Stylish Rovers cruise into next round
Bangor Celtic 0
Shamrock Rovers 4
By Daire Walsh
Twenty five-time champions Shamrock Rovers advanced to the second round with a convincing victory over Leinster Senior League outfit Bangor Celtic at Tallaght Stadium last night.
The Hoops endured early frustration as Rory Gaffney and Neil Farrugia had goals ruled offside. Sean Hoare hit the crossbar with a header before Gaffney broke the deadlock on 32 minutes.
While a 1-0 interval deficit left a chance for Bangor, it seemed inevitable that Rovers would add to their tally.
Three-time FAI Cup winner Hoare doubled the lead off a set-piece move in the 66th-minute and after the impressive Emakhu bagged the goal that his performance deserved, Daniel Cleary (making his Rovers debut alongside recent recruit Simon Power) rounded off the scoring with a close-range finish eight minutes from time.
BANGOR CELTIC: Hayden; Farrell, Maher, Prendergast, McCarthy; O’Callaghan (Synnott, 75 mins), Whelan (Mahony, 64 mins); Andre (Bennett, 64 mins), Stokes, McGuirk (McGee, 46 mins); Hanaphy (Boulmeth, 80 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Pohls; Gannon, Cleary, Hoare; Farrugia (Carey, 69 mins), Watts, Ferizaj, O’Sullivan; Power (Tetteh, 59 mins), Emakhu; Gaffney (Leddy, 69 mins).
Referee: O Moran (Dublin).