Megan Smyth Lynch proved to be the match winner for 10-player Shelbourne who knocked out a brave Shamrock Rovers for the second year in a row, as her devilishly whipped deflected free-kick - with almost the last kick of the game - ensured the Reds progressed to the semi-final of the FAI Cup.
Both teams suffered bruising encounters last time out with the hosts losing the Avenir All-Island Cup final on home soil, whilst the visitors lost their first game of the season at home to title rivals Athlone Town.
With Cork City, Sligo Rovers and Athlone having already booked their places in the semi-final draw, a fierce battle took place for the final slot as both teams lived up
After a feisty opening, the game began to open up.
Both Savannah McCarthy and Aine O'Gorman had strikes from distance just off target before the marauding Christie Gray smashed low at former Reds keeper Amanda Budden from a tight angle.
Minutes later, Kate Mooney thought she had put her side in front with a chipped finish, only to see the flag raised for offside.
Midway through the first half the visitors, well in the ascendancy, should have been in front. Following a classy combination between Alex Kavanagh and Roma McLoughlin to cut open the Rovers defence, Kavanagh hit a powerful effort straight at Budden.
Collie O’Neill’s charges continued to look dangerous on the break and finished the half the stronger. Whilst enjoying their best spell, 15-year-old Ella Kelly - having been cleverly set up by O’Gorman in the area - smashed a thunderous effort off the crossbar and over.
The half time break did nothing to dampen the derby feel as both sides continued to battle ferociously.
Just before the hour mark Rovers opted for a triple substitution and that nearly paid off immediately when Lia O’Leary looked to get in behind only for Leah Doyle to get back around snuff out the danger.
The woodwork came to Shels' rescue again when ex-Irish International O’Gorman rattled the crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick just left of the area.
With the game on a knife edge it was advantage Hoops, numerically at least, with 20-minutes to go when Shels skipper Pearl Slattery received her marching orders for hauling down O’Gorman who looked to break quickly resulting in a second yellow card.
Shels, roared on by their band of supporters in the corner, needed Amanda McQuillan to come up big to deny O’Leary from point blank range with just over five minutes remaining as extra-time creeped up fast.
Right from the tip-off in injury time it was Shels turn to hit the frame of the goal as the pacey substitute Jemma Quinn broke the offside trap, before striking beautifully across goal, but again the ball just refused to cross the line.
Ten minutes into the first period of injury time Rovers had a huge let off as Budden raced off her line to clatter Quinn. With the travelling support calling for a red card, the keeper's case was probably helped by the fact a couple of Hoops defenders made it back on the cover, so referee Oliver Moran opted for a yellow.
Understandably bodies were tiring in the second half of extra-time but as Rovers pushed, the Reds held firm, although Fiona Owens went close having found a yard of space at the back post but shot over.
The just as the tie seemed destined for penalties, and as the fourth official raised the board for two minutes added on, Megan Smyth Lynch - having won the initial free-kick out wide on the right - dramatically won the tie for the 10-players with a whipped in-swinging free-kick that looked to have taken a deflection on its way in to break Rovers hearts.
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden, Savannah McCarthy (Melissa O’Kane, 58’) Shauna Fox (Stephanie Zambra, 58’), Jessica Hennessy, Maria Reynolds, Aoife Kelly, Aine O’Gorman, Joy Ralph (Lauren Kelly, 102’), Scarlett Herron, Ella Kelly (Fiona Owens, 102’), Katie O’Reilly (Lia O’Leary, 58’)
Subs not used: Summer Lawless, Emily Corbet, Alannah Prozeman, Jaime Thompson
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan, Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Jess Gargan, Rachel Graham (Noelle Murray, 64’), Alex Kavanagh, Maggie Pierce, Christie Gray (Jemma Quinn, 86’), Roma McLoughlin (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 112’), Kate Mooney (Hannah Healy, 64’)
Subs not used: Caoimhe Magee, Nia Hannon, Rebecca Devereux, Katie McCarn, Lucy O’Rourke
Referee: Oliver Moran
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