Saints on course for Cup final spot

St Patrick's Athletic 2, Kildare County 1 (full-time)

Goals from Tony Bird and Keith Dunne ensured the form book wasn't upset as St Pat's booked their semi-final place in the FAI Carlsberg Cup.

First Division County were down and out within 24 minutes after conceding two goals and being reduced to 10 men.

Bird ran clear onto Mbabazi's through ball to shoot St Pat's in front on 14 minutes, his 15th strike of the season.

Bird then played Dunne through to blast home a stunning second goal on 21 minutes as County crumbled.

There was no way back for County three minutes later when Peter Rogers, booked for an earlier foul on Paul Osam, was sent off for a second yellow card for a challenge on Anthony Murphy.

County never gave up the fight, though, and Barry O'Connor headed against a post just before the interval.

The lively Philip Hughes also hit a post on 86 minutes before skipper Ben Whelehan headed home Alan McNevin's cross for a consolation goal three minutes into stoppage time.