Shamrock Rovers reach FAI Cup semis after penalty shoot-out victory over holders Drogs
EPIC PENALTIES: Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty and Aaron McEneff, left, celebrate after defeating last year's champions Drogheda in a dramatic penalty shoot out. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Shamrock Rovers were pushed all the way to penalties at Sullivan & Lambe Park but Stephen Bradley’s team prevailed to see off 2024 winners Drogheda United and move into the FAI Cup semi-finals.
Andrew Quinn’s extraordinary goal in the fifth minute of added on time cancelled out Graham Burke’s first half opener and ensured the sellout 2,594 crowd would get an extra 30 minutes of action.
They saw a dramatic shootout too where Ed McGinty saved from Conor Keeley, Darragh Markey and Dare Kareem to keep the Hoops on course for a league and cup double.
With Rovers advancing, their quest for a first league and cup double in 38 years remains a going concern. In what was without question the tie of the round, the cup holders welcomed the 25-time FAI cup winners to Sullivan & Lambe Park.
Kevin Doherty spoke pre-match of how his side had designs on retaining the blue riband silverware. After their European expulsion in the summer, cup success would offer another spin down the same route.
Burke’s opener was the end result of patient yet incisive Rovers play. Yet, it still relied on a major slice of luck. Dylan Watts, Josh Honohan and Danny Mandroiu were all involved. But Ryan Brennan’s slip allowed the latter to find Burke’s diagonal run. He made no mistake with his finish, an 11th career goal against Drogheda.
Rovers assumed a degree of control over the game at that point. United at least looked capable of occasionally threatening against the run of play.
There was a major flashpoint shortly before the interval when Mandroiu cynically hacked Conor Kane down as Drogheda looked to launch a quick counter attack. Referee Neil Doyle produced only yellow, much to his relief and the fury of Kevin Doherty, his staff and players.
Both Doherty and assistant Daire Doyle were booked in the aftermath; receiving the same punishment as the Rovers man had for a dangerous challenge, with the ball nowhere in sight. It rubbed salt into fresh wounds and the pained expressions on display told a story.
The second half was hardly a less sedate affair but certainly less noteworthy in terms of incident. That was until Drogheda came close to an equaliser on 67 minutes.
Kane’s piledriver from range took a wicked deflection, forcing McGinty to parry away and as Drogs piled on the pressure, both Conor Keeley and Andrew Quinn had shots blocked.
Rovers began to live dangerously as Drogheda sensed their cup run had some life in it yet. All the away side had to show for their efforts was Lee Grace’s tame header towards goal. They still had their clean sheet though, but their advantage was so slender.
There was to be no home breakthrough through. Just as the clock hit 90 and five additional minutes were displayed, Keeley met Conor Kane’s perfect cross with a sweetly struck volley. It was on target, but McGinty kept it out.
It was a stunning save but not enough. In the 95th minute, Quinn’s overhead kick sent the game to extra-time, and then penalties.
For the second round in a row, the Drogs faced a shootout but this time, they lost out.
: Dennison; Bolger (Kareem, 75), Keeley, Quinn; Lambe, Brennan (Doyle, 55), Heeney, Kane; Markey; Davis (Cooper, 97), Thomas (Stretton, 61).
: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Grant, Watts (O’Neill, 90+2), Healy (Nugent, 90+2), Honohan; Mandroiu (McEneff, 75); Burke (Greene, 75 9McGovern, 117)), Gaffney (Noonan, 59).
Neil Doyle
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
