First Division wrap: Ruairi Keating and Sean Maguire return but Cork draw blank

Runaway SSE Airtricity Men's First Division leaders Cork City and second-placed Athlone Town played out a scoreless draw in Turner's Cross, where chances were few and far between.

The earliest roar of the evening came for Ruairi Keating and Sean Maguire during the warm-ups, with everyone on Leeside buzzing with excitement after the pair returned to the club this week.

Fifteen points separated the sides ahead of the game but Athlone travelled south with confidence in their recent form and also safe in the knowledge that they are the only team to have beaten Cork City so far this season.

Openings were scarce early on with Malik Dijksteel asking questions of the Athlone defence but unable to really put them to the test.

Despite having to soak up lots of early pressure, Athlone slowly grew into the game as the first half progressed and once they settled started to take the game to Cork a bit more but similar to Cork it was the final pass that was lacking.

Dijksteel who had been lively from the off had the best chance of the half to put Cork ahead on the stroke of half time but just couldn’t get his feet right at the crucial moment having gathered the ball brilliantly initially.

Axworthy didn’t know much about it but managed to bundle the ball away from the feet of Dijksteel at the crucial moment and avert the danger.

That was to be Dijksteel’s last contribution of the game as he was taken off at the break and replaced by Jack Doherty ahead of the second half.

Dean Ebbe had a half chance for Athlone on the hour mark and almost caught Cork napping against the run of play. Ebbe followed the ball over the top and took it down well right in front of goal but was snuffed out in seconds by Wade in the Cork goal.

Moments later Athlone should