There was nothing seperating these teams on the league table coming into the match, with Cork City just ahead of Shamrock Rovers on goal difference, and their was little difference between them on the pitch.
Promoted Shamrock Rovers winning two games over the Easter weekend, a home win on Monday in the League Cup over Dundalk followed last week's victory in Bray.
But the Dublin side had to line out without captain Aidan Price and striker Tadgh Purcell because of injury.
Cork had won their last three league games including an impressive 4-1 win against Derry City at The Brandywell on Monday, so it was not surprising they fielded the same eleven that won on Foyleside.
Only goal difference separated the teams before kick off, Cork just ahead in third place after both side had won three and drawn one of their five league games so far.
Rovers almost took the lead on 53 minutes as Ger Rowe found space in behind the Cork defence, but his lobbed effort over advancing goalkeeper Michael Devine landed on the roof of the home net.
Cork substitute Denis Behan picked up the ball off Hoops defender Ian Ryan with seven minutes remaining, but his placed effort brought a fine save from visiting goalkeeper Barry Murphy.
Then Behan had a downward header taken off the goal line by full back Ger O'Brien as Cork piled on late pressure.
Cork City: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Kelly, Ryan; Kearney, Gamble, Softic, Cillian Lordan; O'Donovan, O'Flynn.
Substitutes; Behan for O'Flynn, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Woods, McNulty.
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; O'Brien, Clarke, Ferguson, Ryan; David Magill, Barrett, Eric Magill, Pender; Colbert ,Rowe.
Substitutes: Cassidy for Pender H/T, Myler for Colbert 55,
O'Connor for Barrett 75, Duffy and Perkins.
Referee: Dave McKeon.
