Dundalk 0 Drogheda United 0Dundalk will be disappointed they did not knock their Premier Division neighbours Drogheda United out of the cup at the first time of asking.
They totally dominated the first half, missed a penalty and had a number of other clear-cut opportunities which should have sent them in a couple of goals ahead at the break.
The second half was a more even affair, though once again the home side shaded it on goal chances.
Drogheda should have taken the lead with just three minutes gone when Andy Noonan's back header fell short of goalkeeper Chris Bennion for Declan O'Brien to nip in and head wide.
That was it as far as United were concerned in the opening half as Dundalk took the game to Drogheda time and again. With 15 minutes gone Gary Haylock just failed to make contact with Kieron Quinn's cross with the goal at his mercy.
Five minutes later Haylock's shot appeared destined for the Drogheda net only for Jermaine Sandvliet to scamper back and hook the ball from the goal line. From the resulting corner John Flanagan handled and the home side were awarded a penalty.
Haylock's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Gary Rodgers, diving at full stretch to his left.
Dundalk continued to press for the opening goal as the half drew to a close, with Haylock flashing a header narrowly wide, Quinn cracking an 18-yard strike off the bar and Robbie Dunne volleying over from close range.
Drogheda at last shook themselves at the start of the second half with John Lester's shot being blocked by a home defender as it careered goalwards.
Mark Rooney appeared to be held back in the box as he went to ground. However, referee Eddie Barr waved away United penalty claims.
On the hour Drogheda almost sneaked an unlikely lead goal when Declan O'Brien knocked the ball off the Dundalk bar.
It was pretty even for the remainder of the match. However, Dundalk had the best of the half-chances as Dunne's header was saved by Rodgers, Haylock missed the ball entirely from just six yards out and Kieron Quinn mis-kicked in front of goal with five minutes remaining.
DUNDALK: Bennion, Coburn, Kelly, Noonan, McGuinness, Marney, Dunne, Sliney, Quinn, Haylock, Clarke. Subs: Kelly for Dunne (70 mins), Curran for McGuinness (79 min).
DROGHEDA: Rodgers, Flanagan, Sandvliet, Grey, O'Connor, Lester, Whelan, Molloy, O'Brien, Rooney, Cronin. Subs: Lynch for Lester (65 mins), Myler for Rooney (68 mins), Quinless for Molloy (89 mins).
Referee: Eddie Barr (Dublin).
Tonight's FAI CUP fixtures: (7.45 unless stated): Waterford United v Sligo Rovers (7:30); St Patrick's Athletic v Wayside Celtic; Monaghan United v Dublin City (8.0); Bray Wanderers v Kilkenny City; Athlone Town v Tullamore; Galway United v Derry City; Cobh Ramblers v Limerick.
