A MEETING with either St Patrick’s Athletic or Shamrock Rovers in the next round is what Cherry Orchard would crave after dumping Longford Town out of the FAI Cup yesterday.
Goals from Philip Sheppard and Alan Caul stunned the First Division leaders – and two-time winners – Longford at sun-drenched Frank Cooke Park to give the non-league Ballyfermot side one of the biggest days in the club’s history.
“It was a great win for us, to beat a League of Ireland side who are doing very well in their league,” said a delighted Cherry Orchard boss Paul Doyle.
“We started well. That was the game plan. We weren’t going to sit back and let them come at us.
“We felt we were good enough, that if we got the opportunities to score we would score. We got four chances and scored two.
“It’s a great win and boost for the lads having gotten beaten in the Intermediate Cup final against Avondale two weeks ago.
“That was a heartbreaker. So to come and beat Longford and bounce back is great.” And on the next round, Doyle added: “We’d like to get another League of Ireland side, hopefully on their patch. Hopefully, St Pat’s or Shamrock Rovers.”
Sheppard punished poor defending to finish superbly off his right foot for the lead on 24 minutes. Cherry Orchard goalkeeper Sean Brazil was named man-of-the-match for terrific saves from Daniel Purdy and Jamie Duffy either side of their getting their second goal. That came on 77 minutes when Mark Hughes played 18-year-old Caul through to drill his shot beyond Craig Hyland.
Crumlin United had no such good fortune as they lost 3-0 at St Patrick’s Athletic.
An own goal from Derek Griffin after just three minutes was hardly the start the Leinster Senior League champions wanted at Richmond Park.
Jake Carroll then put St Patrick’s 2-0 up nine minutes later when sweeping the ball through the legs of Crumlin keeper Dave Meehan. Jake Kelly added the third goal three minutes from time.
Mark O’Sullivan scored twice as Intermediate Cup winners, and Munster Senior League champions, Avondale United won 3-1 at Kildrum Tigers.
O’Sullivan raced through to shoot past keeper Marty McGinty to put the Cork side ahead after 10 minutes.
A header from Connor Meade doubled Avondale’s lead eight minutes into the second half before O’Sullivan sealed the win with his second of the game on 69 minutes. Cormac Carlin got Kildrum’s consolation goal 14 minutes from time.
A David Breen penalty gave Waterford United a 1-0 win over Munster Senior League side Everton.
Central defender Breen made no mistake with his 40th minute spot kick after midfielder Gary Dempsey had had an earlier penalty saved by Shane Sherlock.
Douglas Hall, one of five non-league Cork sides who made the second round, held First Division Wexford Youths to a 1-1 draw at Moneygourney.
Youths needed an 81st minute penalty from Dean Broaders to bring the tie back to Ferrycarrig Park tomorrow night after Kevin Kelleher had put Douglas Hall in front on 54 minutes.
The replay of the drawn second round tie between Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne will take place at Tolka Park tonight (kick-off 8pm).
