Stephen Trimble was the hero with two saves in a shootout to put Drogheda United into the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup as they beat Dundalk 3-2 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw at Hunky Dorys Park.

Trimble stopped Dundalk's first two kicks before Gavin Brennan eventually stepped up to fire home the decisive penalty

Midfielder Eric Foley had put Drogheda ahead on 33mins from a stunning 25-yard free kick.

Dundalk levelled two minutes before the hour mark when Mark Griffin volleyed past Trimble having been set up by John Mountney.

Garbhan Coughlan scored twice but was then sent off as First Division Limerick made the last four as they once again stunned Bray Wanderers 3-1 at the Carlisle Grounds.

Pat Scully’s Shannonsiders twice beat Bray 4-0 at the same venue last season.

And they blitzed Bray once more to all but end this game by the 21st minute when they cruised into a 3-0 lead.

Coughlan got his first on 12mins when flicking home with his heel from strike partner Rory Gaffney’s long throw.

Three minutes later Gaffney nodded down a long clearance into the path of Coughlan who rifled a 25-yarder to the net.

The Bray defence was all over the place again within a further six minutes when Gary Sheahan galloped through onto David O’Leary’s pass to lift the ball over keeper Darren Quigley.

Bray hit back through a Jason Byrne penalty on 55mins after a handball by Shaun Kelly.

But try as they might, Bray wasted a host of chances to get back into it with Byrne, twice, and John Mulroy missing the target when they should have scored.

Coughlan almost grabbed his hat-trick on 88mins but his fierce shot was partially saved by Quigley before Shane O’Connor headed the loose ball off the line.

Coughlan was then sent off on 92mins for a foul on Mulroy, his second booking.