Richie Towell’s first half double helped Dundalk into the semi-finals of the FAI Cup for the second successive season
Dundalk comfortably booked their place in the FAI Ford Cup semi-finals after thumping Shelbourne 5-1 at Tolka Park last night.
Stephen Kenny’s side effectively had the game wrapped up at half-time, when they led 5-0, giving the Lilywhites the chance to rest a few key players with one eye on next Friday’s top of the table clash with St Patrick’s Athletic.
The visitors opened the scoring on 13 minutes with Richie Towell curling the ball to the top corner of the net after a neat one-two with John Dillon.
Within five minutes, Dundalk had doubled their advantage with Andy Boyle heading home a Darren Meenan corner.
It was then 3-0 on 33 minutes with Patrick Hoban drilling home after an attack from Towell had broken down.
A minute before half-time, it was four with Kurtis Byrne scoring the goal of the game with an audacious chip from the halfway line.
Towell then added a fifth in first half stoppage time with a bullet header from John Sullivan’s right wing cross.
Shels did manage to pull a goal back five minutes after the restart through Lee Murtagh but it was little consolation as they joined Shamrock Rovers in the last four with Sligo Rovers still to face Derry City and Drogheda United set to face Finn Harps in a replay on Monday following a 1-1 draw in Ballybofey last night.
The cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday October 6th and will be broadcast live on RTÉ.
Shelbourne: Niall Burdon; Brian Gannon, Ian Ryan, Graham Gartland, Pat Flynn; Adam Hanlon, Glenn Cronin, Robert Bayly (Stephen Sheerin 72), Sean Brennan; Dean Kelly (Darren Tinnelly 72), Lee Murtagh (Carl Walshe 88).
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Mark Rossiter; John Dillon, Richie Towell (John Mountney h/t), Chris Shields Darren Meenan; Kurtis Byrne (Jordan Keegan 82), Pat Hoban (Vinny Faherty 71).
Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
