Dundalk 1
Shamrock Rovers 1
Caoimhin Reilly reports from Oriel Park
FOR THE SECOND time in four seasons, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers finished level in the FAI Cup, as the side’s succumbed to a 1-1 draw at Oriel Park thanks to Brandon Miele’s second-half leveller on Sunday evening.
The note of anti-climax around Oriel Park at the full time told the tale. It was a game that – while controlled by Dundalk – neither deserved to lose and ultimately Rovers will feel the happier of the camps
Stephen Kenny’s hosts got off to the best possible start when Benson put them ahead with the team’s 100th goal of the season. A cross from Dylan Connolly was left by Michael Duffy for the gleeful Benson to tuck to the bottom corner.
The remainder of the first half was fairly end to end with a dipping shot from Patrick McEleney and a free kick across goal from Miele the closest the teams came to adding to the score. All of this despite Dundalk enjoying most of the possession.
After the break, Rovers upped the ante. But it didn’t look as if they were going to be rewarded for their more concerted phases of attack until Miele drove to the corner of the net with 14 minutes to play.
The goal was merited on the basis of their second half play, though Rovers were to put themselves under the cosh for the closing minutes following David McAllister’s sending off for a woeful challenge on Chris Shields.
The substitute was subsequently replaced courtesy of the injury.
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Hoare, Vemmelund; Benson, O’Donnell; Connolly (Shields 70) (Shields 81), McEleney, Duffy; McMillan (Stewart 90)
Shamrock Rovers: Chencinski; Madden, Lopes, Grace, Byrne; Finn, McAllister, Bolger (Doona 72); Clarke, Shaw, Miele (Connolly 81)
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Good battling performance particularly in the second half. Hopefully we do them at home now. #BradleyOut
@Mr Scientist: ah no
If you think cork would outnumber rovers fans you’re drunk. It’s very funny that Cork fans are starting to come out of the woodwork again after a few years. It’s true that you are a one team player. Without Maguire cork have been atrocious and to struggle against an average Limerick team in the semi-finals says it all, sure they’ve been trying to wrap the league up now for the last few weeks and it’s getting embarrassing now. Whoever wins this relay will run Cork over in the final.
@Graham McGuinness: laughable,ask any neutral,ref last week city v Dundalk,2 best teams in the land,and all pundits,papers, media agreed we are the best in Ireland
@newbie: yep,was there,poor turn out ref rovers fans
@billy Dorney: Were the best in Ireland when Maguire was scoring in every game for you. I watched the game against Limerick and I wasn’t very convinced.
@newbie: I must be suffering from amnesia so, when was this because I can’t remember and don’t say 2005 either
@Graham McGuinness: How did Rovers get on against Pats the other night?Dundalk have not beaten City in last 9 or 10 games, Rovers beat City in EA cup, which no one cares about. Last few league games City have stuffed Rovers. As the league table shows City are the best team in the country. Up to the rest to try get up their level. The double is on no bother, Dundalk or Rovers don,t have the quality to trouble City….
@running man: you know it’s not not going to be the same next season but I won’t begrudge you the league. Enjoy it while it lasts. Oh and if your going on league form… I think we beat you in Tallaght a few weeks ago if I’m not mistaken
@Graham McGuinness: watch the city v Dundalk?
@running man: ccfc
@Graham McGuinness: once
@Graham McGuinness: Your right, it won;t be the same next season, City will be even further ahead….. Oh you never said how ye got on against Pats?
@newbie: Strange lie
City all the way .. no matter who they play in the final . B nice to see city rovers final as watching that Dundalk team play is like watching paint dry on the church wall during mass
@Steve McMahon: If paint drying looks like scoring 100 goals in one season I’d watch that all day long. Gob
@Citeóg: have to wait till next year to try again though,vv lucky at Turner’s X
@Citeóg: Still not going to win the league though…..
@running man: big fcuking massive smile
Great heart rovers, Dundalk looked out of ideas/steam in the 2nd half,but for a while in the first half had ye on the racks big time,and should have scored another at least,still should be a cracker in tallaght
Always hate this biggest crowd talk. Yes at the minute cork have the biggest crowd by a long shot, but everyone club has a bandwagon that supports a winning team.cork city fan
Very good game. Dundalk should have been a couple up before the break. 2nd half Rovers were on top until McCallister red card (terrible tackle) which had Rover’s hanging on at the end . looking forward to the replay. This Cork will have more fan’s crap…There’s only one team in Cork so they should have more fan’s but couldn’t even fill the cross against Limerick in the semi. Come on the super hoops
@Tony O Connor: not couldn’t, didn’t, foregone conclusion ref result, slipped up onc v Limerick,not again,sure we’ve beaten every team in the league this year, sometimes twice,ccfc
Rovers always seem to be on the back foot when playing Dundalk. Hopefully they can turn this trend around in the replay.
two clubs of mutants
If cork drew with limerick I’m led to believe the replay would have been for Monday in limerick ?? But rovers v Dundalk is Tuesday week ? I can be corrected on this if wrong , thanks
@Tricksy: dundalk have leinster cup final on wednesday so that is why we couldn’t play the cup replay this week.