EA Sports Cup Roundup: Cork Put Out The Holders As Their Winning Run Continues

This week saw the quarter-finals of the EA Sports Cup being played with three on the Bank Holiday Monday and one on Tuesday evening. The EA Sports Cup is the SSE Airtricity League equivalent of the League Cup.

Again, it was Cork City making all the headlines as their dominant form continued as they beat the holders St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 in Turner’s Cross. Conor Ellis and Stephen Dooley got their goals as they remain on course for a potential domestic quadruple as they have already won the season opener which is the President’s Cup, the Irish equivalent of the Charity Shield and are now leading the Premier Division, in the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup with the FAI Cup yet to start.

Their great rivals Dundalk are also through as they beat First Division high-fliers Waterford 3-0 in Oriel Park. Ciaran Kilduff, Thomas Stewart and Conor Clifford with the goals.

The remaining game on the Bank Holiday Monday was probably the most dramatic as Sligo Rovers played host to Connacht rivals Galway United. There were no goals in full time and the game went to extra time where there was no shortage of drama.

Three minutes into the first period and Mathew Stevens who is on loan from Peterborough gave Rovers the lead. A lead which lasted only two minutes as former Notts County man Ronan Murray levelled for United. Just before the end of the first 15 and United took the lead through Gavan Holohan. Rovers took the game to penalties as with five minutes left they won a penalty after Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was fouled, Kieran Sadlier who had missed a kick just a couple of days earlier against Drogheda United in the league showed good character as he converted his effort this time. Ultimately though it was United who went through as they won the shoot-out 4-1.

Rounding off the semi-finalists are Shamrock Rovers who beat Longford Town 1-0 thanks to a goal from 17-year-old debutant Dean Dillon.