Portlaoise AFC beaten in First Round of FAI Cup by Skerries

The dream is over for Portlaoise AFC, falling at the first hurdle of the FAI Cup. Dublin side, Skerries Town were three-goal winners in a dominant win on Sunday afternoon.

Robert McKenna was the big difference between the sides, scoring twice and setting up their third. In truth, Portlaoise's biggest game in three decades never really got going. 

Skerries Town 3

Portlaoise AFC 0

FAI Cup Round 1

It was a baptism of fire for newly appointed manager, Pat Scully, who was taking charge of Portlaoise for the very first time. The former Arsenal player and League of Ireland winner was appointed as Darren Rogers’ replacement at the end of June.

There was a great crowd inside Rossleighan Park for the game; and the pitch, despite the horrendous recent weather, was in immaculate condition. The hosts were looking to set the tone early, hoping to hold onto possession and play high up the field. 

But McKenna was causing problems early on, and broke the deadlock after just 13 minutes. Daniel Doherty played a delicate ball into the Portlaoise box where McKenna had run in behind the defence and finished beautifully beyond Sean McCormack.

The goal did not phase Portlaoise, however, who settled back into their game plan immediately. But Skerries were happy to sit back and let Portlaoise come at them. Jason Caffrey and Jason Murphy were dancing through the Skerries midfield, but struggled to force the ball into the opposition box.

Then, in the 28th minute, disaster struck for Portlaoise when centre back, Colm Coss was forced off with an injury. Coss had been the main source of distribution for the hosts, and without that outlet, Portlaoise found themselves pushed further and further back towards their own goal for the remainder of the half.

Shane Foley did not put a foot wrong in defence when he came on, but Coss's influence in attack was sorely missed.

McCormack was called into action to make three vital saves for Portlaoise in the last 15 minutes of the half, with Skerries mounting the pressure. Jason Woods, who had a fine game, saw his strike just before half time palmed away by Skerries goalkeeper, Liam Woodcock. It turned out to be the home side's best chance of the game.

1-0 at half time was a fair reflection on the first half.

It was an end to end opening 10 minutes to the second half but one slight mistake from Portlaoise gave McKenna half a chance, and the striker made no mistake, punishing the error immediately.

Portlaoise gave away the ball at the edge of their own box and when it came to McKenna he was able to curl the ball wonderfully over Sean McCormack and into the top corner to make it 2-0.

He almost got in for his hat trick on the hour mark, but McCormack pulled off another remarkable save. Michael Rogers created a good chance for himself in the 70th minute, but his shot went just over the bar.

Skerries knocked Portlaoise out of the FAI Intermediate Cup earlier in the season, but retribution was never really on the cards. Nothing clicked for the hosts and Skerries seemed to win every 50/50 ball and challenge in the second half.

The game was put to bed in the 89th minute when McKenna turned provider, cutting the ball back into the box where substitute, Josh Mullin was waiting to pounce. Portlaoise can have no complaints about the 3-0 scoreline. 

Not the start to his tenure that Pat Scully would have envisaged.