FAI Cup semi-finals - Shelbourne 1 St Patrick's Athletic 1:St Patrick's Athletic let Shelbourne off the hook at Tolka Park this evening, squandering their one-goal lead against a side reduced to 10 men at Tolka Park to gift Alan Matthews side an FAI Cup reprieve.
After an enterprising side from both sides, tonight’s match swung in St Pat’s favour just before half-time as first Shelbourne fell behind before being reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards.
The opening goal came on 40 minutes after the Shelbourne defence failed to deal adequately with Stephen Bradley's free kick and when the ball fell to Danny North he made no mistake from the edge of the area.
Things got worse for the home side three minutes later when Colly James was handed a straight red after clashing with Anto Murphy. Television replays indicated there was little, if any, contact when James swung a boot on the deck after an aerial challenge but referee Anthony Buttimer had no hesitation in sending the player for an early bath.
Rather than press home their advantage after the break, however, St Pat’s were content to invite Shelbourne onto them and paid the price 20 minutes from time, Philly Hughes slotting the ball home with goalkeeper Gary Rogers stranded following a mix-up in the Pat’s defence.
Both sides will meet again at Richmond Park on Monday night (7.45pm) with the winners meeting either Sligo Rovers or Bohemians, who face each other on Sunday, in the final.
