FAI Cup round-up: St Pat’s avoid upset away to Longford Town as Derry City see off Athlone

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St Patrick’s Athletic survived an FAI Cup scare away to First Division Longford Town at Bishopsgate on Sunday evening.

The 2021 cup winners had to wait until the 63rd minute to score against the Red and Black, with midfielder Adam Murphy getting on the scoresheet.

But Longford did not fade away and they eventually equalised through Mohamed Boudiaf with 77 minutes on the clock.

The former Drogheda United player blasted home from the edge of the penalty area after Dylan Hand’s long throw-in caused chaos for the Saints.

However, Jon Daly’s side emerged from that to retake the lead via a penalty kick. Chris Forrester beat Jack Brady to score after Aaron Walsh felled Tommy Lonergan.

Longford were then reduced to ten men soon after as Hand rather innocuously collided with Sam Curtis as the Athletic countered.

Brady then received his marching orders for a similar incident as he took down the same player as the last man back.

But it was job done for the Saints as they avoided suffered a scare on the road while Longford can take a number of positives from their defeat as they return to league action on Saturday night against Cobh Ramblers.

Meanwhile, holders Derry City strolled to a 3-0 win over Athlone Town.



But it was only late on before the Candystripes made the game safe thanks to late goals from Brandon Kavanagh and Michael Duffy.

Will Patching’s spot-kick gave them a first-half lead earlier on.

Elsewhere, St Patrick’s CYFC dumped Lucan United out of the competition thanks to a thrilling 3-2 win.

Former Longford Town and Bray Wanderers striker Joe Doyle opened the scoring for St Pat’s CY before Dave Mooney – also formerly of Longford Town – levelled in the 38th minute.

But their parity did not last very long as Ben Hanrahan restored their one-goal lead before the interval.



Mooney once again levelled in the 89th minute with extra-time looking a certainty before Mark Ovie struck in injury time to seal a famous win for the Ringsend side.

In the other all non-league tie of the round, Skerries Town beat Pat Scully’s Portlaoise 3-0.

The former Shamrock Rovers boss was unable to help his new side avoid defeat as Robert McKenna’s brace and a late Jack Mullin sealed Skerries’ progression to the second round.

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