The EA SPORTS Cup is contested by clubs involved in the Airtricity League. The competition runs throughout the Airtricity League season and will this season culminate in September when the final is contested. The current EA SPORTS CUP holders are Derry City who defeated Cork City in the 2011 final. Our photograph shows Bohemians celebrate their Cup win in 2009.
Eamon Zayed's second half penalty against Cork City at Turner's Cross on Saturday won the EA Sport Cup for Derry City...
FOLLOWING a draw of lots at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown today, the EA SPORTS Cup Final has been confirmed to take place at Turner's Cross, Cork, on Saturday, September 24...
A south-west derby has been set in the EA Sports Cup after holders Sligo Rovers were drawn with Derry City in the semi-final...
Shelbourne 1 - 2 Sligo Rovers
David Cassidy 39 Danny Ventre 78
Richie Ryan 90 + 4
Sligo Rovers staged a late, late show that produced two goals as they came from behind to keep alive their hopes of retaining the EA SPORTS Cup at Tolka Park.
Shelbourne showed the form that has taken them to the top of Division One of the League this season as they scored after 39 minutes and offered Sligo stubborn resistance throughout the second half.
Cassidy scored when goalkeeper Brendan Clarke did well to stop his powerful scoring effort but the goalkeeper was unable to hold the ball and captain Cassidy fired home the rebound.
Shels showed eight changes from the team that beat Athlone Town last time out and Sligo were nearer full-strength with just four of the team that helped beat Shamrock Rovers at the week-end replaced in the starting eleven.
The mounting pressure on Shels' defence throughout the second half took a toll and the game swung in Sligo's favour when their team captain, Danny Ventre, headed in an accurate corner from Joseph Ndo in the 78th minute.
The game was deep into injury time when Kevin Dawson stopped the run of Sligo's centre-back Derek Foran on the edge of the penalty area to earn a second yellow card booking and dismissal.
Richie Ryan, a second half substitute, fired home the resultant free-kick and Shels' cup of woe was full to overflowing when Chris Mulhall followed Dawson to the dressing room seconds later.
Derry City's youngsters on the mark
UCD 0 - 3 Derry City
Stephen McLaughlin 48
Ruairi Harkin 58
Michael McCrudden 68
Derry City and UCD drew in their League match at the week-end at Belfield and Derry's Stephen Kenny gave many of his back-up players the opportunity to do better. They did not let him down.
UCD had much the better of the opening half but when they failed to turn their superiority into goals they were struggling as soon as they fell behind. Derry stepped up their game in the second half, buoyed by their ability to take advantage of their scoring opportunities.
Stephen McLaughlin gave them an early boost after the change of ends when he beat goalkeeper Ger Barron in the 48th minute. Further goals were claimed by Ruairi Harkin, after 58 minutes, and by Michael McCrudden ten minutes later.
UCD conceded a penalty and had Sean Harding sent off in the 74th minute when he was penalised for a foul on McLaughlin. Davy McDaid struck the penalty against an upright from where it bounced to safety.
Sligo manager Paul Cook said he had been impressed by Shelbourne when he saw the Airtricity League Division One leaders play Longford Town this season and predicted a very difficult challenge to his side.
He said: "Shelbourne have a very good side with some very good players and with Alan Matthews as manager we know it will be a difficult tie for us, but it is one we are looking forward to."
He spoke of his regard for the EA SPORTS CUP when he added: "We used our win as a springboard for a win in the FAI Ford Cup and if you win any silverware then you know you will have had a good season."
The draw set up a contest between two Division One teams when Limerick were given a home tie against Monaghan United.
Premier Division and First Division teams will also clash when Cork City will host a match against St. Patrick's Athletic at Turner's Cross while two Premier Division teams will be in opposition when UCD play Derry City.
EA SPORTS CUP 2011-05-02
Quarter-finals:
Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers, Tolka Park;
Limerick v Monaghan United, Jackman Park;
Cork City v St. Patrick's Athletic, Turner's Cross;
UCD v Derry City, Belfield.
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