FAI Cup
The FAI Cup was sponsored by Carlsberg for the 2006 season. In the second round of the competition, and the first involving League of Ireland clubs, holders Drogheda United were sensationally knocked out by First Division side Limerick. There were no other shocks.
As a result of Dublin City folding, non-league Killester United received a bye in the third round and went straight through to the quarter finals. In the tie of the third round Derry City beat Shelbourne 1–0 in Tolka Park. First Division side Shamrock Rovers knocked out arch rivals Bohemians after a replay.
In the quarter finals it took Sligo Rovers until extra time in a replay to dispose of Killester United. Elsewhere St Pats easily beat Longford 4–1, Shamrock Rovers scored two late goals to beat Athlone 2–1 away and Derry had a facile 2–0 win at home to UCD.
The semi final draw threw up two local derbies with Sligo Rovers hosting Derry and Shamrock Rovers hosting St Pats with the games to be played in the October Bank Holiday weekend. In the first of these games St Pats defeated Rovers 2–0 to advance to their first final since 2003. In the other game Sligo Rovers and Derry played out a 0–0 draw before Derry advanced with a 5–0 replay win.
The final was played on 3 December 2006. It was the last ever soccer match to be played at the old Lansdowne Road. The match was played out in severely stormy conditions that on numerous occasions caused the ball to move around the pitch by itself. The sides went in at half-time level at 1–1 after Mark Farren cancelled out Dave Mulcahy's opener. Derry City's Peter Hutton gave away a penalty in the second half which Trevor Molloy converted, leading the St. Pat's fans to believe they were on the verge of winning their first FAI Cup in 45 years. But Clive Delaney equalised in the final five minutes to take the game into extra time at 2–2. The high winds continued to disrupt the game as St. Pat's attempted to clear the ball for a throw-in only for it to be blown for a corner-kick by a gale. Sean O' Connor gave Pat's the lead for a third time in the 103rd minute. But Peter Hutton equallised three minutes later and was on hand again to wreak havoc in the Pat's defence three minutes later as Stephen Brennan scored an own goal to give Derry the lead for the first time in the match as well as the FAI Cup for the fourth time in their 21-year association with the League of Ireland. It was the highest scoring FAI Cup final in seventy-one years. Captain Peter Hutton lifted the trophy and was named Man of the Match.
Read more about this topic: 2006 League Of Ireland
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