No way through for Dundalk

DUNDALK and Bohemians will have to meet again next Tuesday to decide who advances to the last four of the FAI Ford Cup after playing out a stalemate at Oriel Park last night.

In a repeat of the 2002 final, both sides had chances to win the game. It will be Ian Foster’s home side though who will be more disappointed with the outcome, however, having squandered a host of chances.

Bohemians also had their chances, with Ger O’Brien wasting a good opening just after the half hour mark. Killian Brennan’s inswinging cross bounced over the head of Lilywhites captain Simon Madden, allowing O’Brien in at the back post, but his effort crashed into the side-netting.

Moments later Aidan Downes was denied by a wonder save from Cherrie.

The Gypsies had let-off a minute before the break, however, when Quigley went close with a delicate chip after the visitors had failed to deal with a corner.

The visitors started the second half brightly, with Brennan going close with a left-footed strike a minute after the restart.

Bohs had another let-off on 64 minutes, however, when referee Anthony Buttimer failed to spot a clear handball by Hurley inside the box.

As the clock ticked down, the game became much more open, with Dundalk wasting the best chance of the evening in the 72nd minute. Marc Griffin waltzed into the box past a couple of challenges before pulling the ball back to Quigley, but somehow the club’s leading scorer blazed over from just eight yards out.

In the end there was no separating the sides but having escaped with a draw, it will be Pat Fenlon’s men who fancy their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, C Byrne, Bennett, McHugh; Breen, Ward, Bolger, Gaynor; Quigley; Griffin (J Byrne, 79 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Heary, Price, Burns, Rossiter; O’Brien (Traynor, 83mins), Hurley (Bayly, 67 mins), Cronin, Brennan; Flood (Buckley, 76mins), Downes.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).