Hughes treble sees Shels into semi

Shelbourne 4 Limerick FC 3

Philly Hughes scored a hat-trick as Shelbourne took full advantage of their FAI Ford Cup reprieve to deservedly advance to a home semi-final meeting with St. Patrick’s Athletic as they buried their Limerick bogey in this seven goal thriller at Tolka Park.

Having lost to non-league Sheriff YC in the last round, Shels were reinstated, on appeal, after the non-league side were expelled for playing an ineligible player.

Shels ran up a 3-0 lead with goals from Hughes, on 19 and 46 minutes, and an own goal by Andy Bhandarkar on 27.

John Frost pulled a goal back from long-range nine minutes into the second half before Hughes sealed it with his hat-trick on 76 minutes.

Substitute Barry Sheedy got a second goal back for Limerick on 80 minutes before providing some late drama with a second right on 90.

But Shels held on for victory.