FAI CUP:St Patrick's Athletic 2 Sporting Fingal 0
MARK QUIGLEY produced a piece of genius to send St Patrick's Athletic on their way to Monday night's semi-final draw of the FAI Cup.
Sporting Fingal's five-man midfield had generally frustrated St Patrick's in this quarter-final replay up until the 42nd minute when Quigley raised the roof at Richmond Park with his 22nd goal of the season.
Quigley is a former Belvedere prodigy, and his strike would have delighted Noel O'Reilly, a man synonymous with the famous Dublin schoolboy club and St Patrick's, who, sadly, passed away shortly before the game kicked off.
With little on, Quigley collected the ball out near the left touchline, cut inside and struck an amazing chip off his right foot that outfoxed Steve Williams at his near post to dip into the top corner of the net.
Williams could scarcely be faulted for that as he'd kept Sporting in it with some vital saves. Williams was first called into action on 15 minutes to tip over a stunning volley from Keith Fahey from 25 yards.
Quigley's goal gave St Patrick's all the confidence they needed and they ran the second half, adding to their winning margin on 61 minutes. Alan Kirby skipped away down the left to cross for Glenn Fitzpatrick to head home from close range.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Barry Ryan; Brennan, Harris (Haverty, 78 mins), Rogers, Byrne (O Cearuill, 81 mins); Guy, Fahey, Dempsey, Kirby (ONeill, 76 mins); Quigley, Fitzpatrick.
SPORTING FINGAL:Williams; Tyrrell, Deans, Philip Byrne, Gannon; James; C. Byrne, P Caffrey (Hynes, 66 mins), Collins, McArdle (Corcoran, 58 mins); Paul Byrne (Morrisroe, 78 mins).
Referee:Damien Hancock (Dublin).
