LEAGUE champions St Patrick's Athletic all but booked their quarter final place in the FAI League Cup with a powerful 2-0 dismissal of Home Farm Everton at Richmond Park last night. St Patrick's second successive win puts them two points clear at the top of Group E and, barring a heavy loss to Shelbourne in their third game on Sunday, they are through.
Ricky O'Flaherty hit a post before Eddie Gormley put St Patrick's in front on 16 minutes with a delightful goal. Referee Denis McKenna played a good ad vantage after O'Flaherty was fouled which allowed Brian Morris Roe play Gormley in to score from 10 yards.
Another sweeping move involving Morris Roe, O'Flaherty and Martin Reilly's cross gave the home side their second goal when John Glynn tapped the ball home at the far post after 34 minutes.
Sligo Rovers' Padraig Moran was sent off for a challenge from behind on Paul Hegarty after 26 minutes of Group B's big northwest derby with Derry City at the Brandywell. Derry played both new signings, the prodigal Liam Coyle and goalkeeper Declan Devine. Patti Curran put Derry in front with a headed goal from a James Keddy cross from Gary Beckett's short corner alter 12 minutes.
A splendid move salvaged a point for 10 man Sligo on 64 minutes when Mark Hutchison crossed for man of the match James Mulligan to head home.
In last night's other Group B game at Traigh A Locha, Fanad United also came from behind to draw 1-1 with Finn Harps. Harps' top marksman Jonathan Speak gave them a 16th minute lead, but former Harps player Colm McGonigle equalised mid way through the second half.
Bohemians and Bray Wanderers swapped penalties inside a minute of the first half in their Group F tie at Dalymount Park. Bray's Kieran O'Brien shot his side in front on 36 minutes after the returned from injury Robbie Best had taken him down. Immediately, Bohemians were level, when Tommy Byrne found the target after Anthony McKeever had fouled Brian Mooney.
In Group A, Kilkenny had the better of the exchanges but still lost 1-0 at home to Waterford United. Substitute Michael Downey got the only goal of the game two minutes from time, just after Kilkenny missed a great chance.
Another substitute, Richard Wheatley, also registered the only score as Longford Town beat Monaghan United at Gortakeegan in Group D.
In Group C, Galway United struggled to overcome UCG, winning thanks to two second half goals from Conor Killeen alter 49 minutes and Aidan Forde four minutes into injury time.
