Dundalk end long wait for a cup final slot Tonight

SOCCER: SETANTA SPORTS CUP SEMI-FINAL: Dundalk 2 Cliftonville 1: DUNDALK BOOKED their spot in the final after goals from Jason Byrne and Johnny Breen at Oriel Park last night.

Byrne's goal cancelled out Kieran O'Connor's 59th-minute effort for the Belfast side, before substitute Breen's injury-time winner ensured the home side their first cup final appearance since the FAI Cup in 2002.

Dundalk raced from the traps, creating two clear chances in the opening 10 minutes.

Mark Quigley should have scored his sixth goal of the competition, but shot weakly at Jack Duffin from eight yards after shrugging off the attentions of Peter Hutton.

Quigley then turned provider for Jason Byrne in the 10th minute, knocking the ball nicely into his team-mate's path. Unfortunately for Byrne, his fierce drive swerved just wide of Duffin's post.

Cliftonville almost found themselves back in the tie in the 19th minute. Conal Burns cut in from the right and took on Nathan Murphy before cracking a low drive across the goal which Peter Cherrie did well to tip behind.

Dundalk were let off the hook 11 minutes later. Eamonn Seydak's neat flick sent Stephen Garrett scarpering away on the left. His cross found Burns at the far post, but he could only head badly wide.

The tie came to life just shy of the hour mark when Cliftonville managed to pull in front. Full back Liam Fleming played a high ball towards the near post and Kieran O'Connor managed to get between Hector and Colin Hawkins to guide a header past Cherrie and haul Tommy Breslin's men back into the semi-final.

The home crowd's nerves were settled in the 67th minute. Ross Gaynor was the architect, winning the ball back from Burns on the touchline before delivering a world-class delivery which Byrne headed home via the crossbar.

The result was put beyond doubt in time added on when Breen cooly tucked the ball home after being picked out by Byrne.

DUNDALK:Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy; Kearns (Breen 76), Ward, McDonnell, Gaynor; Quigley, Byrne.

CLIFTONVILLE:Duffin; Fleming, Hutton (Kane 84), McVeigh, Seydak (Bannon 80), Burns, McMullen, Lynch (Donnelly 70), Garrett, Scannell, O'Connor.

Referee: Alan Black (Antrim).