Sheppard delight as Hoops reach final

SHAMROCK ROVERS are through to a Setanta Cup final clash on May 14 with Dundalk after first-half goals from Karl Sheppard and Ronan Finn gave them a comfortable semi-final, second-leg victory over Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium last night.

It was some measure of revenge for the Airtricity League champions after Sligo’s penalty shoot-out victory over the Hoops in the FAI Ford Cup final at the Aviva Stadium last season.

Sligo had the perfect start on just two minutes when after a neat interchange between Daryl Horgan and Alan Keane, Keane sent over a cross from the right for the unmarked Eoin Doyle headed home from close range.