St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny was left incensed by a late penalty decision that sealed his team's FAI Cup exit against Bohemians. The Irish Independent reported Kenny's fury after referee Paul Norton waved away a stoppage-time spot-kick appeal, allowing Bohemians to progress to the semi-finals.
The decisive moment came deep into added time with the match poised. St Patrick's Athletic, pushing for an equaliser, believed they had a clear penalty shout turned down by official Paul Norton. That decision proved final, confirming Bohemians' victory and ending St Pat's cup campaign. The result adds another chapter to the recent competitive history between the sides, who played out a 1-1 draw in the league just three days prior on September 5th.
Kenny did not hold back in his assessment. "Oh my God. It can’t be any clearer," the St Patrick's Athletic boss said, criticising the call. His team must now refocus on their league campaign, where they sit third in the Premier Division with 50 points from 29 games. Their record of 14 wins, 8 draws and 7 losses keeps them in the European qualification picture, six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Exiting the cup is a significant blow to St Pat's ambitions for silverware this season. The team's form, however, remains strong. They are unbeaten in their last five league matches, a run of three wins and two draws. Their attacking output has been solid, scoring 50 goals while conceding 34 for a +16 goal difference. The full standings show the tight nature of the race for European places.
Attention immediately turns to maintaining their league position. The squad's depth will be tested as they aim to close the gap at the top.
For Bohemians, the victory secures a place in the FAI Cup semi-finals and continues a positive period. Their league form has been impressive, contributing to a compelling title race. The win over a direct rival for European spots also provides a psychological boost.
The Gypsies' next challenge is a league fixture against Galway United on September 11th. Galway currently sit seventh in the table, making it a key match for Bohemians to consolidate their position. The full schedule of upcoming games is available on our fixtures page. Bohemians travel to face Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park this Friday.
