Sporting Fingal advance in gripping tie
15/09/2009 - 23:14:50Shamrock Rovers 1 Sporting Fingal 2 (After extra-time)
Alan Kirby was the Sporting Fingal hero, scoring both goals in a gripping quarter-final replay as 10-man Rovers’ long unbeaten run came to an end, and with it their dreams of making the FAI Ford Cup final back at Tallaght Stadium in November.
Kirby shot First Division Sporting in front on eight minutes when Gary O’Neill latched onto a slip by defender Aidan Price to cross for the winger to score.
Rovers levelled at the beginning of the second half when Stephen Bradley shot home a penalty after Shane McFaul pulled down Ross Chisholm.
With no further goals in 90 minutes, a thrilling extra-time period unfolded.
Rovers had defender Craig Sives sent off on 107 minutes for a foul on Brian Gannon, his second booking.
Sporting then regained the lead, for what would proved to be the winner, five minutes later when Kirby fired home from the spot following a foul on Robbie Doyle.
Incredibly, Rovers were thrown a life line in the final minute of extra-time when Sporting skipper Stephen Paisley brought down Padraig Amond. Tallaght native Bradley, however, blazed his spot kick over the bar.
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