Cork City 0-0 Drogheda United

Last season these clubs were lifting domestic football's major silverwear but the meeting of former Premier division champions Drogheda and FAI Cup winners Cork failed to produce a goal for the 2,400 fans at Turners Cross.

The visiting players have had to take a 70% wage cut for the rest of the season after the club’s owners failed to secure planning permission for their proposed new stadium.

John Tambouras went closest for Drogheda with a header taken off the line and Cork's Darren Murphy had a header blocked in the second half.

It had been a contrasting week for the two clubs. Drogheda who last season won their first ever League championship title as well as the Setanta Cup, find themselves in major financial difficulties, with the failure of the club to get planning permission for their proposed new grounds.

The Drogheda staff have been forced to accept just 30% of their wages for the remainder of the season as the club head into examinership.

Cork meanwhile have had a good few days, with Alan Matthews side qualifying for the Setanta Cup final after a semi-final win over Derry City at the Brandywell, followed by news from the high court on Thursday that the club are out of examinership and debt free and now looking to the future under new a owner, Cork businessman Tom Coughlan.

In the sixth meeting of the sides this season, which had yielded away wins each in the league, two draws in the Setanta Cup, with Cork winning a League Cup quarter final at United Park.

We had a first half of few chances, Lawrie Dudfield and Alan O'Connor went close for Cork, Drogheda defender John Tambouras had a header taken off the goal line by Cork full back Danny Murphy.

After the break Cork created a good chance on the hour. A good cross from Pat Sullivan found the head of Darren Murphy but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Jamie Ewings.

Drogheda now face a different battle to keep their better players and boss Paul Doolin at the club, it will be difficult with their financial crisis.

CORK CITY: McNulty;Horgan,Sullivan,Murray,Danny Murphy;Ryan,Gamble,Darren
Murphy,Kiely;Dudfield,O'Connor.
Substitutes;Cambridge,Behan for Kiely 68 mins,Kelly,Forde,Philpott.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Ewings;Clarke,Tambouras,Gartland,Cahill;Kuduzovic,Keegan,
Ristila,Robinson;O'Brien,Zayed.
Sub's; Whelan,Skinner,Williams for Kuduzovic 73,Nolan,Kierins.

Referee: Derek Tomney(Dublin).