Just as Zurich were no match for the Reds, the Blues easily won 13-0 with Aaron Oliver scoring 5 times securing one of the berths in the final.
It wasn't as easy for the Reds on the other pitch against Barcelona as they found themselves a goal down after a horrendous error by keeper Martin Carroll gifted the Catalans the lead. The Reds went further behind when slick passing opened their defence and it was 2-0 to Barca.
The Reds finally got their act together as halftime approached and Eoin Byrne's wonderful long range free-kick found the top left hand corner to claw one goal back.
A different Saints team took the pitch for the 2nd half but found it difficult to break through a well marshalled Barcelona defence. The watching spectators, in their words, were then treated to a wonderful “English” type goal.
A guided long punt forward from keeper Carroll was headed on by Karl Tims - Glen Carroll chested the ball down and on the turn hammered the ball home, 2-2. The Saints comfortably hung on for the point they needed to set up an all Pats final.
Continued in Part 5
Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Dundalk | 12 | 28 |
2 | Cork City | 12 | 28 |
3 | Waterford FC | 12 | 24 |
4 | Derry City | 11 | 22 |
5 | Shamrock Rovers | 13 | 17 |
6 | St. Patrick's Athletic | 12 | 17 |
7 | Bohemian FC | 13 | 12 |
8 | Sligo Rovers | 12 | 11 |
9 | Limerick | 13 | 10 |
10 | Bray Wanderers | 12 | 4 |