Cork City took a huge step towards lifting the eircom Premier League title, which would be their first league title since 1993, when they completed a double over holders Shelbourne with a one-nil win at Turner's Cross tonight.
The crucial goal came after 24 minutes when Cork midfielder Joe Gamble raced into the penalty area before cutting the ball back from the end line for full back Neale Horgan who thumped a sixteen-yard shot past Dean Delaney for his first goal of the season.
In a tense game played in front of a passionate 7,000 attendance the visitors came close to equalising when Jason Byrne's free kick flew over the crossbar off the defensive wall.
Delaney denied Cork a second goal when he saved Liam Kearney's deflected shot with a flying one-handed save.
On the 82nd minute Shelbourne were reduced to ten men with Richie Baker receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Kearney.
A stoppage time Owen Heary header almost salvaged a point for the Dubliners before the full time whistle prompted a standing ovation from the Leeside fans for Damien Richardson's men who now move six points clear of second placed Derry City, and seven clear of Shels.
