St Patrick’s Athletic toppled FAI Cup champions, Derry City as the Inchicore men defeated the Candystripes, 4-3 on penalties, after a thrilling stalemate sent us to an epic shootout.

The scampering Paul McMullan on the left flank was lively for Derry but it was opening spell in which neither side could purposefully retain possession.

Adam O’Reilly then whisked a shot, packed with punch, an inch wide after escaping Jamie Lennon’s clutches, newly instated Brandon Kavanagh then drilling down Dean Lyness’ throat as the Cup holders began knocking on the St Pats’ door.

Another alteration went close, Cameron Dummigan smashing a pildedriver just past the top left corner, Jon Daly’s side weathering the early home pressure.

With five corners racked up inside the opening half hour, Derry still were posed with the puzzle of breaking down a deep-lying, meticulously organised St Pats’ defence, marshalled superbly at the centre of it by captain, Joe Redmond, scourge of the Candystripes on the season’s opening night.

Pats then enjoyed a few forays forward of their own, Mark Doyle at the heart of them as Conor Carty’s cute flick released Sam Curtis on the right, his cross not matching the quality of pass to him.

Growing into the contest, they then went closest to scoring, a quick throw finding Carty, the Ireland u21 attacker wedging a delicate chip goalwards, over Brian Maher, the ball drifting just wide.

Right on half time, the Inchicore side sliced through again on a swift break, Carty sending Curtis in again and his shot whistled in, requiring Maher’s feet saving to prevent the net bulging. 

As the hour ticked by, Derry continued to see more of the ball, but Pats’ counterattacking threat proved that possession wasn’t everything as Shane McEleney hobbled from the action, replaced by Mark Connolly.

Both managers made a double switch, Michael Duffy and Tommy Lonergan introduced on the wings, but Ciaran Coll was next to go near, planting a header not far wide.

Lyness was then called upon to preserve Pats goal, strong O’Reilly running finding Brandon Kavanagh whose cross was met by a clever flicked header from Jamie McGonigle, Lyness leaping to tip it over.

Five minutes later, it was home goalkeeper, Maher, saving superbly as Lonergan wafted a header towards the corner.

Will Patching then struck the post, a fantastic free kick sent in after Jamie Lennon unwisely scythed down a lively Ben Doherty.

Despite the flurry of chances, extra time began to beckon with time ticking away.

With nothing splitting the sides, into extra time we went, Derry for the second time in three days after Thursday’s exertions at Tallaght.

As both benches emptied, Derry substitutes, Connolly, and Danny Mullen, went close with soaring headers, the leggy hosts still pushing for a winner.

Redmond blocked brilliantly from Mullen as Mason Melia replaced the booked Lonergan, Jon Daly perhaps thinking ahead to penalties.

That was to foreshadow the eventuality ahead as Connolly spurned a late aerial chance to send it to spot kicks, Derry’s second shootout in four days.

Experienced duo, Chris Forrester and Patrick McEleney buried the first kicks confidently, Alex Nolan then putting Pats’ ahead.

Brandon Kavanagh found the top corner for 2-2, Jake Mulraney then blazing off target!

Danny Mullen made it advantage Derry with three penalties gone apiece, Kian Leavy levelling with Pats’ fourth finding the net.

Michael Duffy then scuffed his kick wide, which probed costly as Melia then netted. 

Up stepped Connolly to send it to sudden death but the defender struck the post, Lyness and St Pats’ able to celebrate deliriously, big reward for the travelled Inchicore fans.

More penalty shootout heartache for the Cup holders after Thursday’s European elimination, Derry dumped out of their second competition in seventy-two hours.

Premier Division duty beckons for both teams next, with these sides on the road in Dublin.  St Pats’ travelling to Belfield to face UCD, Derry to Dalymount Park for a clash with Bohs, those matches set for 7:45pm kick offs.