Major shocks as Saints and Sligo are sent packing
THERE were a pair of European hangovers in evidence in the Extra.ie FAI Cup yesterday as both St Patrick’s Athletic and
Sligo Rovers were dumped out in the first round by First Division opposition. St Pat’s, who were victorious in Slovenia on Thursday, were on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller at home against Waterford while fellow European adventurers Sligo Rovers, who knocked out Motherwell during the week, suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to visitors Wexford. In Inchicore, Waterford stunned the Saints inside the opening 15 minutes when Wassim Aouachria put his side ahead. In a helter-skelter first half, a penalty by Ronan Coughlan and Tom Grivosti’s header gave the home side the lead inside the half hour. But it did not take long for the Blues to regain the initiative and Aouachria got his second, latching on to a mistake by Pat’s attacker Serge Atakayi, before Junior Quitirna gave the visitors the lead just before halftime. After that all-action first half, Pat’s huffed and puffed in the second but could not find a goal, and surrendered their crown meekly. In Sligo, the deadlock was broken early in the second half when Frank Liivak was fouled in the area and the hosts were rewarded a penalty.
Substitute Aidan Keena fired home. Wexford came roaring back and with ten minutes remaining bagged an equaliser from veteran striker Dinny Corcoran. In extra time, Ger Shortt’s cross into the box was dropped into the Sligo net by Rovers’ keeper Luke McNicholas and that was the deciding factor in a 2-1 win. In a Cup derby in Cork, Cobh Ramblers hosted rivals Cork City at St Colman’s Park. And it was the city side who advanced 1-0 thanks to Ruairi Keating’s winner. Donegal’s Bonagee United left little doubt about their cup credentials as they put six unanswered goals past Limerick’s Pike Rovers. Salthill Devon and Malahide United’s clash was a far closer affair, with the game going to penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw. The travelling Dublin side progressed with a 6-5 shootout victory. Salthill’s county neighbours Galway United enjoyed a far easier Sunday as John Caulfield’s high-flying side breezed past the Leinster Senior League’s Bluebell United, winning away 7-0.