Harps pay penalties as Hoops seal semi place

SHAMROCK ROVERS got three penalties and scored two of them as they came from 2-0 down to overcome Finn Harps in a cracking FAI Cup quarterfinal clash in Ballybofey. Harps deservedly led at the break after a purple patch saw goals from Adam Foley and Stephen Folan in a five-minute spell, but Rovers struck back in the second half with two spotkicks from Arron McEneff and a winner from Graham Burke. Harps went ahead on 15 minutes through Barry McNamee. Rovers were then stunned again on 20 minutes with Harps defender Stephen Folan heading home. Rovers pulled one back on 50 minutes when Sam Todd was adjudged to have fouled Liam Scales. Mark Anthony McGinley saved McEneff’s spot-kick, but as the ball spun loose it was deemed that Mark Russell had handled and another penalty was awarded. This time McEniff duly obliged. Rovers got a third penalty after McGinley was penalised and McEneff stepped up to make it 2-2 on 55 minutes. Burke fired Rovers ahead on 71 minutes. Harps had a penalty plea turned down late on before Rovers survived a goalmouth scramble. They held on to book their place in the last four. FINN HARPS: McGInley; O’Sullivan (TMcNamee 88), Webster, Folan, Todd; Coyle (Donnellan 62), G Harkin (R Harkin 62), Connolly, Russell (Cretaro 75); McNamee; Foley (Kogler 75). Scorers: B McNamee 15, Folan 20 SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Grace (Lopes 45), O’Brien, Scales, Lafferty (Kavanagh 45); Finn, McEneff, Byrne, Watts; Burke (Marshall 80), Greene (Oluwa 87). Scorers: McEneff 51 (pen), 55 (pen), Burke 71

Referee: R Hennessy (Limerick).