Turner sends Hoops into cup final in dramatic replay

CHRIS TURNER’S 70th minute winner sent Shamrock Rovers into their first FAI Ford Cup Final since 2002 at the expense of 10-man St Patrick’s Athletic in a tense semi-final replay last night.

Richmond Park was packed to the rafters for an occasion that had clearly re-ignited the FAI Ford Cup fervour in the capital but the behaviour of more than 100 of the visiting supporters who invaded the pitch at the end was unacceptable. The Saints brought in Damien Lynch for Noel Haverty in the only change from the side that snatched a late draw in the initial tie on Sunday but was sent-off nine minutes into the second half and the Saints did not have enough about them to produce another late equaliser after Turner found the net with 20 minutes remaining.

Dave McAllister, who scored in Tallaght 48 hours previously, had the game’s first opportunity in the seventh minute after pouncing on an error by Enda Stevens but Alan Mannus saved his low strike.

Billy Dennehy had a mazy run for the Hoops in the 15th minute but his shot from distance was comfortably gathered by Gary Rogers.

Dennehy might have squeezed the ball home from close range six minutes later after connecting with a low cross by Thomas Stewart but his effort ended up in the side-netting.

In first half injury-time Lynch found McAllister at the back post with a free-kick from the right but the midfielder’s volley was disappointingly wide from eight yards out.

Rogers had been very impressive in the first-half and he pulled off a remarkable save to keep out a Baker header six minutes into the second half after Chris Turner headed on a Stewart cross.

The home side suffered a major blow in the 53rd minute when Lynch was dismissed for pulling back Gary Twigg as he bore down on goal.

With more defenders around him, Lynch could argue he was not last man but referee Tom Connolly thought otherwise and issued the red card. Baker curled narrowly wide from the resulting free-kick.

Guy had a long range effort held by Mannus and Stevens had a deflected effort gathered by Rogers as little appeared to change initially following Lynch’s dismissal.

That situation was altered dramatically in the 70th minute when Turner found the net. Twigg cleverly used his chest to help on a Dennehy cross but Turner showed great skill to fire home.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Lynch, Kenna, Bermingham, McAllister, Byrne (S Stewart 81), Mulcahy, Doyle (Cash 45), North (Faherty 81), Guy.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Flynn (Bradley 80), Sives, Price, Stevens, Dennehy, Turner, Rice, T Stewart, Twigg, Baker (Fenn 87).

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin) .