THE 20 SSE Airtricity League clubs joined 12 non-league outfits in the second round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, and the 16 fixtures spread across the weekend produced plenty of talking points.
In the stand out tie of the round, St Patrick's Athletic began their defence of the trophy with a 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park.
The Saints put last week's disappointing defeat to league leaders Dundalk behind them, with first half goals from Conan Byrne and Jason McGuinness.
Rovers boss Pat Fenlon made two changes at the break as Rovers searched for a way back into the game, but it was only after the introduction of Gary McCabe that the Hoops pulled a goal back. McCabe thumped home a goal of the season contender from 30 yards, six minutes from time.
It was too little too late, and Rovers will have to wait another year before attempting to end their FAI Cup drought, which now extends back 26 years.
Dundalk predictably had no trouble in seeing off the challenge of First Division Shelbourne, eventually winning 5-0 at Oriel Park after being two up inside the first 22 minutes. Five different scorers made the scoresheet with the Lilywhites as Richie Towell chipped in with one from the penalty spot.
Dundalk's nearest Premier Division challengers, Cork City, were less impressive, with goals towards the end of each half from Billy Dennehy and Mark O'Sullivan earning them a 2-0 win over Wexford Youths.
While Shamrock Rovers were involved in their Dublin derby at Inchicore, across the city in Phibsboro another green and white hooped side from Tallaght were enjoying their moment in the spotlight at Dalymount Park.
While two goals in the space of six second-half minutes by Robbie Creevy set Bohemians on the way to a 4-1 win over Firhouse Clover from the Leinster Senior League, the main talking point of the evening arrived just before half time.
Two-time FAI Cup winner Jason Byrne had put Bohs ahead just before the half-hour mark, but with three minutes remaining in the opening period, a coolly-converted penalty from self confessed Bohs fan Luke Synnott ensured Firhouse went in level at the break.
There was better luck for three other non-league sides who saw off opponents from the First Division, with the stand out performance being in another Dublin derby, where Sherrif YC ended UCD's eight match unbeaten run with a 3-1 win over the students at the UCD Bowl.
Goals from Kevin Lynch, Sean Murphy, and Mark Higgins earned the AUL Premier A champions a place in the next round, their win being the latest success in a season where they have been finalists in the FAI Junior and Leinster Junior Cups as well as winning their league.
Tolka Rovers ensured that Roddy Collins won't be adding to the cup win he enjoyed with in 2001 with Bohemians this season after they saw off his Waterford United side with a 2-1 win.
The Leinster Senior League side went ahead on 21 minutes through veteran midfielder Denis Moran when he finished off an Adam Crowther through ball, and Crowther set up Rovers' second for Mark Towley just after the break.
Waterford’s top scorer Willie John Kiely reduced the arrears, but the home side held for victory.
Another Leinster Senior League side, Killester United, also knocked out league opponents, with second half goals from Mark O'Connell, David Lacey, and Dylan O'Driscoll earning them a surprisingly comfortable win over Cobh Ramblers.
Honours finished even at the City Calling Stadium where, despite playing for over 70 minutes with ten men, First Division leaders Finn Harps held on for a 1-1 draw against Longford Town.
Gareth Harkin put Harps ahead midway through the first half, three minutes after they lost Damien McNulty to a red card, but Stephen Rice's close range finish three minutes from half time pulled Town back on level terms.
Elsewhere, results went pretty much as expected, although Galway United made rather heavy weather of a 1-0 win over Wexford side North End United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The Tribesmen were by far the better side, but only had a Jake Keegan goal in the fourth minute to show for the night's efforts.
Two goals in the space of four second half minutes from Chris Lyons sealed a 3-1 win for Bray Wanderers over Limerick at the Carlisle Grounds, and it was the same score at United Park, where similarly two second half goals from Adam Whelan and Sean Brennan ensured Drogheda United's place in the next round at the expense of Cabinteely.
Derry City had no trouble on their trip to Paddy Maloney Park in Offaly on Sunday, with Mark Timlin, Ryan Curran and Sean Houston on target in a 3-0 win over Leinster Senior League side Edenderry Town, and first half goals from Dinny Corcoran and David Cawley ensured a comfortable passage for Sligo Rovers over another Leinster Senior League side Crumlin United.
Athlone Town's 3-2 win over Liffey Wanderers was their first in the FAI Cup win since a 2-1 win away to Kildare County in 2009, and in the two all non-league ties Cockhill Celtic beat St Mochta's 3-0, and Cobh Wanderers shared six goals with Avondale United.
