FOUR goals in a storming second-half display sent Cork City into the quarter-finals of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup at the expense of holders St Patrick's Athletic.
The standout tie of the Third Round was a close-fought, edgy affair in the opening 45 minutes, but once Garry Buckley scrambled in an opener three minutes into the second-half from close range, the Leesiders took control.
Three minutes later Mark O’Sullivan doubled their advantage when he pinched the ball from Pats' Killian Brennan in midfield, strode forward and beat Brendan Clarke with a tremendous 30-yard shot.
A shell-shocked Pats tried to get a foothold back in the game, but it was practically over with 20 minutes remaining when Buckley scored his second of the evening, firing home from close range after Clarke had failed to hold a Ross Gaynor shot.
A good night for the home side was wrapped up late on when Karl Sheppard set up Billy Dennehy for a simple fourth goal following a rapid counter-attack on the break.
Dundalk's hopes of a league and cup double are still very much alive, after they cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win at Galway United.
Manager Stephen Kenny rang the changes and gave some squad players a starting berth, and the incomers gave him some selection headaches with an impressive performance, although they fell behind early on when Jake Keegan put the Tribesmen ahead.
But Dundalk drew level on 23 minutes Darren Meenan's cross was despatched into the net by Brian Gartland, and Gartland began the move that led to Dundalk going ahead 14 minutes later, when his ball forward was flicked on by Ciaran Kilduff into the path of leading scorer Richie Towell, who beat Galway keeper Ger Hanley with a cool chip.
Dundalk added a third just before half-time when a Meenan corner was powerfully headed home by former Galway player Paddy Barrett, and a convincing win was sealed seven minutes from time, when Towell's cut-back was smashed into the roof of the net by Sean Gannon.
For the second year in a row, Drogheda United's interest in the FAI Cup was ended by Derry City, with the Candystripes recording a comfortable 3-0 win at the Brandywell.
An 18th minute header from Patrick McEleney put the home side on the way, and he turned creator after the break when his free-kick was pushed on the post by Drogheda keeper Schlingermann and Cillian Morrison was on hand to finish from close range. A few minutes later Barry McNamee extended the lead with a 25 yarder into the bottom corner of the net.
Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers clinched a quarter final place for the first time since 2010 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park. The only goal of the game arrived in controversial circumstances in the fourth minute, when Peter McGlynn fired in a cross that was held by Bohs' keeper Dean Delany, but the referee and his assistant ruled that the ball had been carried over the goal line by the keeper.
Sligo Rovers and Longford Town both safely negotiated ties away to non-league opponents. Sligo booked their place in the quarter final draw with a 4-0 win over Cobh Wanderers at St Colman's Park.
The home side began well, but after Dinny Corcoran opened the scoring on the half hour, Raffaele Cretaro and David Cawley added further goals before half time, and Corcoran scored his second of the night after the break.
Ulster League side Cockhill Celtic held Longford Town goalless for over an hour at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds in Donegal, but the breakthrough arrived for the visitors in the shape of an own goal from James Bradley. Lorcan Shannon wrapped up the win with a second goal for Town late on.
AUL champions Sheriff YC have another opportunity to cause a cup upset, after they held First Division Athlone Town to a 2-2 draw at the Clontarf Astro.
The Dublin 1 club knocked out another First Division club UCD in the last round, and twice came from behind to earn a replay, with veteran Town striker Philly Gorman scoring twice for the visitors to take his career tally to 100 goals.
The only non-league side definitely through are Killester United, who recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Tolka Rovers at Frank Cooke Park in the all-Leinster League clash.
United, who beat Cobh Ramblers 3-0 in the last round, take their place in the last eight of the competition for the first time in their history, having yet to concede a goal in the competition.
In the draw for the quarter finals made on Sunday, they were handed a trip to Bray Wanderers, and in the other ties, champions Dundalk will host Sligo Rovers in the tie of the round.
Another all-Premier Division clash will take place at the Brandywell, with last year's beaten finalists Derry City facing Cork City. Elsewhere, Longford Town will host the winner of Athlone Town v Sheriff YC.
All ties will be played on the weekend of 13th September.
Results:
Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Third Round: Bohemians 0 Bray Wanderers 1, Cork City 4 St Patrick's Athletic 0, Derry City 3 Drogheda United 0, Galway United 1 Dundalk 4, Sheriff YC 2 Athlone Town 2, Tolka Rovers 0 Killester United 4.
