Soccer

FAI Cup round-up: Penalty agony for Derry again as St Pat’s end their reign

Saints prevail at the Brandywell as Michael Duffy and Mark Connolly miss crucial spot-kicks

St Patrick’s Athletic players celebrate their victory in the penalty shoot-out following victory over Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho
St Patrick’s Athletic players celebrate their victory in the penalty shoot-out following victory over Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho
Sun Aug 20 2023 - 21:10

Derry City 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 0

(St Pat’s win 4-3 on pens after extra time)

St Patrick’s Athletic, winners of the FAI Cup in 2021, put current holders Derry City out of this year’s competition following a thrilling penalty shoot-out at the Brandywell.

And for the Candystripes this was a case of devastation for the second time in just four days having also lost out on penalties in the Europa Conference League on Thursday last in Tallaght Stadium against F.C. Tobol from Kazakhstan.

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For the home side it was yet another cruel end to their involvement in a major competition, despite playing so well.

However, their failure to find the net, a problem which has plagued the Foyleside club for so long, proved hugely significant yet again.

Fully credit to Jon Daly’s side who defended resolutely throughout the game, happy to close Derry down and take full advantage of fatigue which also played its part in this defeat.

Derry led in the shoot-out after three penalties, with Jake Mulraney missing for St Pat’s. However, Derry’s Michael Duffy missed his spot kick to level matters again before Mark Connolly also missed with the final spot kick and it was victory to the visiting Saints.

Keen to start on the front foot, Derry threatened with Adam O’Reilly, Paul McMullan, Brandon Kavanagh and Cameron Dummigan all failing to hit the target when well placed before the men from Inchicore threatened.

Happy to defend in numbers when necessary, St Pat’s threatened on the break with Derry midfielder, O’Reilly ‘taking one for the team’ when clattering into St Pat’s Conor Carty as the striker attempted to break forward, referee Neil Doyle immediately producing an opening yellow card.

Carty crashed down to earth in the 28th minute when towering defender Shane McEleney rose above the striker to clear the danger.

On the hour John-Alan McGrath got an important block on a Will Patching shot on the edge of the penalty area as Derry began to up the ante. However, with Carty making a nuisance of himself, the Derry defence needed to be alert.

But Pat’s went close to breaking the deadlock when Carty worked his way into the Derry box but his lofted effort from the angle failed to find the net as the home side breathed a sigh of relief.

On the stroke of half-time Chris Forrester broke with pace before sliding the ball to his right into the path of the advancing Curtis and his low shot was diverted wide of the target by keeper, Brian Maher, at the expense of a corner. It was a great chance for the visitors.

Derry opened the second half in a determined fashion but despite working their way in behind the visiting defence, the failed to trouble keeper, Dean Lyness.

And an injury to Shane McEleney didn’t help Derry’s cause with the defender added to what appears to be a lengthy injury list at the Brandywell. He was replaced by the experienced Mark Connolly.

Clearly feeling the exhaustion of so many games during their Europa Conference League commitments, Derry began to show signs of fatigue.

With Michael Duffy and Sadou Diallo entering the fray, the home side produced a superb move playing against the blustery wind. In the 75th minute a cross from the busy Brandon Kavanagh was met by McGonigle and his glancing header was touched over the crossbar by Lyness.

St Pat’s continued to push forward with the wind at their backs and substitute Michael Lonergan did well to meet a cross from the right, his header superbly saved by Derry keeper Maher in the 77nd minute.

Derry threatened again when Patching’s curling free-kick crashed against the upright with Lyness struggling minutes later.

The final play at the end of the first period of extra-time saw a teasing cross from Ben Doherty met by Kavanagh but his goal-bound header crashed off Danny Mullan, the ball diverted wide of the target.

With the wind certainly having an impact, the attendance of just under 3,000 were on their feet as penalties were signalled

Derry City: Maher; Boyce (Diallo, 70), S. McEleney (Connolly, 60), McJannet, Coll; Dummigan (Mullen, 75), O’Reilly; McMullan (Duffy, 70), Patching (P. McEleney, 105) B. Kavanagh; McGonigle (Doherty, 77).

St Pat’s Ahletic: Lyness; Curtis, Redmond, McGrath, Breslin; Lennon, Murphy (Nolan, 87); McClelland (Mulraney, 77) , Forrester, Doyle (Leavy); Carty (Lonergan, 72, Melia, 116)

Referee: N. Doyle (Dublin)

Wexford through to quarter-finals

In the other second round tie, Wexford progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 victory over Leinster Senior League side, St. Patrick’s CY.

Darragh Levinston’s 42nd minute strike saw them through at Irishtown Stadium.