PAUL McNALLY, St Francis' 21-year-old central defender, entered the club's history books with their first goal in senior football as Pete Mahon's side deservedly earned their first win to deprive Monaghan United of a Shield semi-final place at a very blustery John Hyland Park yesterday.
McNally, a talented defender with an eye for goal from set pieces, has already interested several other clubs with his performances in the competition so far.
His goal yesterday came after 24 minutes when he reacted well to get to Thomas Clarke's cross, following a short corner, to drive the ball home with his left foot from 10 yards out.
It was a win St Francis fully deserved and they should have added further goals in the second-half, most notably when Paul Kenny blasted a 20 yard shot against the crossbar late in the game.
The result from Baldonnel means Athlone Town qualify along with winners Drohgeda United from the northern section.
Southern section winners Galway will now play Athlone in the semifinals while Drogheda meet Limerick. Home advantage in the first leg and dates will be confirmed by the National League tonight.
On Saturday a scoreless draw at Rathbane was enough to see both Limerick and Galway through. The result was hardly surprising given the atrocious weather conditions of driving rain and wind.
Galway had to play striker Donie Farragher in goal as Robert Forde didn't play due to a contractual dispute with the club while reserve team goalkeeper Gabriel Higgins was unavailable.
Limerick had their chances in the first-half with Tony Izzi always dangerous. And Galway, with the wind behind them in the second-half, went close on several occasions, with veteran Martin Lawlor wasting their best chance.
Kilkenny City beat Cobh Ramblers 2-1 at Buckley Park but lost out on a semi-final place on goal
Despite dominating the first-half, Kilkenny fell behind on the hour when Cobh's Keith Dalton shot them in front.
An error by Cobh goalkeeper, Michael Devine, gifted Ritchie Hale an equaliser after 77 minutes. Kilkenny piled forward in search of a winner and got their reward in the final minute when local player Mark Culleton headed home Brian Arrigan's corner. But it was a little too late for Kilkenny who should have got the extra goals they needed to qualify.
