Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sporting Fingal (After extra-time)
Sporting Fingal negotiated their passage into the semi-final of the FAI Ford Cup semi-final on Tuesday night by inflicting a rare defeat on Premier Division challengers Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
Fingal battled back from two goals down in Saturday's first game between the sides but they started better in the replay and eventually ensured their progress courtesy of Alan Kirby's double.
Kirby’s 113th minute penalty proved to be the decisive blow as Stephen Bradley missed a spot kick in add time of extra-time, after he had converted one in normal time.
Though Dessie Baker drilled a third minute opportunity over Rovers then endured a couple of anxious moments as Fingal responded impressively.
After eight minutes, an uncharacteristic Aidan Price mistake allowed Gary O’Neill seize possession deep in Rovers territory and Fingal punished the mistake ruthlessly.
O’Neill carried the ball into the area before setting up Alan Kirby, who rifled a precise shot past goalkeeper Alan Mannus.
A delicate Kirby chip on 16 was saved by Mannus as Fingal continue to threaten Michael O’Neill’s Premier League title high-flyers.
Rovers then survived another scare in the 26th minute when Shaun Williams’ free kick came within a whisker of finding Stephen Paisley.
Surprisingly subdued Rovers, who hadn’t lost a game since May, failed to seriously examine the Fingal defence before the interval as the visitors departed with a deserved lead.
But a minute after the restart Rovers were back trading on terms as Bradley expertly converted a penalty.
Substitute Stephen Rice’s throw caused panic in the Fingal defence as Baker worked the ball to Ross Chisholm, who was fouled by Shane McFaul, and the ex-Arsenal apprentice restored parity.
Chisholm nearly scored with a clever free kick during a burst of Rovers pressure, but Fingal were dangerous on the break as Robbie Bayly and O’Neill went close.
Then another Rovers replacement Padraig Amond forced Darren Quigley to make a superb save in the 80th minute.
Despite action at both ends extra time was still needed, and Rovers were reduced to 10 men in the 107th minute when Craig Sives was dismissed for a second yellow card following a high challenge on Brian Gannon.
Two further penalties were awarded by Richie Winter in the dying embers with Kirby converting, and Bradley firing over as Fingal advanced.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Flynn, Price, Sives, Cahill; Bradley, Chisholm, Robinson (Rice, 46), O'Connor; Barrett (Tracey, 108), Baker (Amond, 72).
Sporting Fingal: Quigley; Gannon, Maher, Paisley, Frost; C Byrne (Zayed, 82), Bayly (James, 117), McFaul, Williams, Kirby; O'Neill (Doyle, 88).
Referee: R Winter (Wicklow).