Rovers come from behind to dump Shels out of the cup
Two goals in a minute after the break did the damage for The Hoops who continued their Tolka Park hoodoo over the Reds - unbeaten in five now in Drumcondra - despite falling behind to an excellent team goal, finished off by Pearl Slattery in the first half.
With maybe a potential hint of revenge stirring in visitors dressing room following last season's dramatic loss at the same stage, in which a jubilant Jemma Quinn planted the Shelbourne flag in the middle of the Tallaght pitch, the Hoops started brightly with flying wingers Anna Butler and Ella Kelly looking to get in behind the Shels back three on every occasion.
But the home side, who now sit top of the tightly contested league table having leapfrogged Athlone Town at the summit racking up three wins on the spin, showed good patience and played their way into the hotly contested encounter.
With little in the way of goalmouth action, it took until just after 20-minutes for the first shot in anger and was well worth the wait for the 705 in attendance.
Started by last week's match winner against Waterford, Alex Kavanagh, the home side put together a passing move of the highest quality followed by a majestic turn and pass by Aoibheann Clancy in the middle.
The Irish international then played a perfectly weighted slide rule pass to Slattery, who had stayed forward following an earlier set-piece, and the skipper finished with all the quality of seasoned number nine through the legs of Summer Lawless.
The hosts then went close to doubling their lead shortly after when Noelle Murray sprayed a wonderful left footed pass on the diagonal finding Mackenzie Anthony who broke the offside trap and hit a rasping effort that was agonisingly close to finding the near top corner, catching Lawless off guard.
Having nicked a win at Tolka earlier in the season, and having relative success in recent times Stephanie Zambra's side held no fear and kept plugging away but were dealt a huge blow just before the break when Maria Reynolds looked distraught picking up an injury.
On the stroke of half time Anthony really should have gotten herself on the scoresheet when Scarlett Herron slipped on a through ball and spilled into the American's path. Anthony again missed the target by a matter of inches dragging her low shot just wide of the target.
After a slight tactical change that saw Aine O'Gorman switch to right back following Reynolds injury, Zambra must have also read her side the riot act as her side punished Shels misses with two goals in a minute to completely flip the game on its head.
Firstly, the towering Scarlett Herron powered in a back post header from a deep corner before Anna Butler nipped in to take advantage of a sloppy Keeva Kenna pass straight from the resulting tip off and slotted home to give her side the lead.
With a sense of anxiety beginning to swirl around Tolka, it was Wearen's turn to look to the bench introducing the match winner from last seasons quarter final Megan Smyth-Lynch and the exciting young Maeve Wollmer.
With 15 minutes left the latter spurned yet another chance for the home side as she found herself free at the back post but somehow screwed her shot back across goal from a couple of yards out.
With time running out the visitors frustrated the home side with some intricate play in the final third and continued to carry a goal threat but it was now or never for Shels as they threw the kitchen sink at Rovers.
In a dramatic ending, the talismanic Murray curled a stunning effort off the bar that, most inside the ground thought was destined for the top corner, and with a couple of minutes left Kavanagh played an inch perfect ball over the top onto Anthony's chest, who rounded Lawless with her first touch.
Just as it looked as if the Shels striker was tapping home into an empty net, somehow the Rovers stopper got back around to claw the goal bound strike away with one of the saves of the season to ensure her side progressed to the semi-final.
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Nia Hannon (Maeve Wollmer, 67'), Pearl Slattery, Keeva Keenan (Jemma Quinn, 83'); Jess Gargan, Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 72'), Aoibheann Clancy, Leah Doyle; Noelle Murray, Mackenzie Anthony
Subs not used: Courtney Maguire, Rebecca Devereux, Gabriella Del Pico, Lucy O'Rourke, Aoife Sheridan, Sarah McCaffrey
Shamrock Rovers: Summer Lawless; Fiona Owens, Scarlett Herron, Maria Reynolds (Claire O'Reilly, 46'), Aoife Brophy; Anna Butler (Della Cowper-Gray, 88'), Melissa O'Kane, Jamie Thompson, Ella Kelly; Aine O'Gorman, Emily Corbet
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish athletes compete at World Transplant Games this week
Athletes from Cork, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary are among the organ transplant recipients competing at the World Transplant Games this week in Germany. The Irish team of 28 includes people from 13 counties, and they face more than 2,000 competitors across 17 sports in Dresden. Team manager Harry Ward, who had a kidney transplant in 2007, said: 'This is a celebration of life, a tribute to the heroes who gave us a second chance, and a rallying cry of the benefits of organ donation. 'My transplant changed everything,' he said. 'I remember my donor every single day. Now, I want to show the world what organ donation makes possible.' At any one time, up to 600 people in Ireland are waiting for a transplant. 'These athletes are living proof that organ donation works and saves lives,' Mr Ward said. One living donor is also competing: Ivan Kinahan, from Dublin, gave his kidney to his son Sam. Transplant Sport Ireland team captain Harry Ward with kit day inspirational speaker Rachel Blackmore. File picture Mairéad O'Mahony, from Berrings, North Cork, had a bone marrow transplant 28 years ago. Her brother Willie was her donor. Speaking about returning to running with this team, she said: 'I felt that I was reconnecting with something I loved so much, which was taken from me on my cancer diagnosis. I was so excited to potentially achieve some of the dreams which, as a 17-year-old, I thought were gone forever. 'It means the world to me to represent Ireland in the Games. I am so proud to wear the Irish kit, and it really is a dream come true.' Marie O'Connor, from Lahinch in Clare, had a kidney transplant in 1998. 'That just changed my life,' she said. 'I am still here today, and it is because of my donor to whom I will be forever grateful.' Trevor Lynch, from Limerick and living in England, had two bone marrow transplants after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012. Guest speaker Rachel Blackmore with some members of the Transplant Sport Ireland team — Hugh Nolan, Doneraile, Amanda O'Neill Coyne, Youghal, Mairead O'Mahony, Berrings, Val Weblin, Drimoleague, Pat O'Sullivan, Mallow, and Mike Keohane, Rosscarbery. File picture 'It was great to be part of a team of athletes who have all had similar life-changing experiences,' he said. 'This gave me something to focus on other than worrying about what if I relapsed again. It allowed me to enjoy the second chance at life which I received.' Bryan Duignan, from Tipperary and living in Carlow, is also proud to pull on the green jersey. He had a kidney transplant almost 20 years ago, which gave the former GAA player back his love of sport. Last year, he raced in an Ironman 70.3 and in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. 'Both of these took a lot of time and training — something I couldn't have done before I got my transplant — so I will forever be grateful for my donor and the gift I received.' Pat O'Sullivan, from Mallow, had a kidney transplant in 2015. 'I've climbed a mountain in Croatia. Before my transplant, climbing a stairs was difficult,' he said. 'My life has totally changed.' You can follow the team online at
The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Late Burke penalty for Shamrock Rovers breaks Longford's brave resistance
Shamrock Rovers 2 Longford Town 1 Paul Buttner reports from Tallaght Stadium SHAMROCK ROVERS NEEDED to prove spot on as Longford Town paid a cruel price to bow out of the FAI Cup after a gallant rearguard effort at Tallaght Stadium. Penalties early and late from Adam Matthews and substitute Graham Burke ended the First Division strugglers' brave resistance as Rovers laboured into Tuesday's quarter-final draw. There was no surprise that Rovers' boss Stephen Bradley made nine changes to last Thursday's Conference League win over FC Ballkani as he freshened up his starting XI ahead of Thursday's trip to the Azores to meet Santa Clara in their big play-off. Sitting third bottom of the second tier, Longford came to Tallaght as 30-1 outsiders. Scarcely surprising then that Rovers owned the ball from the kick off and were ahead from an eighth minute penalty. It stemmed from a needless push on John McGovern by Town centre-back Oisin Hand with the Rovers striker duly stepping up to send goalkeeper Kian Moore the wrong way from 12 yards. Advertisement Though a far from ideal start, Longford responded positively, coming close to an equaliser two minutes later. Danny Norris and Dean O'Shea combined to put Aaron Doran in on goal down the left. The midfielder's flick had just too much on it as it sailed over Ed McGinty's crossbar. Proving no little threat on the counter, Town soon gave Rovers another scare with Cory O'Sullivan having to get his body in the way to block a drive from Norris. Having grown in confidence, the visitors then gave their small band of travelling support plenty to cheer when levelling on 25 minutes when Rovers didn't deal with Town skipper Dean O'Shea's long throw. The ball was recycled back by Doran and Pharell Manuel in turn for O'Shea to nod it into the path of Stefan Ugbesia to shoot past McGinty. Concerted pressure in added time at the end of the half came close to restoring Rovers lead. Town survived thanks to Sean Moore heading O'Sullivan's shot off the line with Matthews, who had taken the initial corner, then seeing his follow-up shot shave the crossbar. Labouring to regain the lead despite continuing to dominate the ball, Bradley made a quadruple substitution just past the hour as Dylan Watts, Burke, Danny Grant and Aaron Greene were introduced in an effort to add much needed invention and spark to their attack. But it was 15 minutes before they troubled Moore, Watts chipping through for Greene whose header was straight at the Longford goalkeeper. A Lee Grace header from a Watts corner was scrambled clear while Moore punched away a dangerous cross before Longford were undone in the 84th minute. Andrew Spain's elbow made contact with Grant's ball into the area as referee Alan Patchell pointed to the spot for the second time in the game. Burke drilled the penalty low and hard to the bottom corner as Moore went the other way. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Matthews, Grace, O'Sullivan; Barrett (Mandroiu, 76), O'Neill (Burke, 61); Clarke (Grant, 61), Nugent, Kavanagh (Watts, 61); Noonan, McGovern (Greene, 61). Longford Town: K. Moore; Yoro, Hand, Spain, O'Shea; Ugbesia (Wade-Slater, 66), Manuel (Topcu, 66), S. Moore, Doran (James, 90+5), Norris (George, 90+5); Murtagh (Campbell, 66). Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin). Attendance: 1,744.
The Journal
6 hours ago
- The Journal
Melia and Forrester fire Pat's past Shelbourne and into FAI Cup quarter-finals
The 42 St. Patrick's Athletic 2 Shelbourne 0 Darryl Geraghty reports from Richmond Park ST. PATS OVERCAME Shelbourne to book their place in the FAI Cup quarter final after a breathless encounter in Inchicore. A stunning Mason Melia finish and a coolly taken Chris Forrester penalty proved enough for the 2023 winners. With the likes of Derry City and Bohemians falling at this hurdle over the weekend and judging by the rip-roaring start, both sets of players didn't want to follow suit, knowing this would be their only chance of silverware of the season. Having rested a host of first team players for their trip to Istanbul during the week – in Pat's put in a spirited performance against Turkish giants Besiktas, coming away with a narrow 3-2 loss having been two up - Stephen Kenny brought back all the big hitters, making seven changes. In the blistering heat of Dublin 8, the visitors could be forgiven for having an eye on Thursday's season defining first leg clash on Thursday night against the familiar foe in Linfield, but it definitely didn't seem the case as they had the ball in the back of the net within three minutes. Ali Coote clipped a lovely weighted ball in behind the Saints back line for John Martin who finished clinically with his left, only to see the flag go up for a marginal offside. Pat's meanwhile had the raucous home fans on their feet when the exciting Simon Power's whipped cross just evaded the far post. In one of the most relentless openings to a game all season, the champions flew straight down the other end and were left wondering how they weren't in front. Firstly, former Cork City man Milan Mbeng saw his towering header smack off the crossbar and away to safety, and JJ Lunney then clipped a pin-point ball onto the head of the unmarked Martin but he couldn't hit the target this time from just 12 yards out. There were huge calls for a penalty from the home side when Power's deflected cross seemed to spin up awkwardly and catch Shels skipper Mark Coyle on the arm but referee Paul McLoughlin waved away the vociferous protests. Just after the half hour mark, Shels were forced into a change when Conor Kearns' return from injury was brought to an abrupt end having dived to collect a headed back pass. Advertisement The home side began to settle into their rhythm having weathered the early storm and enjoyed large spells of possession, forcing Shels into a back five at times with Jake Mulraney looking threatening but frustratingly lacking that final ball or shot on target having done all the hard work. And on the stroke of halftime Pat's – who hadn't beaten the Reds this season prior to today – got the goal their dominance deserved through Mason Melia. The Tottenham bound-teenager collected Simon Power's square ball just outside the area and, with an outstanding first touch, pushed the ball forward between two Shels players and burst into the area. His second touch was even better as he swept the ball past substitute keeper Lorcan Healy without breaking stride to bag his 11th goal of the season. Mason Melia at his brilliant best just before the break to put us in the lead, great pass by Simon Power too Our 2025 goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) August 17, 2025 Former Irish international Joey O'Brien responded with two further subs after the break, introducing Kerr McInroy and James Norris to give his side a slightly more attacking look. But just six minutes after the restart it was the hosts who earned a huge chance to double their lead when Kameron Ledwidge was adjudged to have blocked Jamie Lennon's downward header with his arm. Chris Forrester took charge of the situation and made no mistake sending Healy the wrong way from 12 yards to send the home fans wild. With nothing to lose, Shels threw bodies forward in the desperate hope of setting up a grandstand finish. Harry Wood saw a 20-yard strike sail just over before the visitors spurned two glorious one-on-one chances to half the deficit. With a quarter of an hour remaining Daniel Kelly broke the offside trap, latching onto a clever ball over the top but was quickly smothered by Joseph Anang as he tried to slip the ball under the onrushing keeper, and second later fellow substitute Mipo Odubeko found himself facing up to the Ghanaian stopper but managed to poke the ball past the 25-year old but also inches wide of the far post. To their credit the home side showed great composure to see out the remaining minutes, to deservedly put their name in the hat for the quarter final. St. Patrick's Athletic: Joseph Anang; Ryan McLoughlin (Carl Axel Sjoberg, 75'), Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland; Chris Forrester (Barry Baggley, 83'), Jamie Lennon, Brandon Kavanagh; Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy, 68'), Simon Power (Al-Amin Kazeem, 75'), Mason Melia Shelbourne: Conor Kearns (Lorcan Healy, 33'); Sean Gannon, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge; Milan Mbeng, Ali Coote, JJ Lunney (Mipo Odubeko, 68'), Mark Coyle (Kerr McInroy, 46'), Evan Caffrey (James Norris, 46'); Harry Wood, John Martin (Daniel Kelly, 68') Referee: Paul McLoughlin Written by Darryl Geraghty and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
