Cork City and Bohemians must meet again after the two Premier Division sides played a out thrilling 2-2 draw in the third round of the FAI Ford Cup at Turner’s Cross.
The home side got off to a slow and unconvincing start and Bohemians should have already been in front before Dinny Corcoran gave them the lead on 31 minutes with a well taken shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The Gypsies did well to keep the Cork front line quiet for most of the evening but their good work was undone in the 70th minute when the Rebels were awarded a penalty.
Billy Dennehy stepped up to take it and while his initial effort was saved, he was able to knock home the rebound.
Both sides pressed hard for victory after the equaliser but it the visitors who hit the front courtesy of a Corcoran shot that went in of the underside of the crossbar with just seven minutes to go.
Again Cork had to battle to come from behind and just when it looked as if their luck was out, the veteran Dan Murray pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and fired home to ensure a replay (Monday, 7.45pm).
St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne will also have to do it again after the Dublin rivals were unable to be separated as their game in Richmond Park finished 1-1.
This wasn’t the classic that fans thought they might have been in from after two goals were scored in the opening ten minutes. Christy Fagan gave the home side the lead after three minutes while the visitors levelled courtesy of Alan O’Sullivan soon after that.
The home side had the better chances against their local rivals but they were wasteful in front of goal and both sides will do it again on Tuesday in Tolka Park.
Derry City eased to a convincing 3-0 victory over Malahide United.
Coming into the game on the back of a three-match losing streak, this was a potential banana skin for the Candystripes but after a shaky first half they turned on the style to claim victory.
There were a few nervous faces at half-time as the game stood scoreless after the home side had wasted a hatful of chances but just when it appeared an upset could be on the cards a stunning long-range goal from Patrick McEleney gave Derry the lead on 53 minutes.
Michael Duffy doubled his side’s lead a minute later with another impressive effort before Philip Lowry was on hand to pick up a loose ball an tap home from close range with 17 minutes to go.
Premier Division leaders Dundalk ensured their passage to the fourth round with a dominate display against Galway but a lack of composure in front of goal gave the 2-1 scoreline a slightly generous appearance.
Donal McDermott and Sean Gannon combined well on 28 minutes to allow McDermot to open the scoring with a cool finish before a second-half stunner from John Mountney made it 2-0 after Dundalk had spurned several good chances.
Padraic Cunningham capitalised on confusion in the Dundalk penalty area to pull one back for Galway and ensure a tense finish with nine minutes to go but Dundalk held on to claim victory.
Pat Fenlon’s Shamrock Rovers honeymoon continued as his side booked their place in the next round with an impressive 3-0 victory over Longford Town.
After surviving an early scare when goalkeeper Barry Murphy had to save from Dave O’Sullivan after some sloppy passing at the back let him in, Rovers took the lead through Sean O'Connor.
The Rovers midfielder finished off a neat passing move he himself started on 25 minutes.
Gary McCabe then added Rovers second with what could be a contender for goal of the season as he hit an unstoppable volley from the edge of the penalty area past Paul Hunt in the Longford goal.
An injury-time goal from Patrick Cregg, who was making his home debut, was the icing on the cake for the Hoops.
Meanwhile Finn Harps won the battle of the First Division as they edged to a 2-1 victory over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.
Thomas McMonagle opened the scoring for the visitors on 26 minutes before Michael Funston doubled Harps’ lead with 17 minutes to go.
A Dean Broaders goal for Wexford Youths in the dying minutes ensured a tense finish but Harps were able to hold on.
Meanwhile, RTÉ has announced that the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tie between champions St Patrick’s Athletic and table toppers Dundalk on Friday 5 September will be shown live on RTÉ Two, kick-off 7.05pm.
