ST PATRICK'S Athletic booked their place in the quarter finals of the FAI Harp Lager Cup when they survived a tough assignment at Sligo Show Grounds on Saturday night.
A tense and fiercely contested encounter was finally settled by a smart piece of finishing by St Patrick's top scorer, Martin Reilly. In the 60th minute Ricky O'Flaherty's persistent run unhinged the Sligo defence and presented the lively Reilly with the opening to hammer a shot to the roof of the net.
St Patrick's always threatened to be more lethal on their raids into Sligo territory and only a spectacular diving save by Nicky Broujos prevented Reilly from giving the Dubliners the lead in the 29th minute.
The closest Sligo came to making the breakthrough was 10 minutes after the restart when Steve Berks headed narrowly wide after substitute Donagh Oates had created the opportunity.
After Reilly had given St Patrick's the lead, Sligo stepped up the pace and man of the match, John McDonnell, came to his side's rescue in the 71st minute with a dramatic goal line clearance after Birks header at the near post from Kelly's corner kick had beaten keeper, Brian McKenna.
