Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0:Cork City took inspiration from a superb performance from Colin Healy to overcome Shamrock Rovers at Turner's Cross where Denis Behan was once again the home team's goal-scoring hero.

Behan extended his remarkable scoring run to eight goals in five matches with a winner in the 34th minute of a match that provided excellent entertainment for an estimated 4,000 fans. His goal helped Cork climb to joint second in the table and put themselves in line for qualification for European competition.

Cork dominated the game, especially in the first half. They finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute after a superb move. Joe Gamble swopped passes with John O'Flynn and found Liam Kearney on the left wing and his cross picked out Behan who headed home at the far post.

Rovers defended deep in the first half and left Tadhg Purcell on his own up front as they sought to hit Cork on the break.

Their policy nearly paid off as early as the 18th minute when John Martin crossed accurately for Ger Rowe whose effort was parried by goalkeeper Michael Devine. However Healy's clever promptings in central midfield dictated the proceedings in Cork's favour.

Rovers stepped up their game in the second half to regularly trouble the Cork defence. Their best chance fell to Purcell who finally raced clear of the defence in the 79th minute.

Purcell advanced into the penalty area but, when confronted by goalkeeper Devine, he pulled his shot across goal and wide of the far upright.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, O'Callaghan, Murray, Woods; Farrelly (Softic 89)Gamble, Healy, Kearney; O'Flynn (McSweeney 76), Behan.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Steve O'Brien; Ger O'Brien, O'Connor, Ferguson, Clarke; Martin (Mulhall 57), McGill, Reynolds (Myler 73), Rowe; Purcell, Cassidy (Doiyle 89)

Referee: H. Whoriskey (Dublin).