SEAN BRENNAN SCORED twice to help Drogheda United on their way to a 5-2 win in Athlone last night.
The midfielder got his side off to the perfect start in the eighth minute when he finished off a good move involving Mark O’Brien. Declan O’Brien then teed up former Shels man Mark O’Brien, who latched onto his team-mate’s cross to fire home.
Athlone did manage to get off the mark right before the break but Drogs remained in control as captain Paul Crowley extended their lead before Brennan scored his second from a free-kick.
‘Fabio’ finished off the rout with a penalty on 77 minutes and Mark Sherlock added one more for the home side late on as to leave it 5-2 at the final whistle.
David Cassidy grabbed the only goal of the game at Tolka Park as Shelbourne overcame Mervue United and got back to winning ways after a 4-0 drubbing from Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
The midfielder struck a volley from Barry Clancy’s cross after 25 minutes and despite a late chance for Philly Hughes, the game ended 1-0.
At Turner’s Cross, Cork City hammered Wexford Youths with the goals coming from Daryl Horgan, Kalen Spillane, Tadhg Purcell and substitutes Jamie Murphy and Davin O’Neill.
Youths did score a consolation as Dean Broaders lobbed Kevin Burns in the City goal with the last kick of the game.
Waterford United were on the receiving end of a 6-1 defeat at the RSC as UCD comfortably progressed to the second round. The Students were four goals up at half-time with Cillian Morrison bagging a quick-fire hat-trick in the space of six minutes and Daniel Ledwith chipping Packie Holden just before the interval.
Incredibly, Morrison added a fourth before a Peter White own-goal and a consolation from teenager Sean Maguire.
Monaghan United came through the first round despite falling behind to Donegal outfit Fanad United at Gortakeegan. Roddy Collins opted to play an experimental side and it looked like it might have backfired when Eunan Kelly put the visitors in front after 38 minutes.
Two goals in injury time, from Conor Murphy and son Roddy Junior, snatched victory in dramatic fashion, however.
Finally, in what was an uneventful tie at Finn Park, home team Finn Harps saw off the Mayo League thanks to goals from David Reilly and Kevin McHugh.
Here are all of last night’s results:
- Athlone Town 2-5 Drogheda United
- Shelbourne 1-0 Mervue United
- Cork City 5-1 Wexford Youths
- Waterford United 1-6 UCD
- Monaghan United 2-1 Fanad United
- Finn Harps 2-0 Mayo League
