FAI Cup Round-Up: Galway United stun Cork City while UCD, Dundalk, Bohs and Rovers progress
Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)
Galway United and UCD produced the big upsets of the FAI Cup second round as they saw off 2017 winners Cork City and 2014 champs St Patrick’s Athletic respectively.
First Division Galway beat the Rebel Army 1-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park while the Students stunned Pats with a 3-1 game in new manager Maciej Tarnogrodzki’s first game in charge.
Bohemians survived a scare at home to Longford Town to triumph 6-5 on penalties while holders Dundalk needed extra time to see off Derry City.
Shamrock Rovers enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Drogheda United in Tallaght to avenge last season’s first-round elimination at United Park.
In-form Galway produced the shock of the round at Deacy Park as they made it three wins from three thanks to Conor Melody’s first-half goal.
The midfielder headed home a Stephen Christopher corner on the stroke of half-time to put the 2017 cup winners, watched by former Longford Town boss Neale Fenn, out at the second hurdle.
Read Paul Corcoran’s match report here.
UCD, managed for the first time by Maciej Tarnogrodzki following the dismissal of Collie O’Neill this week, stunned St Patrick’s Athletic in Belfield.
A brace from Liam Kerrigan following Yoyo Mahdy’s opener did the damage for the Students, despite Conor Clifford pulling back a late goal and Jack Keaney’s red card.
Read Dave Donnelly’s match report here. Harry Kenny tendered his resignation as Saints manager on Saturday evening.
A 117th-minute goal from former Derry City under-19 player Georgie Kelly earned Dundalk the win in a five-goal thriller at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
Daniel Kelly had opened the scoring for the Lilywhites in the first half before Greg Sloggett levelled things up with a spectacular finish just after the break.
The champions were back in front within two minutes thanks to Daniel Cleary’s header, before Darren McAuley levelled to force extra time.
A penalty shoot-out appeared to be on the cards before a header from Donegal man Kelly settled the tie with three minutes remaining in extra time.
In penalties were narrowly averted in Derry, they were the only way Bohemians and Longford Town were going to be separated at Dalymount Park.
James Talbot was the hero as he denied his opposite number Lee Steacy in the shoot-out after Andre Wright and Jack Doherty had netted in extra time.
Read Andrew Dempsey’s match report here.
Finally, Shamrock Rovers scored four goals in the second half to see off the challenge of Drogheda United, who knocked them out of last year’s competition, in Tallaght.
Gary O’Neill opened the scoring with a header 12 minutes into the second half before Aaron Greene, Aaron McEneff and Sean Kavanagh stretched out the lead to 4-0.
Read Macdara Ferris’ match report here.
