Late goal brace sees Shamrock though

Athlone Town 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Cup Kings Shamrock Rovers scored twice inside the last six minutes as they came from behind to book their berth in the semi-finals of the FAI Carlsberg Cup.

Gerard Rowe looped an opportunist header over Town keeper Danny O’Leary to equalise on 84 minutes.

Left-back Robbie Clarke then won it for Rovers on 90 minutes with his first goal of the season.

Padraig Amond won possession in the corner to feed Clarke who worked a one-two off Rowe before shooting low to the net off his weaker right foot.

In a terrific cup tie before over 2,000 at Dubarry Park, Athlone went in disappointed not to be more than 1-0 up at the break.

The lead goal came on 38 minutes when Colin Fortune's precise delivery form a right wing free kick was headed home at the back post by central defender Jim Sheridan.

Athlone came within inches of killing off the game two minuets before Rovers levelled when Stevie Gavin worked some space only to see his shot come back off the butt of a post.