FAI Cup round-up: Last-minute Keena heroics carry St Pat's past Wexford

Aidan Keena of St Patrick's Athletic celebrates. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

FAI Cup: St Patrick's Athletic 2 Wexford 1 

A stunning last-minute winner from Aidan Keena was needed to book St Patrick's Athletic's passage through to the last 16 of the Club Orange FAI Cup, First Division Wexford making Stephen Kenny’s side work every inch of the way at Richmond Park.

Though St Patrick’s dominated possession throughout, they struggled to build on Jay McClelland’s first half lead and got punished from Jake Doyle’s cracking equaliser midway through the second half.

But with the watch into the 90th minute and extra-time looming, striker Keena collected substitute James Brown’s pass to turn Adam Verdon and rifle a sublime right-foot shot to the net off the far post to finally beat Paul Martin for a second time.

Keena then wasted a big chance on 10 minutes, completely missing his kick dead in front of goal following skipper Joe Redmond's incisive run and cross.

Wexford's Mikie Rowe, twice troubled Saints with a shot and header that were off target.

But sloppy defending undid Wexford on 14 minutes. Anto Breslin’s low cross evaded several defenders to gift opposite wingback McClelland the opportunity to drill the ball to the corner of the net off his left foot.

St Pat’s continued to dominate the ball with Ryan Edmondson having a shot blocked by Kian Dignam before Martin made his second save of the game in parrying away a long-range drive from Darragh Nugent.

Martin had to be there again two minutes before the interval to react well to push Breslin’s stinging effort over his crossbar.

The oneway traffic resumed from the restart, Keena flashing a shot wide across goal, a one-two with strike partner Edmondson easing him in on goal.

Zak O’Sullivan brought some respite for Wexford on 56 minutes with a clearcut chance on the counter.

Played in by Rowe’s astute ball over the the top, the half-time substitute blazed over the bar.

But the home faithful were left incensed and stunned in quick succession as Wexford equalised on 69 minutes.

With Redmond on the sideline having been ordered off by referee Lucas Keating following a head knock, Wexford scored seconds later.

Down their captain, St Pat’s failed to clear Max Murphy’s diagonal delivery into their area. Striker Doyle pounced to volley the loose ball to the roof of the net.

Wexford defended doggedly thereafter only to be undone when Keena brought roars of relief by the Camac with his thumping late winner.

Meanwhile, there were little in the way of surprises as some of the country's top junior sides saw their Cup runs come to a halt as Goliath came out on top.

New Athlone Town boss Sean O’Connor was in situ for his first game in charge as his side brushed aside Midleton FC 3-0.

It was slightly more comfortable for 2024 Winners Drogheda United who had a Mark Doyle double, a Stephen Odiashi O.G and Thomas Oluwa spot kick to thank as they beat 10-man Lucan United, who themselves look set to join the new LOI third tier upon launch.

Conor Knight hit a 93rd-minute winner to break Finn Harps hearts in a game that looked destined for extra time, to help the Seagulls soar into round three.

Last week's match-winning hero Matthew Wolfe helped himself to a brace as Galway United raced to a three-goal first-half lead with Stephen Walsh putting the icing on the cake at home to Dubliners, Crumlin United.

Elsewhere, Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk ended their three-game winless as they overcame a spirited St. Mochtas side, with Trevor Clarke - on his first start for the Lilywhites - netting in a 3-1 win at Oriel Park.

10-man Treaty United looked set to earn one of the surprises of the night as they took the lead five minutes after seeing new signing Colm Whelan receive his marching orders. 

UCD had previously beaten the Limerick side twice this season but found a way back through substitutes Hugh Smith and Charles Akinrintayo to put their name in the hat for the next round.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; Redmond, Grivosti (Lennon, 73), Turner; Baggley; McClelland (Brown, 73), Nugent (Hoare, 73), Forrester, Breslin; Keena, Edmondson.

Wexford: Martin; Butler (Hodgins, 65), Dignam (Hand, 78), McCourt, Murphy; Harnett (Abada, 74), Verdon; Richie (Wynne, h-t), Rowe, Tetteh (O’Sullivan, h-t); Doyle.

Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork).