Drogheda Hit Crumlin for Five in Ruthless Cup Opener
By ArdeePost Reporter
Professional Display Sees Drogheda United Cruise Past Crumlin United in FAI Cup Opener
FAI Cup First Round:
Drogheda United 5–0 Crumlin United
(Scorers: Keeley 45, Oluwa 47, Thomas 60 pen, Markey 68, O’Sullivan 85)
Drogheda United began the defence of their FAI Cup crown in emphatic fashion on Friday night, brushing aside non-league Crumlin United 5–0 at Sullivan and Lambe Park in what was a composed and clinical performance from Kevin Doherty’s men.
There was little question of an upset here, especially given the strength of the Drogheda starting XI. Doherty, clearly not taking any chances, named a full-strength side and was rewarded with a dominant display from start to finish.
Centre-back Conor Keeley opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, rising highest to head home from Owen Lambe’s well-delivered corner — his first ever goal in FAI Cup competition.
The hosts doubled their lead almost instantly after the break through Thomas Oluwa, who unleashed a thunderous effort from outside the box. While replays hinted that the strike may have taken a deflection, it left Crumlin goalkeeper Morgan Daly with no chance.
The floodgates opened thereafter.
Returning from a five-month injury layoff, Josh Thomas made his mark just minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Swansea City loanee was fouled in the box by Anthony Kay, and confidently dispatched the resulting penalty to put Drogheda three up.
Midfielder Darragh Markey made it four with a close-range finish following some neat build-up play, before John O’Sullivan, freshly arrived on loan from Shamrock Rovers, capped off a dream debut with a well-taken goal in the 85th minute. His low shot beat substitute keeper Ryan Donnelly, sealing a commanding victory for the Premier Division side.
Crumlin United, who fought gamely despite the scoreline, were simply outmatched by the quality and tempo of their opponents. Their best chances came in brief spells of possession, but they failed to trouble Colin McCabe’s replacement in the Drogheda goal, Andrew Dennison, throughout.
While the early rounds of the Cup often throw up surprises, this tie went very much by the script — and Drogheda now shift their focus toward a mid-season training camp in Salou, Spain, as they prepare for the business end of both league and cup campaigns.
With their place in the next round secured, the reigning champions will surely have their eyes set on another run to the Aviva Stadium this November.
Drogheda United XI: Dennison; Quinn, Keeley (Harper-Bailey 76), Bolger; Lambe, Brennan (Farrell 59), Heeney (O’Sullivan 58), Kane (Cruise 70); Markey; Oluwa, Kareem (Thomas 59).
Crumlin United XI: Daly (Donnelly 82); McNeill, MacGabhann, Funge, Friel (Murphy 63); Whelan, O’Donoghue; Bridgeman (Byrne 82), Coughlan (O’Meara 63), Kavanagh; Kay (Lawlor Brennan 75).
Referee: Oliver Moran
Quickfire Double Sends Sligo Rovers Past Dundalk in FAI Cup Clash
Sligo Rovers delivered a stunning second-half comeback to overcome Dundalk 2-0 in a dramatic FAI Cup clash at Oriel Park, thanks to a blistering double from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes in the space of just four minutes.
The result ended a string of early cup exits for the Bit O’Red, who had fallen at the first hurdle in each of the past four seasons — including a 2-0 home loss to UCD in 2024. Missing manager John Russell due to illness, Sligo showed resilience and quality to turn the tide after a sluggish first half dominated by their First Division hosts.
Dundalk, currently leading the First Division under Ciaran Kilduff’s management, were the better side early on and nearly took the lead in stoppage time of the opening half when Harry Groome fired narrowly wide after being picked out by JR Wilson.
But Sligo’s halftime regroup proved decisive.
Six minutes after the restart, on-loan Bohemians midfielder James McManus opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. Meeting a partially cleared corner at the edge of the box, he unleashed a thunderous right-footed drive that flew into the top right corner past a helpless Enda Minogue.
The visitors doubled their lead just three minutes later. Will Fitzgerald, who had looked lively throughout, delivered a dangerous cross from the left, which Doyle-Hayes met with a clever glancing header into the bottom corner, giving Minogue no chance.
Despite the double setback, Dundalk refused to lie down. Substitute Andy Paraschiv came close with a dipping effort that went just over, while Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant made smart saves to deny both Gbemi Arubi and Daryl Horgan.
The hosts’ best opportunity to halve the deficit came six minutes from time when Dean Ebbe rounded Sargeant, but his tame finish was cleared before it could cross the line.
Ultimately, it was Sligo who stood firm to book their place in the next round, keeping alive hopes of adding a sixth FAI Cup title to their history.
Match Summary:
FAI Cup – First Round
Dundalk 0
Sligo Rovers 2
(Scorers: McManus 51, Doyle-Hayes 54)
Dundalk XI: Minogue; Wilson, Leonard, McHale (O’Keeffe 22), Keogh (Spaight 71); Dervin, Tracey (Paraschiv 61); McDaid (Kenny 61), Groome, Horgan; Arubi (Ebbe 61).
Sligo Rovers XI: Sargeant; Reynolds, Denham, McClean, Fitzgerald; Doyle-Hayes (Patton 66), McManus; Elding, Hakiki, O’Kane (McDonagh 77); Waweru (Quirk HT).
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd