CITY MAULING STADIUM HOBAN BRACE KEEPS WHITES ON FINAL PATH
KIERAN SADLIER scored a hat-trick as Cork City’s quest for a third FAI Cup in a row remained on track with a dominant performance to see off hosts Longford Town.
For the second season in a row, John Caulfield’s side had a quarter-final triumph at City Calling Stadium and this was a victory which was comfortable throughout as they built on a 2-0 half-time advantage over 10-man Longford.
From the off before a crowd of 1,181, City were focused on their task, keen to bounce back from the home loss to Sligo Rovers last week which left them six points behind Dundalk.
Karl Sheppard had an early chance as Michael Kelly saved well from him while Kieran Saddean lier shot over from a tight angle before the deadlock was broken in the 20th minute.
When Kieran Sadlier picked out Karl Sheppard on the penalty spot from a corner, the attacker couldn’t capitalise himself but the ball broke kindly for Gearóid Morrissey, who contorted his body to send the ball to the net with an acrobatic kick.
While Longford’s Dylan Mcglade had effort wide in the wake of that, City had doubled their lead within minutes. When Ronan Coughlan sent a nice ball wide to Karl Sheppard on the right, he did very well to evade Karl Chambers and crossed for Kieran Sadlier to head emphatically past Kelly (inset).
Mcglade did go close again for the hosts, his shot deflected wide after Alan Bennett did well to stop Zambra getting to a cross, but the bulk of the chances were continuing to come at the other end.
Sheppard, Morrissey and Garry Buckley all had chances before things got even tougher for Longford six minutes before half-time as midfielder Darren Meenan was sent off when referee Ray Matthews adjudged his challenge on
Collie O’neill’s side through to their first FAI Cup semi-final in 11 years at the expense of their disjointed Premier Division opponents at the UCD Bowl.
Unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, UCD didn’t lack for confidence as they passed the ball well from the off, taking a 20th minute from the first incisive attack of the game as Davis lost Kenny Browne and Sadlier to have been reckless, though the home faithful felt it was a harsh call. Television replays backed up that viewpoint. Within 10 minutes of the restart, City had added a third goal. When Steven Beattie’s cross wasn’t dealt, Ronan Coughlan had an easy task to tap in for his third strike in as many cup games, matching Sadlier’s achievement.
Sadlier then got his second, benefiting from a cross from sub Shane Daly-bütz with his first touch, and another replacement, Josh O’hanlon, netted the fifth – also a third in three for him – with Sadlier the provider.
In the 88th minute, Sadlier got his hat-trick with a 30-yard stunner and there was still time for a seventh as sub Barry Mcnamee met O’hanlon’s assist.
toe-poked it past Niall Corbet for his fifth goal in four games.
A rattled, Blues conceded again six minutes later through Molloy’s (right) stunner.
Gary O’neill’s foul on Rory Feeley allowed Stanley Aborah to convert a 78th minute United penalty but UCD held on comfortably from there.
Limerick Dundalk
0 4 DUNDALK cruised through to the last four of the FAI Cup for a fourth consecutive year after putting Limerick to the sword at the Markets Field.
Pat Hoban, chasing a goalscoring record with the Lilywhites, struck twice in the opening 20 minutes of the game and in truth, the contest all but ended at that point.
The sides had FAI Cup history, having met in the 1976-77 final in which the Lilywhites ran out 2-0 winners at Dalymount Park.
They last met in a showstopper in 2013, in which Dundalk ran out 5-3 winners. The now-salford FC striker Rory Gaffney was on target twice that day before being issued his marching orders.
But Limerick have yet to replace his goals – only scoring in 15 of their 30 league games this season. Adding in just a single home clean sheet all campaign, then it seems bizarre to think Dundalk struggled at this venue last week. Despite scoring in their previous 16 games against Limerick in the league, it took Michael Duffy 81 minutes to finally fire past Tommy Holland.
Stephen Kenny (inset) acted on that by reintroducing Patrick Mceleney to the starting line-up. The Derry native’s runs off the ball were the key to Dundalk breaking down a makeshift back four on the day.
But it was the introduction of Ronan Murray that ensured it wouldn’t be long for Dundalk to take control of this one. Robbie Benson linked up well with Murray who drifted into the left channel before crossing for Hoban to tap in from all of three years.
Hoban may as well have stayed in that six-yard box, too, as he would be converting from the same spot just 15 minutes later.
This time, Dane Massey floated a cross into the area. Tommy Holland may well be the guilty party for failing to claim the cross, but Hoban didn’t need a second invitation – powering home to double the lead.
John Mountney added another one before halftime as Limerick pushed on, and that would quickly become the story of this tie.
Georgie Kelly was introduced in the second half and he capitalised on the hosts over committing to add a fourth.
Dundalk have now very much got their eyes fixed on the league and cup double – and claiming both trophies back from rivals Cork City in the process.