GOALKEEPER BARRY MURPHY was the shootout king as St Patrick’s Athletic moved one step closer to ending their 51-year FAI Cup famine by beating Drogheda United on penalties on Monday.
With the quarter-final replay still deadlocked at 1-1 following extra time, Murphy saved spot-kicks from Tiernan Mulvenna and brothers Sean and Gavin Brennan to send the Saints through to the final four.
Pat’s, who last won the cup when they beat Drumcondra in 1961, now face a trip to Premier Division strugglers Dundalk. Derry City host Shelbourne in the other semi final, with both ties taking place on Sunday 7 October.
Drogheda looked to have settled a close encounter in their favour when defender Derek Prendergast scored in the 79th minute, but Pat’s were unwilling to go quietly into the night and striker Vinny Faherty levelled the tie at the death, equalising in the 90th minute.
Thirty minutes of extra-time produced no further goals and when Mulvenna and Sean Brennan missed in the shootout, it fell to Gavin Brennan to keep Drogs’ dreams alive. Murphy guessed correctly to save and Pat’s remain on course for a famous triumph.
FAI Cup semi-final draw (to be played 7 October)
- Derry City v Shelbourne
- Dundalk v St Patrick’s Athletic
