Blues suffer extra-time cup defeat in high controversy
Waterford FC left reeling after this goal isn't awarded during their cup exit to Athlone Town. Photo credit: Ken Sutton/Waterford FC
A remarkable Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup 3rd round tie at the RSC saw Athlone Town shocked ten man Waterford FC as second-half extra-time substitute Peter McGregor headed a golden goal in injury-time as the Premier Division side were left reeling at referee David Dunne.
It was a game that saw the Dublin official steal the limelight from the two teams as he produced a straight red card to Waterford defender Darragh Leahy after an off the ball incident on 40 minutes before the hosts struck the front from the penalty spot.
Connor Parsons picked up the ball on the left before bursting into the area before been fouled by Dan McKenna, and Padraig Amond sent keeper Lee Axworthy the wrong way before Athlone levelled through a fortunate own goal on 78 minutes when Robbie McCourt diverted a ball into his own net.
Waterford thought that they had won it when Barry Baggley sent over a right-wing corner that was bundled over the line, but unbelievably, the flag of assistant referee Conor Fitzgibbon kept his flag down with Keith Long red carded for his reaction.
Padraig Amond thought that he had won the game for the Blues on 104 minutes when he turned home Ryan Burke’s shot from distance, but Aaron Connolly brought the visitors level on 116 minutes when scoring from close-range.
There was further drama in second-half injury-time in extra-time when Kyle Robinson whipped in a left-wing cross that picked out the run of McGregor at the back post, and he squeezed a header past Louis Jones.
