Kilkenny City ... 0 Shamrock Rovers ... 1: They threatened for a long period, and eventually Shamrock Rovers got the golden strike in the 81st minute that drove them through to their third successive semi-final appearance in the FAI Cup. Super sub Noel Hunt cracked home a ball knocked over from the back post by Tony Grant.
While Rovers were very ordinary during the opening period they stepped up a gear afterwards and slowly ground their opponents into submission.
Before Hunt's golden strike Rovers might have scored twice. In the 57th minute, a cross from the left received two home defenders but with the goal at his mercy Grant had the ball whipped off his foot.
In the 69th minute, Kilkenny's goalkeeper, David O'Neill, brought off a blinding save. A cross from the right by Grant was headed down firmly by Hunt, but the goalkeeper dived full length to bring off the save of the match.
Moments later Rovers had a penalty appeal rejected following a tackle on Richie Byrne. However, their superiority was growing ever stronger and it was no surprise when Kilkenny eventually wilted.
The second half was in contrast to the first, when Rovers failed to make the home goalkeeper make a save. Indeed, the first division challengers might have gone in front in the 25th minute. A splendidly struck free-kick by Stephen Murphy forced Rovers's goalkeeper, Robbie Horgan, to dive full length before tipping the ball away to safety.
Rovers were all business after the turn and while it took them a considerable time to get the all important goal, it had been threatening for a while.
KILKENNY CITY: O'Neill, Wolfe, Murphy, M Andrews, Whittle, D Mulcahy,Tynan (Rickard 87 mins), O'Toole (N Andrews 34 mins), O'Connor (Delahunty 75 mins), Sweeney, Mulcahy,
SHAMROCK ROVERS; Horgan, O'Keeffe, Byrne, Colwell (Kenny 20 mins), Palmer, Scully, Doyle, T Grant, Francis (Hunt 56 mins), Deans, S Grant (Robinson 64 mins).
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)
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