A spectacular goal from substitute Phil Gormley scarcely befitted a dreadfully poor cup tie. In a game lacking any decent pattern, St Francis advanced to the second round of the FAI Cup at John Hyland Park, Baldonnel yesterday.
Cherry Orchard, the unbeaten Leinster Senior League leaders, certainly deserved at least a second chance as they created the better openings late on and should have had a penalty when St Francis defender Terry Berry clearly handled inside the area.
Ironically, Cherry Orchard were just beginning to enjoy their best spell of the match when they conceded what proved the winning goal - a volley to the net by Gormley - following an error by their goalkeeper, John Barnwell on 70 minutes.
St Francis: Corcoran; Griffin, Berry, McNally, Rickard; Devlin, O'Sullivan, Watters, Wynne; Irwin, Duffy. Subs: McKeever for Wynne (half-time), Gormley for Irwin (66 mins), Marshall for Duffy (75 mins).
Cherry Orchard: Barnwell; Barry, Curley, T Cullen, Madden; McNeill, Perth, Dunne, Notaro; D Smith, Kenny. Sub: J Cullen for Smith (73 mins).
Referee: P Mooney (Waterford).
