Bohemians 0 Sligo Rovers 1: Sligo Rovers reached their third consecutive FAI Cup final on Sunday afternoon when former Bohemians man Jason McGuinness proved the difference between Paul Cook's side and the Gypsies at Dalymount Park.

The defending champions, who beat Shamrock Rovers on penalties last year and lost to Sporting Fingal in 2009, await the outcome of tomorrow's semi-final replay between St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne to learn who they will face this year.

It was not the spectacle some might have hoped and after an attritional first half, low on quality and chances, McGuinness decided it in the 73rd minute when he controlled Richie Ryan's cross at the backpost and drilled the ball low and hard past Barry Murphy in the Bohs net.

The Bit o'Red were just about worth their lead, having controlled the majority of possession but they'll know they have to improve to retain the Cup, though there were no concerns about the performance in the immediate aftermath.

"Yeah, we don't mind what way it comes, what matters is we are in the final,” McGuinness told RTE afterwards. “Bohemians are a fantastic club and the lads put in a good shift, but unfortunately there can only be one winner.

Asked if a final appearance would make up for their ailing hopes in the league, McGuinness added: "We'll keep going to the end of the season. We made great strides this season and we'll push Shamrock Rovers all the way."

Cook said a third final in a row was “a fantastic achievement by the players”, though he admitted: “We weren’t at our best today.”

With two games remaining and a four-point deficit to make up on Rovers, the manager acknowledged they were likely to “fall short”, but agreed the final would be some consolation.

“We’ll go there, we’ll finish the season as well as we can.”