FAI Cup: Monaghan defeat Athlone

Monaghan United 2, Athlone Town 1

A two-goal salvo from the highly-rated Darren McKenna earned eircom Premier Division basement side Monaghan victory at Century Homes Park.

McKenna struck after 22 and 45 minutes after Stephen Mullan had given Athlone an early lead as Monaghan bounced back from their 5-0 drubbing by Bray in their last outing in the league.

Mullan struck after only five minutes but Monaghan were good value for their win despite having to soak up a lot of pressure from Liam Buckley's men in the second-half.

On-loan Shelbourne keeper Gareth Downey denied Alan Kelly an equaliser for Athlone after the break when he stuck out his foot to save on 64 minutes.