AIRTRICITY LEAGUE HIGH-flyers Dundalk progressed to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup after defeating Limerick 5-3 in an entertaining game at Oriel Park.
A Stephen O’Donnell penalty got the Lilywhites on their way after six minutes but Axel Bossekota’s header pulled the visitors level ten minutes later.
Stephen Kenny’s side took control with goals from man-of-the-match Richie Towell, Darren Meenan and a Kurtis Byrne brace but Rory Gaffney gave the Munster club a lifeline with a second half double.
The same player thought he had made it 5-4 but the goal was disallowed and the striker earned himself a second yellow card meaning Limerick played out the game with ten men.
At The Brandywell, Leinster Senior League Senior side Bluebell United caused the biggest upset of the night by holding holders Derry City to a 0-0 draw at the Brandywell.
The Dubliners didn’t have the best of starts to the day after their team bus broke down while travelling through Dundalk but a spirited display saw them earned a replay.
Premier Division leaders St Patrick’s Athletic were too much for Bray Wanderers – winning 3-0 thanks to Greg Bolger, Conan Byrne and a Killian Brennan penalty – while Shelbourne’s Dean Kelly scored after four minutes in a 1-0 victory over Munster Senior League outfit College Corinthians.
Tallaght hosted an all-Dublin affair with the visit of all-conquering junior club Sheriff YC but it was Shamrock Rovers who went through to the last eight with Thomas Stewart, captain for the night Shane Robinson and Mark Quigley’s spot-kick proving enough.
John Rock scored a consolation for Sheriff with 25 minutes o n the clock.
Elswhere, First Division pair Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers played out a 1-1 draw and will have to do it all again.
Results:
- Bray 0-3 St Pat’s
- Derry 0-0 Bluebell
- Dundalk 5-3 Limerick
- Finn Harps 1-1 Cobh Ramblers
- Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Sheriff YC
- Shelbourne 1-0 College Corinthians
