It was another very busy week of action in the SSE Airtricity League as ahead of the weekend’s league fixtures in the Premier and First Division’s there were three outstanding games in the EA Sports Cup.
Waterford FC beat Cork City 5-3 on penalties after they finished the game level at 1-1. Ismahil Akande got the winning penalty. Shelbourne FC beat Drogheda United 7-2 in Tolka Park to book their place in the last eight. Jamie Doyle getting a hat-trick for them in the game. Longford Town provided the shock of the night as they beat Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in the Tallaght Stadium. Daniel O’Reilly getting the winner in the 89th minute.
So we now know the full quarter-final line up as Sligo Rovers will host Waterford, Shelbourne will travel to play Derry City, Dundalk will welcome Bohemian FC and the remaining tie will an all First Division affair as Cobh Ramblers entertain Longford. Those games will be played on 7th/8th May.
Cork’s disappointment at going out of the EA Sports Cup was quickly tempered as in their return to league action they beat their great rivals Dundalk 1-0 in Turner’s Cross to go back to the top of the Premier Division. Gearoid Morrissey got the games only goal as Dundalk tasted defeat for the first time this season.
Waterford remain in third despite dropping points at home for the first time this season. They drew 1-1 with Sligo Rovers. Both goals came from Rovers players as Kyle Callan-McFadden scored an own goal with Raffaele Cretaro getting the equaliser. That was a notable goal for the Rovers veteran as it is the 17th season in which he has scored for the club. It was also his 70th career goal for the club and his 466th appearance which means he is now 18th overall in terms of all time appearances in the league. For Callan-McFadden it was a miserable night all round as he was sent off in the second half. David Webster also saw red late on for Waterford.
Derry City also failed to win in the Brandywell for the first time this season as they played out a goalless draw with Shamrock Rovers.
It also finished a draw in the meeting of St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemian FC. That game finished 2-2. Jake Keegan with both goals for St. Pat’s as Dinny Corcoran and Kevin Devaney scored for Bohs. St. Pat’s played out most of the second half with ten men as Ryan Brennan was sent off in the 52nd minute.
Bray Wanderers remain rooted to the bottom of the table as they were beaten 1-0 in the Carlisle Grounds by Limerick with Shane Duggan getting the games only goal. UCD remain top of the First Division thanks to their 3-2 win against Wexford FC in the UCD Bowl.
Galway United beat Cobh Ramblers 3-0 in Eamon Deacy Park. The main highlight of the game was their third goal which came from the penalty spot and was scored by Alan Murphy. That was his 75th career goal for the club and makes him their all time leading scorer. He had previously shared the record with Paul McGee.
Drogheda United and Shelbourne played out a 1-1 draw in United Park while in City Calling Stadium Longford Town were beaten 2-1 at home by Finn Harps.
The game between Cabinteely and Athlone Town had to be abandoned due to floodlight failure with about twenty minutes left. Cabinteely had been leading 1-0.
