Dundalk into Setanta Cup semis

Soccer – Setanta Sports Cup Round-up:There were goals galore between Cliftonville and Crusaders while Dundalk and Glentoran played out a 1-1 draw in their Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final second leg, which was enough for the League of Ireland side to advance to the last four 2-1 on aggregate.

Ross Gaynor was the saviour for Dundalk as his 80th minute strike was enough to ensure their passage to the semi-finals. The left winger raced on to a Mark Quigley pass before slotting the ball past Elliott Morris and ease the nerves around Oriel Park.

The game’s kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes due to crowd congestion and when both sides took to the pitch, they were as wasteful as each other.

Quigley and Daniel Kearns tried to inject some flair into the game with Quigley playing through Jason Byrne in the 25th minute only for the chance to falter. The Dundalk players reversed roles two minutes later but this time it was Quigley who fluffed his lines.

Glentoran began creating chances of the their own through Grant Gardiner, Jimmy Gallacher and Jason Hill.

In the 53rd minute the visitors had a gilt-edged chance to level the tie when referee Richie Winter awarded a penalty after adjudging Shane Guthrie to have handled in the area. It mattered not, however, for Andrew Waterworth squandered the chance after blasting over the bar from the spot.

Remarkably the Glens had another chance from the spot six minutes later when Peter Cherrie brought down Matty Burrows. This time Burrows dusted himself down and leveled the tie.

Dundalk almost restored their aggregate lead just after the hour mark with Colin Hawkins then Byrne both going close.

Glentoran were then reduced to 10 men when Johnny Taylor was sent off for a second yellow card in the 77th minute.

It was a preamble to Dundalk’s celebrations as Gaynor completed a fine move between Quigley and Keith Ward to ensure their place in the competition’s last four with his 80th minute goal.

In the all Irish League encounter Cliftonville were 6-4 winners over Crusaders on the night to win through to the semis by a staggering 10-6 on aggregate.

Setanta Sports Cup Quarter-final second leg

Dundalk 1-1 Glentoran
(Dundalk win 2-1 on aggregate)

Crusaders 4-6 Cliftonville
(Cliftonville win 10-6 on aggregate)