Four goals did the damage on Monday night as Shamrock Rovers secured advantage in their Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final with Linfield as they outplayed their opponents.
Ciaran Kilduff netted a brace, while Ronan Finn and Stephen Rice got one apiece as Billy-Joe Burns’ volley meant little on a night when The Blues struggled to create chances.
Even when they earned a last-minute penalty, Linfield could not convert as Brian McCaul’s effort was saved by keeper Barry Murphy. It summed up their night and their performance.
Rovers, who don’t start their Airtricity League campaign until Friday, were in control from early on here with Finn and James Chambers dictating things from midfield with their driving runs.
This was the first meeting between these sides in 29 years and there was a noticeable difference as the hosts dominated. They looked the more likely to open the scoring and that is exactly what happened.
On 34 minutes, a stinging drive from Sean O’Connor’s free-kick was too hot for Linfield keeper Ross Glendinning to hold and Finn followed in to convert the rebound and make it 1-0.
Trevor Croly’s men had already threatened with five corners in as many first-half minutes before Kilduff tested the alertness of Glendinning with a close-range header from O’Connor’s cross.
A second goal was likely to come from the home side and it arrived just before the interval when Kilduff made no mistake with his header this time following a chipped cross from Finn.
After the break, Linfield attempted to wrestle their way back into the game with Burns smashing in a half volley from 30 yards out. David Jeffrey’s side just could not get their attacking play going, while Rovers had no problems there as Kilduff netted his second of the night when he rolled in a pass from Pat Sullivan.
A quick counter attack on 83 minutes set substitute Rice away and he duly converted once he reached the penalty area.
A lifeline was thrown to Linfield with the awarding of a late penalty, but McCaul effort was saved and the Blues now have a moutain to climb.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Sullivan, Foran, McGuinness, Powell; Chambers, Robinson (Rice 75); Sheppard (McCabe 70), Finn, O’Connor (Stewart 86); Kilduff.
LINFIELD: Glendinning; Ervin, Armstrong, Murphy, Burns; Garrett (Henderson 71), Mulgrew; Lowry, McCaul, Carvill; Thompson (Browne 78).
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).
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