Penalty kings take cup back home

Shelbourne 1 Sligo Rovers 1 (after extra-time, Sligo win 4-1 on penalties):Ciaran Kelly was the Sligo Rovers hero for the second year in a row, the penalty specialist saving two efforts as Paul Cook's side retained the FAI Cup trophy after another shootout at the Aviva Stadium.

Kelly, who kept out four efforts when the final went to a shootout last year, was brought on in the last minute of extra-time and duly delivered for his side. The legality of his saves could be called into question, with the goalkeeper clearly well off his line, but referee Richie Winter let it go and Sligo were able to celebrate another famous win, becoming just the fifth club to retain the FAI Cup.

Sligo enjoyed all the early pressure without creating any clear cut chances and almost fell behind after 29 minutes when Barry Clancy got across his marker but his powerful header crashed against the crossbar.

It was only to be a temporary reprieve, however, as Philly Hughes opened the scoring with the very next attack. Sligo, with the meanest defence in the top flight, failed to clear the danger and when the ball was lobbed back into the area Brendan Clarke dithered and Hughes nipped in to prod the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Shelbourne were left fuming six minutes later when Clancy saw red in controversial circumstances. Having just been booked, the midfielder was then sent clear only to go down in the box under John Russell’s challenge.

While the Shelbourne fans behind the goal bayed for a penalty, Winter had other ideas, brandishing a second yellow card for a perceived dive and handing Clancy his marching orders. It was an undeniably harsh decision, and Shelbourne were immediately under severe pressure.

With Sligo practically owning the ball, the equaliser seemed inevitable but Shels made it to the sanctuary of half-time with their noses in front, John Russell going closest to gaining parity but his header was inches over.

But the second half was only three minutes old before Sligo got back on terms, Iarfhlaith Davoren’s shot somehow beating Dean Delaney on his near post. Eoin Doyle should have put Sligo in front five minutes later, but when the striker was picked out by John Dillon on the six yard line he was only able to stab his effort into the waiting hands of Delaney.

Matthew Blinkhorn, on as a substitute as Sligo went for the jugular, had two excellent chances to win it in normal time only to be denied by Delaney on both occasions and try as they might Sligo couldn’t find the decisive goal.

The pattern continued in extra-time, with Shelbourne hanging on for dear life, but when the game went to a shootout the penalty kings were not to be denied.