FAI Cup Report: Sheriff YC 2 - 2 Athlone Town

Sheriff YC and Athlone Town must meet again on Monday evening at the Athlone Town Stadium after the sides played out an entertaining two all draw at Clontarf Astro on Friday evening.

In a game that many fancied could cause an upset the home side started the game brightly, first Stewart Glen broke the offside trap after a lovely weighted ball from Darren Dunne, but the midfielder could not trouble Paddy Dunican in the Town goal.

Athlone gradually grew into the first half, but it was John Lester with the first effort on target after his long range effort sailed into the keeper's hands. Despite having to chase the ball during the opening period of the game, it was the visitors who took the lead after Daniel Purdy slipped Philip Gorman in and the forward made no mistake one-on-one with Lee Murphy in the Sheriff goal.

Moments later Athlone thought they had got off to a dream start after Jamie O’Neill had the ball in the net, but the winger was adjudged to be offside after latching on to a knockdown from a teammate.

A long range free-kick from Purdy then trouble Lee Murphy, after taking a deflection, however - the keeper managed to get an outstretched leg to the ball to deflect it away for a corner.

Despite having to weather the storm from Athlone, Sheriff equalised after a long ball forward from Mark Higgins found Kevin Lynch, whose delivery found an unmarked Glen who headed home from close range.

After equalising the home side then began to assert their dominance on the game and Town keeper Dunican was forced to deny the hosts on several occasions - first Higgins cut in from the right before rifling an effort which the keeper pushed away. Minutes later the keeper’s reflexes would be tested again after Glen played a brilliant ball to Lynch, whose strike forced Dunican into a diving save.

After the break it was the away side who had the half first chance of note, when Aidan Friel forced a good stop from Murphy.

As the game approached the hour mark, it would again spark into light first Thomas Dunne would force a brilliant stop from Dunican, before seconds later Athlone would restore their lead when David Browne was adjudged to have fouled Thomas Mulrooney, referee Robert Harvey was in doubt awarding a spot kick which Gorman would sent Murphy the wrong way.

Athlone’s lead would last just two minutes after the ball fell to John Rock in the penalty area and the forward allowed the ball to bounce once before volleying the ball right footed into the top corner.

The home side’s shot stopper would soon again be called into action after a brilliant ball from Derek Doyle found Gorman and his effort from close range forced Murphy to push the ball behind.

With the game continuing to ebb and flow, Higgins would again force Dunican into action after a weak Stephen Dunne header fell to the midfielder and he struck from 35 yards with his dipping shot forces the keeper into an excellent save.

As the sides begin to tire, Athlone had two great opportunities to snatch a late goal which would surely have sent them into the next round, first Stephen Dunne headed over from a Purdy corner - moments later, Purdy would again be involved when his dangerous free kick from distance was headed away for a corner by the Sheriff defence.

Sheriff YC: Lee Murphy, Anthony Kavanagh, Joseph Flood, David Browne, Kevin Lynch, John Lester, Darren Dunne, Stewart Glen (Sean Murphy 87), Mark Higgins, Thomas Dunne, John Rock

Subs Not Used: Peter Halpin, Daniel Joyce, Paul Murphy, Alan McCabe, Jeff Flood, Gavin Carroll

Yellow Card: Glen (63), D. Dunne (67)

Athlone Town: Paddy Dunican, Aidan Collins (James O’Donnell HT), Stephen Dunne, Conor Dunne, Aidan Friel, Jamie O’Neill (Derek Doyle 31), Gavin Boyle, Thomas Mulrooney, Sam O’Connor, Daniel Purdy, Philip Gorman

Subs Not Used: Colm Murray, Ian Fletcher, Adam Kelly, Daniel Molloy, Cian O’Sullivan

Yellow Card: Friel (8), Mulrooney (74)

Referee: Robert Harvey

Attendance:  350 (Estimate)

Extratime Man Of The Match: Mark Higgins (Sheriff YC)