Johne Murphy to take the lead. But it did not last long as Dragons rookie Ross Wardle crossed in the closing stages. With Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne looming,
RUGBY Rob Penney made sweeping changes with just three players remaining from last week’s defeat to Leinster. Denis Hurley, Ian Keatley and Damien Varley all held onto their places, while academy wing O’Mahony made his Pro12 debut All three did their chances of involvement in
the European encounter little harm and O’Mahony showed plenty of glimpses of his potential. The wing made several lively breaks in a busy performance and dashed over in the corner for his first try in Munster colours. The Dragons, with nothing but pride to play for selected their strongest team. In the end just about de-
served their win, but Munster, with no new injury worries, can now focus on next Saturday’s clash with Clermont in France. Scorers for Dragons: R Wardle try; S Jones try, drop goal; T Prydie con, 5 pens. Scorers for Munster: P Butler, R O’Mahony, C J Stander, J Murphy try each; I Keatley 2 cons.
Cooks Corner Wooden Kitchen