Shelbourne prevail after shootout against Galway United
Liam Burt proved the hero with the winning penalty in the shootout to eventually put Shelbourne into the quarter-finals of the Sports Direct FAI Cup after extra time at Tolka Park.
Midfielder Burt drilled home from 12 yards after Aiden O'Brien, JJ Lunney, Mark Coyle and Ali Coote all found the back of Brendan Clarke’s net.
David Hurley, Jimmy Keohane and Clarke all scored theirs before defender Garry Buckley skied Galway’s fourth spot kick over the crossbar.
With the 90 minutes having ended in stalemate, O’Brien had made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut to put Shelbourne into the lead.
Signed last Monday, the 30-year-old striker, who has five Republic of Ireland caps, was introduced just past the hour mark, but it was the fourth minute of extra time before making his big first impression.
Burt picked out the run of Coote in behind to cut the ball back for O’Brien to blast to the roof of the net from close range.
Galway remained well in a tight game and equalised in the 115th minute with a terrific goal.
Karl O’Sullivan’s cross took a deflection off Shelbourne skipper Coyle to drop for Keohane whose sublime volley arrowed past Conor Kearns to the net.
Starting brightly, Shelbourne got the first sight of goal on nine minutes when Evan Caffrey cleverly turned defender Buckley, if his shot scarcely had the venom to trouble Clarke.
But Galway responded to enjoy the better chances of the first half, Stephen Walsh flashing a header wide before Ed McCarthy brought a terrific save at full stretch from Conor Kearns.
The home defence was stretched again just before the half hour.
McCathy’s long throw was only partially cleared. It dropped for Keohane whose goal bound drive was blocked on the line by Paddy Barrett.
Though Shelbourne