Scully steers holders through - February 7,
2001
Shelbourne 1 Derry City 0
Shelbourne almost pulled out of this tie because of the appointment of referee Hugh Byrne - but they weren't complaining last night after a controversial decision saw them beat Derry at the second attempt.
Shels threatened to pull out of the FAI Cup all together at the weekend because Hugh Byrne had been appointed to referee Derry at the Brandywell for the second time in three games, contrary to FAI guidelines. But they played and earned a 1-1 draw.
Last night Byrne was in charge again - and he had a major bearing on the outcome by awarding the holders the controversial free from which Pat Scully scored the late winner.
Most people in the ground expected Derry to be given a free out when Dessie Baker and Joe Harkin clashed outside the box with five minutes left. Instead Byrne pointed towards the Derry goal. Richie Baker knocked it deep and skipper Scully peeled away at the back post to loop a header over 'keeper Russell Payne.
It was tough on Payne who had done more than most to keep Derry in the game with a series of fine saves, the first from a James Keddy volley on 14 minutes. In front of him, Payne had a solid central defensive partnership in Darren Kelly and Harkin. They did give Richie Foran a clear sight of goal three minutes into the second half, but the striker shot weakly wide.
Derry's threat came on the break, mainly through Peter Hutton's surging runs forward and Eamonn Doherty's trickery. The latter crossed for Sean Hargan but Shels 'keeper Steve Williams made a great reflex stop.
On the hour, Richie Baker came on for Jim Crawford and Shels reverted from 4-5-1 to their customary 4-4-2 and after that the tide turned their way. Payne made another great save from Dessie Baker before Foran was off target again. At the other end, Williams saved equally well from a Doherty header.
Extra time looked on the cards but Shels cranked it up in the last ten minutes. First Foran turned quickly to fire a snap shot off the crossbar. Then came that questionable free and Shelbourne's winner.
Shelbourne: Williams, Heary, Scully, McCarthy, D Geoghegan, D Baker, Doolin, Fenlon, Keddy, Foran, Crawford
Subs: R Baker for Crawford 60, Byrne for Doolin 88, Hutchison for R Baker 89
Goal: Scully 85
Derry City: Payne, McCallion, Kelly, Harkin, Hargan; Doherty, Hegarty, Hutton, McLaughlin, Devlin, Coyle
Subs: McCaul for Hegarty 87
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)