Cork City centre forward Noel Hartigan provided the highlight of a disappointing League Cup final second-leg tie at Turner's Cross yesterday with a remarkable goal that gave Cork a 2-1 aggregate win over a Shamrock Rovers side forced to play with only 10 men for 33 minutes. Hartigan struck 37 minutes into a controversial tie when he crashed home a left-footed volley after a marvellous passing move that involved more than half the team.

His strike and the approach play that led to it were at odds with the general level of play on a day when Rovers were without their defensive lynchpin Paul Whelan and had goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd dismissed after 57 minutes. O'Dowd was shown the red card after the referee Hugh Byrne of Dublin had consulted his assistant on the touch-line and the goalkeeper was dismissed for what the referee later described as "violent conduct".

The incident occurred when O'Dowd dropped to the ground to save a long-range shot and then raised his foot and caught John Caulfield on the foot as the centre forward stood over him.

Rovers manager Mick Byrne said: "The goalkeeper was just trying to get the Cork player to step out of his way and did not really kick him. I did not think it was a red card offence. At most I thought it deserved a yellow card. It is difficult to accept that as a sending off when so many tackles that were much more malicious in intent were left go without even a warning."

Cork manager, Dave Barry said "I didn't see what happened. I was looking back down the pitch to make sure my back four were ready for the clearance.

"Sometimes the laws of the game can seem harsh and John Caulfield didn't fall or anything and wasn't hurt, so I don't think it merited a red card."

Once the referee had decided the goalkeeper had to go he had no option but to award a penalty to Cork, but with substitute goalkeeper Robbie Horgan immediately sent in to face the penalty, Cork's Kelvin Flanagan fired the penalty against an upright from where it bounced to safety.

Rovers might well have forced the game into extra time immediately for they broke down the pitch and Derek Tracey gave Tony Cousins a clear shot on goal, but his scoring attempt was turned aside by the quick reactions of goalkeeper Noel Mooney.

Cork just about deserved their win on a day when an estimated 8,000 fans created a wonderful atmosphere. The majority were celebrating at the finish but in truth would surely agree that Cork were less than convincing winners on a day when Rovers were stronger in the middle of the field, where Richie Purdy and Mark Kenny played a lot of ball.

Cork had outstanding players in defence, however. Derek Coughlan and Dave Hill were in top form at centre back and Hartigan's brilliant goal was worth the admission fee.

"I was pleased with the effort of my players," said Mick Byrne, "They gave 110 per cent and but for the goalkeeper making a good save from Tony Cousins we might well have snatched it.

"It is tremendous to think what has happened to this club in two years," said Dave Barry. We had 1500 people travel to Waterford with us on Sunday and it is obvious the public have taken this team to their hearts. Two years ago the club was in liquidation and now we have the League Cup to add to the FAI Cup."

Cork City: Mooney, Daly, Coughlan, Hill, Cronin, O'Brien, Flanagan, Herrick, Cahill, Caulfield, Hartigan. Sub: Morley, for Hartigan (78 mins).

Shamrock Rovers: O'Dowd, Britton, Brazil, Palmer, Dunne, Kenny, Colwell, Purdy, Tracey, Sherlock, Cousins. Subs: Horgan for Britton (57 mins); Markey for Dunne (80 mins).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).