THE TOPIC OF penalties has cropped up quite frequently for Dundalk over the last week.
Ironically, they progressed to the last-eight of this year’s EA Sports Cup by winning a shootout against UCD, though it was a nervy affair for Stephen Kenny’s side who came into the fixture having lost three of their previous six games.
And at Oriel Park, they went behind to Gary O’Neill’s first-half strike.
After the break, the home side were awarded a penalty – their first in almost twelve months – but Ciaran Kilduff saw his effort saved by Niall Corbet.
You’d forgive Kenny for feeling cursed.
But, Conor Clifford equalised with 15 minutes to go and after two cagey periods of extra-time, a shootout followed.
Both sides were unerringly accurate but in sudden-death, Yousef Mahdy missed and Dundalk won out 7-6 to book a quarter-final place.
A shootout was required to separate St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bray Wanderers too, with the SuperSaints winning 5-3 after Ryan Brennan’s early miss.
The winning penalty today scored by Graham Kelly #EASPORTSCUP pic.twitter.com/RrLykPj9cZ
— St Patrick's Ath (@stpatsfc) April 17, 2017
Graham Kelly slotted home the winning kick at Richmond Park.
Meanwhile, Brandon Miele grabbed a brace as Shamrock Rovers got the better of Dublin rivals Bohemians in Tallaght.
The game was delicately poised at 1-1 before he found the net on 65 and 79 minutes.
At the Market’s Field, rampant Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Cork City put three past provincial neighbours Limerick. Garry Buckley and Shane Griffin were on the mark while Shane Tracey put through his own net.
On a day of derbies, Sligo played host to Finn Harps in the north-west in a game that needed extra-time to find a winner. With a shootout looming, Matthew Stevens’ pounced with a header to claim bragging rights for the home side.
Shane Keegan’s Galway have found the going tough in the league but picked up a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory against Derry City thanks to goals from Kevin Devaney and Vinny Faherty.
And, in the battle of the First Division sides, Waterford progressed at the expense of Cobh Ramblers after a 2-0 win at the RSC while Longford picked up the same result against Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Great win vs a predictably difficult Mainz. Seemed destined for a draw but they started to turn the screw with 20 minutes to go. Can brilliant at the back, and props to Witsel bagging the winner and keeping at it despite being his last season at the club. Even with all the injuries we’re in a good place – Reus, Guerreiro, and Akanji among others to return. 8 games left including one vs Bayern. 4 point gap. Unlikely but not impossible.
@Ultan Corcoran: Not a hope. They’ll lose 5-1 to Bayern. And at least twice more besides that. I hope I’m wrong but Dortmund are consistent bottlers. Be great to see Dortmund do it though.
@Simon Doherty: Such contradictory points hahahaha but I understand what you’re saying. I too doubt we’ll do it but here’s to hoping!