Full Time: Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Cork City
Shamrock Rovers strengthened their grip on the SSE Airtricity Premier Division's top spot after cruising to a 4-1 win over Cork City at Tallaght Stadium this evening.
After the postponement of this fixture earlier in the season due to heavy rain, you would expect the travelling Rebel Army to be delighted with the sunny skies above Tallaght Stadium. However, that early joy would have been short-lived, as Shamrock Rovers put on a clinic from the get-go this evening.
Kicking off the action in the 25 degree heat, Cork’s Djenairo Daniels provided an early chance. But from there, things went awry. An early goal from youngster Michael Noonan put Rovers ahead after just six minutes, and he later doubled his tally 23 minutes later.
In between those two goals, Roberto Lopes nodded home his second of the season, expertly timing his jump to blast it past Troost.
Pico Lopes gives Rovers a second before Michael Noonan made it three!pic.twitter.com/dy4ic761RC
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 20, 2025
Cork did fashion some half chances of their own through Dijksteel, Daniels and Mbeng but the quality between the division’s top and bottom side was evident throughout.
Rory Gaffney, one of six changes for the league leaders, consistently caused a headache for Darragh Crowley. On several occasions, the forward’s change of pace and impressive acceleration left the Cork skipper in the dust. His strike partner, Noonan, looked calm and composed for both of his goals, as though he’d been playing at this level for years.
Daniels, who had proved to be a handful for opposition defenders before tonight, was kept quiet thanks to Lopes and Cleary, who handled his physicality well.
Despite taking a comfortable lead at the break, Stephen Bradley opted for two changes. Honohan replaced Lopes, while Clarke came off for Kovalevskis. The latter was expected, though, as Clarke looked to flag an issue with the team physio at the break.
In need of a boost, Cork also made a double substitution of their own, as Disksteel and Nelson came off for Murray and Lyons. Unfortunately for Ger Nash, the Hoops picked up where they left off. Gaffney was fed through by Mandroiu, and with just the keeper to beat, he curled it past him to make it 4-0.
And it's four!pic.twitter.com/zL0w9QG1zh
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 20, 2025
Another pair of subs were introduced by the hosts, with the aforementioned assist the last moment of magic by Mandroiu. Dylan Watts also made way, with Cian Barrett and Gary O’Neill getting a run out.
As Shamrock Rovers took their foot off the gas, they still looked a huge threat to a struggling Cork City side. The addition of O'Neill and Honohan kept things ticking over further down the field, while Noonan looked as if he'd bagged his hat-trick but was denied by the post.
Cork did nab a consolation goal with around 20 minutes left to play. A lovely curled pass from Bolger found Nolan, who - despite being in the box - found himself in acres of space. After taking a touch, he struck it through the legs of McGinty, and Cleary's last-ditch attempt to clear it off the line proved futile. The goal provided a bit of a spark for the visitors, although it was far too late for Cork to launch a meaningful comeback.
Maxim Kovalevskis nearly bagged a first senior career goal, with the wing-back getting two solid chances. The first saw the youngster unleashed down the wing, where he admittedly should have passed. From a tight angle, he tried to squeeze it past Troost, but couldn't steer it goalwards. The second came just a minute later, as Gaffney once again found the 17-year-old out wide. With Noonan in an offside position, he was left with no option but to shoot, and his effort was held by the keeper.
A free kick in added time gave Cork a last-minute opportunity to leave Tallaght Stadium with a more respectable scoreline, but a low driven effort was hacked away by Noonan.
The win leaves Shamrock Rovers 11 points clear at the summit, after a Bohemians loss on the road against Waterford saw them drop to third, with Drogheda United now closest to the league leaders.
Full Time: Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Cork City
Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes (c) (45’), C O’Sullivan; Grant (73'), J O’Sullivan, Watts (53’), Clarke (45’), Mandroiu (53’); Noonan, Gaffney
Substitutes: Pohls, Honohan (45’), McEneff (73'), Greene, Burke, O’Neill (53’), Barrett (53’), Byrne, Kovalevskis (45’)
Cork City: Troost; Mbeng (61’), Anderson, Crowley, Fitzpatrick; C O’Sullivan, Bolger, McLaughlin, Dijksteel (45’); Daniels (61’), Nelson (45’)
Substitutes: Brann, Moloney, Nevin (61’), Lyons (45’), Nolan, Murray (45’), Maguire (61’), Healy, Dunne
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
Attendance: 4,355
