Hoops turn on the power

GOALS from Gary McCabe, Chris Turner, Dean Kelly and Billy Dennehy sent Shamrock Rovers into the fourth round of the FAI Cup at Tallaght last night against an Athlone Town side that offered little in the way of an attacking threat.

The FAI Cup third round offers those of humble origin a chance to stake a claim for giant-killing glory but such was the gulf between Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers that few expected such a thing to happen here.

Michael O’Neill, dampened expectations still further by naming a starting XI that contained only three players who might not consider themselves regular starters. Ryan Thompson started in goal, Ciaran Kilduff got a rare start up front and 19 year old Sean Gannon made just his second full appearance in defence.