Dean George scored a brilliant hat-trick as Athlone Town stunned Premier Division Shelbourne at Lissywollen to book their place in the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.
Adrian Carberry’s side, who finished second bottom of the First Division, will now host either Bohemians or Dundalk in the midland club’s first appearance in the semi-finals of the Blue Riband since 1998.
Athlone shocked Shelbourne from the off, taking a third minute lead when George drilled home a cross from Adam Lennon.
Ciaran Kilduff equalised with a low drive four minutes later.
But Athlone regained the lead on 20 minute when captain Scott Delaney headed to the net from a David Brookes corner.
Ciaran Grogan and Brookes hit a post either side of half-time before Athlone extended their lead on 66 minutes.
Under no pressure, Shels right-back Aidan Friel passed straight to George who took the ball between two defenders to rifle a left-foot shot to the bottom corner of Jack Brady’s net.
The hat-trick arrived on 78 minutes and was the pick of the 22-year-old striker’s goals.
Ronan Manning threaded a perfect pass through the middle for George to run onto and shoot to the net from the edge of the area.
