First Division Athlone Town created a shock when they beat Premier Division side Longford Town 5-4 on penalties following a dramatic game at Lissywoolen.
First Division Athlone Town created a shock when they beat Premier Division side Longford Town 5-4 on penalties following a dramatic game at Lissywoolen.
The first half was scoreless but the visitors could have taken an early lead when Dave Mooney's shot crashed off the crossbar after just 70 seconds.
Athlone had chances to take the lead as half-time approached but Longford keeper Mick Dempsey denied Steven Gavin and Ryan Casey in quick succession with good saves.
Longford went in front less than a minute into the second half, Dave Freeman tapping home from close range after Daire Doyle had created the opening on the left wing.
Athlone were back on level terms after 71 minutes when Ian Rossiters through ball picked out Steven Gavin and the former Longford man made no mistake from inside the penalty area.
David O’Dowd was Athlone's main danger in the second half but couldn’t capitalise on his chances.
Thirty minutes of extra time failed to separate the sides, although Ian Wexler missed the best chance after 107 minutes when he allowed Athlone keeper Danny O’Leary to smother his shot when clean through on goal.
After both sides had scored their first four spot kicks O’Leary proved to be the Athlone hero in the shoot-out as he saved Longford’s fifth kick taken by John Martin.
Half-time substitute Eric Lavine then ensured Athlone's passage to the next round when he netted his sides final penalty kick.
Athlone Town: O’Leary, Rossiter, Casey (Young 101), Frawley, Hope, Harty, Gavin, Hamm (Sheridan 57), O’Dowd, McGee (Lavine half time), Heffernan.
Longford Town: Dempsey, Sullivan, Rutherford (O’Riordan 92), J.Martin, Brennan, Deegan, Freeman (Lee 83), Mooney, Doyle, R.Martin (Wexler 89), Prunty.
Referee: M Gough
