DUNDALK SECURED A comprehensive 5-1 victory over Shelbourne in the FAI Cup quarter-finals at Tolka Park this evening, continuing their fantastic season in the process.
Richie Towell scored the first goal of the game on 13 minutes, finding the top corner after good interplay between himself and John Dillon.
Andy Boyle’s header from a corner doubled his side’s advantage after 19 minutes, before Patrick Hoban finished well to make it three after the ball fell fortuitously to him, following a bursting run through on goal by Towell.
The game was effectively over before half-time, as Kurtis Byrne scored with an incredible chip from the halfway line, after spotting the goalkeeper off his line.
Towell then made it five in first-half stoppage time, heading home from John Sullivan’s cross, before Lee Murtagh grabbed a second-half consolation for Shels, finishing consummately, after a clever pass from Sean Brennan put him through on goal.
Elsewhere tonight, Shamrock Rovers earned a 2-0 victory against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.
The visitors took the lead through Ronan Finn, planting a powerful header into the net from Conor Powell’s inviting cross.
Shane Robinson then doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, with a fantastic bicycle kick, after the Pat’s defence failed to deal adequately with a Billy Dennehy cross.
Pat’s had chances thereafter, but their opponents held out in a bad-tempered second half, with Ger Bolger and Pat Sullivan both sent off late on for a dangerous tackle and a second bookable offence respectively.
Meanwhile, Finn Harps and Drogheda United will meet again after the sides drew 1-1 in Finn Park this evening.
Kevin McHugh gave the home side the lead on 23 minutes, blasting home from distance to hand the First Division club the advantage.
Ciaran Coll was then sent off early in the second-half for the hosts following an off-the-ball incident involving David Cassidy.
The 10 men managed to hold out for 85 minutes, before Mick Daly found the net from Cassidy’s cross to ensure the game would go to a replay.
