- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Aug 28 2021
St. Patrick's Athletic progressed to the quarter finals of the FAI Cup on Friday evening, after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
The Saints thought they had done enough to book their place in the last eight when Chris Forrester converted a penalty in the 87th minute, but Barry Coffey poked in an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time to send the game to extra-time.
It was a spirited cup encounter, and one which Cork City will be proud of as they caused the Premier Division side a number of problems.
George Heaven was fantastic for City in defence as he cleared every ball that entered the home team’s final third.
Cian Murphy and Dylan McGlade were electric for the Rebel Army going forward, but neither could get into a threatening position to test St. Pats defensively.
Jason McLelland tried to create the Saints first chance of the game, but just as he went to cross, Heaven slid in and won back the ball for City.
McCelland later managed to twist free inside the area and fired across goal, which was St. Pats best opportunity in the first half.
Viteslav Jaros was then needed deny Murphy after he got free and fired towards the bottom right of goal. The Liverpool loanee got low to save.
The second half began with a spectacular strike from McGlade, which needed a fist from Jaros to punch it out for a corner.
Ben McCormack changed the game for the Athletic, as his first touch led to a brilliant save by McNulty, and in the 87th minute he won a penalty for St. Pats. Chris Forrester then drilled the ball into the bottom corner, which sent the travelling fans crazy.
City responded by throwing everyone forward. A succession of chances ensued and at the end of one cross from McGlade was Coffey who poked in the equaliser in the last kick of injury time.
The Saints piled the pressure on City in extra-time, but failed to break through and test McNulty. In the shoot out Forrest, McCormack, McCelland, and Alfie Lewis all scored to give St. Pats a 4-1 victory.
Cork City FC: Mark McNulty Ronan Hurley, George Heaven (Cian Bargary 89), Dylan McGlade, Cian Coleman, Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh (Sean Kenny 59), Barry Coffey, Alec Byrne, Darragh Crowley, Cian Murphy (Aaron Bolger 103), Gordon Walker.
Subs not used: David Harrington (gk), Paul Hunt (gk), Dale Holland, Oran Crowe, Jamie Wynne, Jack Walsh.
Booked: Gordon Walker, Darragh Crowley, Dylan McGlade, Cian Bargary, Sean Kennedy.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Viteslav Jaros; Ian Bermingham (Shane Griffin 57), Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester, Ronan Coughlan (Nahum Melvin-Lambert 59), Jason McLelland, Billy King, Alfie Lewis , Darragh Burns (Kyran Nwoko 5), Jack Hickman, James Abankwah ( Ben McCormack 78).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy (gk), Josh Keely, Kian Corbally, Thomas Lonergan, Sam Curtis.
Booked: Ian Bermingham.
Referee: Derek Tomney
extratime.com Player of the Game: Chris Forrester (St. Patrick's Athletic)
