Athlone - 1 Shamrock Rovers - 2: Athlone manager Michael O'Connor quipped that Shamrock Rovers' name was on the cup after they came from behind to sink his team with two late goals - the winner right on 90 minutes - before a crowd in excess of 2,000 at Dubarry Park on Saturday night.
Left back Robbie Clarke was the Rovers' hero with a timely first goal of the season to put the 24-times winners of the trophy into the last four.
Athlone were much the better side in the first half, forcing Rovers' goalkeeper Barry Murphy into two terrific saves either side of their lead goal on 38 minutes, central defender Jim Sheridan losing his marker at the far post to head home Colin Fortune's inswinging free-kick.
David Cassidy missed a sitter early in the second half as Rovers continued to struggle to impose themselves on the game.
The turning point came on 82nd minute when Athlone winger Stevie Gavin ended a skilful run with a low shot that came back off the inside of a post. Two minutes later Gerard Rowe availed of a ricochet to equalise with an opportunist, looping header.
Then in the final minute Pádraig Amond and then Rowe, with a one-two, set up Clarke whose right-foot shot arrowed to the net from around 20.
"I don't get many goals with either foot so I was just delighted with it," said Clarke. "It was my first goal of the season and a nice time to get it. You have to be happy to get one in the last minute of a cup quarter-final to win the match."
ATHLONE TOWN: O'Leary; Rossiter, Hope, Sheridan, Williamson; Gavin, Rushe (Feeney, 78 mins), Fortune, Moran (Carberry, 52 mins); Lavine, McGee.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; G O'Brien, Kenny, Price, Clarke; Duffy, Cassidy, Perth, O'Connor (E McGill, 48 mins); Amond, Rowe.
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
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