Cork City's long wait to lift the Premier Division title will continue for at least three more days as the Leesiders limped to a scoreless draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
The visitors knew a victory of any description would clinch the title or, less likely, Dundalk were to fail to win at home to Bray Wanderers, but flattered to decieve on what could have been their coronation.
In the end, it was the home side who could feel aggrieved not to have taken the three points, having created a string of chances in a second half lacking in both quality and intensity.
In a scrappy opening period, it was City who took the initiative and made most of the running in the first half while the hosts dug in and sought to pick their moments on the counter.
John Caulfield's decision to recall Greg Bolger in the centre of the park was vindicated as the captain showed his range of passing, and it was his through-ball that should have led to the opener.
A superb defence-splitting ball from the Wexford man sent Karl Sheppard clear and Bohs keeper Shane Supple misjudged the speed of the ball, cutting down the striker on the edge of the box.
Should Cork City have had a penalty kick? Karl Sheppard brought down by Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple. Ref waves play on pic.twitter.com/CTNI41mmaA
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 13, 2017
Referee Robert Harvey took a moment to deliberate and appeared to be reaching for his top pocket before waving play on as the travelling supporters in the Shed End howled in disbelief.
Oscar Brennan registered Bohs' first effort at the midway point in the first half, flashing a shot wide and over from 20 yards, as the home side struggled to mount coherent attacks of their own.
A mazy run from winger Kavanagh could have rectified that just after the half-hour as he beat two men before swinging in a cross for Dinny Corcoran but, leaning back, the striker's header was off-target.
Cork's Stephen Dooley had rather more success with an incisive run of his own seven minutes from the break but, after leaving Hayes for dead on the byline, he lost control at the vital moment.
The second half saw the roles reverse as the hosts took the game to their loftier opponents, who seemed to retreat into their shell the longer the half wore on.
Kavanagh and Derek Pender saw successive low shots saved by McNulty and Corcoran had an effort blocked before Akinade was millimetres from turning in an inviting cross.
Akinade had a better chance moments later as he latched onto a terrific through ball from Brennan but, having rounded McNulty, he watched Shane Griffin scramble to hook his shot off the line.
McNulty showed good agility to save from Hayes before a delightful run and cross from Kavanagh was caught just too flush by the head of Corcoran, who steered the ball back beyond the post.
City appeared comfortable to settle for a draw, with Dundalk also being held, and created little in the final quarter, while sub Ian Morris forced another great stop from McNulty.
However, a late goal from Michael Duffy at Oriel Park means the Rebel Army will have to postpone celebrations at least until they host Derry City on Monday evening.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Dylan Hayes, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Derek Pender; Dan Byrne (Philip Gannon 46), Oscar Brennan, Fuad Sule (Ian Morris 90+2), Paddy Kavanagh, Ismahil Akinade; Dinny Corcoran.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Jimmy Keohane (Conor McCarthy 66), Ryan Delaney, Alan Bennett. Shane Griffin; Greg Bolger, Gearóid Morrissey, Garry Buckley; Stephen Dooley, Kieran Sadlier, Karl Sheppard (Achille Campion 90+1).
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)
