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.

The Hoops were level just five minutes later when a cross from the outstanding Billy Dennehy on the left was missed by Gary O’Neill only for striker Sheppard to fire past keeper Brendan Clarke from nine yards.

The Dublin side then took the lead on the night on 25 minutes when industrious midfielder Finn skipped past a couple of Sligo defenders on the right to supply the perfect opportunity for Dennehy to apply the finish.

Former Northern Ireland international keeper Alan Mannus pulled off two fine saves early in the second half to deny Sligo a route back into the game. In truth, however, the Tallaght team always looked in control as they cruised into the final.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan, Murray, Oman, Stevens; McCormack, Price, Dennehy (Kavanagh 79), Finn, Sheppard; O’Neill (Kelly 70).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Peers, Foran, Davoren; Ventre (Ryan 69),Greene, Horgan (Kirby 74); McGoldrick, Doyle.

Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast).