Shamrock Rovers cruised into the semi-final of the FAI Ford Cup with a 6-0 win over ten-man Galway United at Tallaght Stadium.
However, the night was marred by some controversial decisions by the officials and Anthony Buttimer's early dismissal of Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan turned the game in Rovers' favour.
Buttimer was part of the Irish delegation that took charge of the midweek Champions League tie between CFR Cluj and FC Basle, but parts of his performance left Galway boss Sean Connor raging.
Ryan was first booked then sent-off for protesting about a foul in the build-up to Thomas Stewart's close-range opener.
Rhys Meynell turned Stewart's cross into his own net before James Chambers finished off a team move to put Rovers three up at half-time.
Further goals from Chambers and the returning Dessie Baker, as well as another own goal from Seamus Conneely, saw the Hoops safely through.
Galway tried to battle their way back into the game but their fate was sealed once Ryan was sent-off after 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, Rovers' boss Michael O'Neill will have been pleased with his side's response to the 5-1 hammering in Dundalk on Monday night.
There was more injury concern for Rovers as substitute Sean O'Connor was taken off on a stretcher after a challenge by Meynell.
On a night when the officials grabbed the spotlight, Rovers almost took the lead in bizarre fashion on four minutes.
Stewart was flagged offside by the assistant referee but allowed to continue by referee Buttimer as the ball came off a Galway head. After initially stopping, Stewart raced through on goal as the Galway defence looked on. Buttimer then failed to give a corner when Ryan clearly saved Stewart's shot.
Stewart did not have to wait too long to open the scoring as he benefited from a clash between Chambers and Ryan. The ball dropped into Stewart's path and he tapped into the unguarded net.
Buttimer subsequently dismissed Ryan after the goalkeeper protested too vigorously about Chambers' challenge.
A bad night for Galway got worse on 23 minutes as Meynell knocked Stewart's cross past substitute goalkeeper Darragh Gerraty to double Rovers' lead.
Twigg and Stephen Rice both went close before the home side produced one of the goals of the season.
Chambers' curled home from 20 yards to finish off a sweeping move involving Enda Stevens, Twigg and Stewart.
To their credit, Galway tried to play their way back into the game and Alan Mannus did well to keep out an effort from Gary Curran midway through the second half.
As the visitors kept Karl Sheppard and Stephen Walshe up front in the hope of getting back into the game, they were in danger of being caught out on the break.
Chambers grabbed his second of the night as he flashed a shot past a helpless Gerraty from the corner of the box.
Gerraty was unlucky to be beaten again minutes later after he parried an initial effort from Baker. The ball dropped to Twigg and his shot crashed off the cross bar and went in off Conneely's shin.
Baker completed the scoring on 78 minutes when he stroked home the sixth goal on a night to forget for Galway.
Rovers are now another step closer to their first FAI Cup victory since 1987, while Galway will be dreading next week's return visit to Tallaght in the Airtricity League.
Shamrock Rovers: 1 Mannus; 3 Stevens, 4 Sives, 5 Price, 19 Murphy; 20 Dennehy, 6 Rice (17 O'Connor h/t) (10 Baker '51), 18 Turner, 8 Chambers; 9 Twigg (14 Downes '68), 23 Stewart.
Subs not used: 16 Jennings, 11 Fenn, 13 Flynn, 15 Kavanagh.
Booked: Stewart, Dennehy.
Galway United: Ryan; 2 Conneely, 20 Sinnott, 5 McKenzie, 14 Meynell; 16 Curran, 4 Reilly (13 Gerraty '13), 8 O'Donnell, 11 O'Brien; 17 Walshe (15 King '71), 10 Sheppard (18 Keogh '78).
Subs not used: 7 Shepherd, 9 Molloy, 12 Preston Kelly, 19 Cheevers.
Sent-off: Ryan
