HOLDERS DERRY CITY earned safe passage to the second round of the FAI Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win at home to Athlone Town.
The scoreline was cruel on Athlone, with Derry applying gloss in second-half stoppage time. Will Patching gave Derry the lead with a 23rd-minute penalty, with Brandon Kavanagh and then Michael Duffy scoring in the game’s dying moments.
Also in the second-round hat are Dundalk, who beat Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in spite of playing an hour with 10 men.
St Patrick’s Athletic also saw off the challenge of First Division Longford Town, winning 2-1 away from home. Adam Murphy gave Pat’s the lead just after the hour mark, but Longford equalised 15 minutes later through Mohamed Boudiaf. Pat’s quickly re-established their lead, winning a penalty only three minutes later which was converted by Chris Forrester. Longford ended the game with 10 men after Dylan Hand was sent off.
In the other non-league ties, Lucan United were beaten 3-2 at home by St Patrick’s CYFC after Mark Ivie scored a dramatic injury-time winner in a five-goal thriller, while Skerries Town cruised to a 3-0 triumph away to Portlaoise.
The draw for the second round takes place next Tuesday evening on Game On of RTÉ2fm.
First-round results:
- Lucan United 2-3 St Patrick’s CYFC
- Portlaoise AFC 0-3 Skerries Town
- Dundalk 1-0 Shamrock Rovers
- Derry City 3-0 Athlone Town
- Longford Town 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic
