Dublin City take first leg lead

McGill scored the winner

The Vikings opened the scoring with a stunning 30-yard Aidan Lynch drive just before half time only for the Hoops — who have never been relegated — to draw level shortly after the break courtesy of a Trevor Molloy penalty.

But with the game heading towards a draw, life long Rovers’ supporter McGill scored with a low 25-yard drive to give the Vikings a slender advantage ahead of Friday’s second leg at Tolka Park.

Dublin City were the better team in the first half although early on it was the Hoops who had the better opportunities with Willo McDonagh twice going close with headers.

But David McGill should have put Dublin in front in the 28th minute when he put his free header from a Dave Freeman cross inches wide of Barry Murphy’s post.

However, one minute before half time, the Vikings did open the scoring when Lynch beat a statuesque Murphy with a brilliant 30-yard pile driver.

Rovers came back strongly in the second half with Cathal O’Connor hitting the crossbar with a long range shot in the 51st minute before the home side were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute after Molloy was tripped by Ben Whelehan.

Molloy took the penalty himself and made no mistake sending Brendan Kennedy the wrong way though the Vikings grabbed a late winner wieh McGill fired home from the edge of the area.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Tracey, Foley, Shelley, Doyle; O’Connor, McDonagh, Kenny, Rutherford; Sheridan, Molloy.
Subs: Blake for Murphy (48 mins), Roche for Sheridan (76 mins), O’Halloran for Kenny (88 mins)

Dublin City: Kennedy; Lynch, Keely, Whelehan, Hedderman; Scully, McGill, Shiels, Collins; Vaughan, Freeman.
Subs: Kelly for Vaughan (68 mins), Pender for Lynch (75 mins), Mulcahys for Hedderman (90 mins).