It may have taken two months to be played, but Junior Cup holders Portmarnock yesterday finally shocked First Division outfit Dundalk to move into the last eight of the Senior Cup.

And make no mistake about it, the AUL Premier A side were full value for their win, played behind closed doors at Baldonnell yesterday.

The all-important winner came after 33 minutes. The junior side had just seen Dundalk goalkeeper John Connolly push Craig Bolton's penalty kick onto the upright, before it was cleared away for a corner.

However, Barry Flynn was quick with the corner, picking out the unmarked Keith Bruen - who had had to drive the Portmarnock team bus to yesterday's match at Baldonnell - and he powerfully headed home from six yards.

Dundalk should have been 20 by that stage, but twice Martin Reilly failed to find the target from excellent positions.

In fact, Bruen - the FAI Junior Player of the Year for 2000 - had a great chance to double his side's advantage midway through the second half, but ballooned his effort over the top.

Dundalk, despite plenty of huff and puff in the second half, met a resolute Portmarnock defence, although 15 minutes from time Martin Reilly squandered a great chance, only to be denied by Thomas Kavanagh.

Portmarnock's reward in the quarter-finals is a home clash with Longford Town, the date and venue for which should be confirmed by the FAI today.

Portmarnock: Kavanagh; Stenson, Dolan, Mooney, Maddock; Bolton, Flynn, Bruen, Carolan; Feeney, O'Hara. Subs: Cummins for O'Hara (65 mins), McDonald for Bolton (80 mins), Barry for Feeney (89 mins).

Dundalk: Connolly; Whyte, Gollogley, Hill, Crawley; Flanagan, O'Dowd, Hoey, Byrne; M Reilly, Ryan. Subs: Ward for Byrne (64 mins), A Reilly for Ryan (80 mins).

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).