Dundalk advanced to their sixth consecutive FAI Cup final as they demolished Athlone Town in record breaking fashion last Sunday evening.
There was never any chance of another giant killing act to replicate the dismissal of Shelbourne in the quarter finals as Athlone suffered their biggest ever defeat.
The scoring was opened with just four minutes played and the tie was over by the half way stage as the Lilywhites held a six goal lead. Five more goals were added after the break as the home team finished the season on a disappointing note.
It had been a fairytale progression to the last four but the step up in class was always going to prove insurmountable against battle hardened European campaigners.
Athlone went into the game without any competitive action since beating Shelbourne. Suspended duo, Taner Dogan and Tumelo Tlou, were missing together with injured goalkeeper Aaron Myles and the hosts were soon in trouble.
Michael Duffy beat the offside trap to fire a low shot past Paddy Martyn making his debut between the posts. Dundalk were now on their way towards double figures.
The lead was doubled on nine minutes with Duffy again finding the target. A third goal arrived after 13 minutes when Andy Boyle headed home a corner at the far post.
Athlone enjoyed their best spell of the tie after the midway point of the half but could not open their goal account. Adam Lennon had the first home chance with Mark Birrane and Dean George being denied by veteran keeper Gary Rogers.
Athlone went further behind after 29 minutes when John Mountney arrived at the far post to meet a cross. Lennon had another chance to open the Town’s account but his effort flew across the goal and wide of the post.
The woodwork then denied Duffy his hat trick when his free kick hit the post but two more goals late in the half saw Dundalk coasting to victory, Chris Shields setting up Patrick McEleney to score and David McMillan made it six tapping in from close range.
Lee Duffy came on for the second half and had the best home chances. Ronan Manning fired an early free kick just over but Dundalk were more clinical.
Shields grabbed the first goal of the half on 55 minutes and Nathan Oduwa soon made it eight. Oduwa turned provider for goal number nine as McMillan fired home on 65 minutes.
Athlone kept Dundalk scoreless for the next 10 minutes as substitute Duffy headed a Jack Reynolds cross from the left off target. Dundalk eventually made it to double figures when substitute Jordan Flores finished off McEleney’s pass.
Duffy had two further chances for Athlone but not even a consolation score could be gained on a night to forget.
Dundalk finished off the massacre with goal number eleven with six minutes left to play.
Nine different players scored for the winners and Sean Murray added his name with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.
