The double dreams of Dundalk stay alive, while the long, long wait for a break in the cup famine on the banks of the Camac continues for at least the next year.

Stephen Kenny’s men were able to carry their fine recent league form into the cup with a 5-1 hammering of Shelbourne at Tolka Park. The game had ended as a contest as early as the nineteenth minute, as Richie Towell and Andy Boyle scored early on to kill any hopes in the home crowd of a cup upset.

Before half time Dundalk had added another three, with Patrick Hoban, Kurtis Byrne and Towell again striking to make it a nightmare evening for Shels.

Lee Murtagh scored a consolation goal for Shels, who put in an improved second half performance, although by then Dundalk were idling in first gear, saving their energy for more stern tests as they continue on a journey nobody could have believed possible this time last year.

St. Pat’s were made to wait another year for FAI glory as Ronan Finn ad Shane Robinson goals were enough for Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park. Rovers kept their season alive in an ill-disciplined encounter that saw Ger Bolger and Pat Sullivan shown red in the second half.

In the night’s other game First Division side Finn Harps came close to knocking out Drogheda United. Harps led for 85 minutes, despite losing Ciaran Coll early in the second half following an off the ball incident, but Drogs were able to salvage the last glimmer of hope from what is fast becoming a bleak season with a late Mick Daly goal.

FAI Cup Quarter-Final results

Shelbourne 1-5 Dundalk

Finn Harps 1-1 Drogheda

St. Patrick’s Athletic 0-2 Shamrock Rovers

Image: Ronan Finn of Rovers celebrates scoring the first goal of the game with teammates
©INPHO/Donall Farmer