Dundalk are through to the Setanta Sports Cup final after a 2-1 win over Cliftonville in Oriel Park on Monday night, winning 5-2 on aggregate.
With Dundalk leading 3-1 from the first leg, Kieran O’Connor’s 59th minute header gave Cliftonville a glimmer of hope, outjumping Michael Hector and placing the ball in the corner of the net.
Jason Byrne brought Ian Foster's side level when he brilliantly headed past Jack Duffin following Ross Gaynor’s pinpoint cross on 67.
Johnny Breen's confident finish when one-on-one with Duffin in stoppage time sealed their progress, with the Lilywhites now set to meet Shamrock Rovers or Sligo Rovers in the final.
The first half saw Conal Burns threaten twice for Cliftonville.
He shot wide when well placed on 19 minutes and then missed a glorious chance on the half-hour mark when heading wide from eight yards.
Gaynor then showed some neat feet for Dundalk when checking back 25 yards from goal, but his shot was straight at Duffin.
Hector could have put the home side in front early in the second half as his towering header rebounded off the crossbar, with Cliftonville then clearing the ball away.
O’Connor’s goal put life in the tie with just over half an hour remaining but Dundalk responded with the strikes from Byrne and Breen to make sure Foster reaches his first senior final as a manager.
