Page 8 - COBH WANDERERS V SLIGO ROVERS FAI CUP 3RD ROUND 2015

2015 Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup
The FAI Senior Cup is regarded by many as the most
prestigious cup competition in Irish football.
Comprising of the twenty senior League of Ireland clubs
as well as sixteen intermediate and four junior clubs,
it pits the best sides in the country against each-other
with the final taking place in the Aviva Stadium. The
clubs who reach the last-sixteen of the Intermediate
Cup qualify, as do the four Junior Cup semi-finalists.
The first round of the tournament in April saw eight
matches take place between various intermediate and
junior clubs. Goals from Conor Meade and Davin O’Neill
saw Wanderers overcome Tipperary junior side Clonmel Celtic at Oldchurch Park. With
the exception of Avondale United, all of the other Munster Senior League representa-
tives fell at this hurdle with St Mary’s, UCC, College
Corinthians and Casement Celtic all crashing out.

The luck of the draw paired the two Munster Senior League clubs, Wanderers and
Avondale, against each-other in the second round, which saw the entry of the League
of Ireland clubs including Cobh Ramblers and Cork City. Oldchurch Park was once again
the venue and despite going two goals down early on, Wanderers salvaged a 3-3 draw
thanks to a Davin O’Neill penalty and a late Ian Stapleton brace.
The highly-anticipated replay was a midweek affair, taking place just days later in
Avondale Park. Shane Geasley opened the scoring early on and it was 2-0 on the 12
minute mark thanks to a Stapleton strike. Geasley rounded off the scoring late on in
added time to ensure the club progressed to the last-16.

This season’s FAI Cup has seen a number of shocks so far, including Sheriff YC’s 3-1 vic-
tory over Europa League participants UCD. Local League of Ireland side Cobh Ramblers
fell at the hands of Killester United, going down 3-0 in the Capital.

Tolka Rovers were also 2-1 winners over Waterford United. There were no surprises for
the giants of Irish football however with the likes of Dundalk, Cork City, Bohemians and
St Pat’s all progressing. 24 time Cup winners Shamrock Rovers lost 2-1 to holders St
Pat’s in one of the ties of the round. Tonight’s opponents Sligo Rovers recorded a 2-0
win over Crumlin United, a side that Wanderers know well following last season’s dra-
matic Intermediate Cup tie which the Dubliners won 4-3.

The draw for the third round was made in Sligo on July 17th with representatives from
each of the sixteen remaining clubs attending. Memories of the epic encounters of
1983 between Sligo Rovers and Cobh Ramblers came flooding back as Wanderers were
drawn against the Connacht club. Last year’s losing finalists Derry City were paired with
Drogheda United while Cork City and St Pat’s was another stand-out tie. Elsewhere
Galway host Dundalk, Bohemians face Bray, Longford visit Cockhill Celtic of Donegal,
Athlone travel to Sheriff and Tolka Rovers host Killester.

Written by Thomas Stafford