Sporting Fingal force replay at Rovers

Sporting Fingal 2 Shamrock Rovers 2

Sporting Fingal came from 2-0 down to force a replay back at Tallaght on Tuesday night in a rip-roaring cup quarter-final at Morton Stadium.

After a scrappy start, Rovers' skipper Shane Robinson brought the game to life on 24th minutes when his free-kick came off both the crossbar and post.

The Hoops then scored twice inside three minutes by the half hour mark, both of which were superbly contrived and finished.

The opener came on 27 minutes as Ross Chisholm collected Robinson’s pass to thread a delightful ball through for Dessie Baker.

Unmarked inside the area, Baker showed a good touch and composure before sliding the ball past Darren Quigley.

If that was well-taken, the second goal was even better.

Graham Barrett sent Robinson away down the right and his low cross ran for Chisholm on the edge of the box and the Scot rifled a right foot shot to the roof of the net.

Sporting chased the game on the resumption and Shane McFaul’s sublime through ball found Shaun Williams who brought a terrific fingertip save from Barry Murphy within three minutes.

Sporting got a goal back to make a match it on 54 minutes.

Robert Bayly played Conan Byrne away down the right wing and his low cross was superbly shot home first time by the in-rushing Williams.

Sporting then levelled on 59 minutes after Ollie Cahill gave away a needless free kick for a foul on Byrne.

Williams whipped over a super delivery and Maher rose to head home.

Brian Gannon cleared off the Sporting line from Sean O’Connor before Byrne raced clear from Williams' pass at the other end to shoot into the side netting.

Rovers might then have won it with the last kick of the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but Quigley saved well from substitute Don Cowen.