Saints book last four place | Airtricity League

Saints book last four place

St Patrick’s Athletic booked their place in the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Fingal at Richmond Park on Saturday.

Ryan Guy, Damian Lynch and Vinny Faherty provided the goals as the Saints sent the current cup holders tumbling out of the competition despite pulling a goal back through Shaun Williams.

The Inchicore club has not lifted this trophy since 1961 and they boosted their chances of ending that long wait by collecting a deserved victory in this encounter.

It was Sporting who actually started with more purpose as Conan Byrne let rip with a half volley that Saints keeper Gary Rogers punched clear before Ronan Finn shot wide.

Eamon Zayed, who was a constant threat, then saw his shot blocked on 18 minutes by Conor Kenna after a cross from Byrne had caused panic in the hosts’ penalty area.

But Pete Mahon’s men shifted up a gear and began to flex their offensive muscles with Ian Bermingham blasting an effort over from distance.

Then on 22 minutes, Guy broke the deadlock. The American put enough pressure on Kenny Browne to steal the ball and made no mistake from close range as he drilled a shot into the back of the net.

That led to a period of dominance from the home side with Derek Doyle, Bermingham and Guy all failing to convert chances that would have given them a greater margin.

After the break, they doubled their lead when Lynch found himself unmarked at a corner kick to meet Jamie O’Brien’s cross and thump a header in from only a few yards out.

However, Sporting gave them a quick reminder that the cup tie was not over yet when Williams scored the best goal of the game with a stunning long-range strike.

The Ravens tried to ignite a comeback with Zayed causing problems when he was moved up front, although they struggled to link play in midfield and break through their opponents backline.

They did have chances though with Finn bringing the best out of Rogers and Zayed hooking a shot just wide, but those misses ultimately cost them.

Substitute Faherty made sure of the win on 86 minutes with a fine effort that was worthy of settling any cup tie. The Saints were deserving winners.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Lynch, Kenna, Bermingham; Guy, Mulcahy, O’Brien (Faherty 71), Byrne, Doyle (Cash 88); North (Stewart 90).

Substitutes Not Used: Hunt, Haverty, Crawley.

SPORTING FINGAL: Quigley; O’Brien, Hawkins, Browne, Frost (Cahill 84); Finn, Williams, Kirby; Byrne (Gannon 79), O’Neill, Zayed (Crowe 73).

Substitutes Not Used: Clarke, Fitzgerald, Dawson, Quinn.

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