Encouraged by their opening success, RISSC settled into a comfortable rhythm and set the early tone of the match. Finton McKeon and Donnie Mullen exerted midfield influence and the strike duo of Coffey and Dempsey repeatedly troubled the Middlesbrough SC back line. Their superiority was emphasised midway through the half when the efferescent Dempsey took on the opposition defence and scored a fine individual goal to double the lead.

Despite the two goal deficit, Middlesbrough SC showed great resilience and began to battle back into the game. They were rewarded , minutes before half time, when they reduced the arrears following a corner. When the half time whistle sounded, Manager Paul Franklin and his RISSC players knew they still had some work to do if they were to prevail in this encounter.

The early stages of the second half were evenly contested with both sides enjoying periods of possession without really threatening a goal. On the hour mark, there came a breakthrough and it was the visitors who breached the RISSC defence to score the equaliser. The game continued to be keenly contested with both sides seeking the opening that would provide a goal and the lead.

There were a number of good efforts with Mullen and Brian Moriarty being unlucky when their respective shots struck the crossbar. Coffey and McKeon also went close with speculative shots. The quality of play was such that a goal was merited and a beautiful combination between midfield duo McKeon and Mullen released Dempsey inside the penalty area. Dempsey was calmness personified as he drove the ball to the net to complete his hat trick and regain the lead for RISSC.

As the game approaced its’ finale, there was a certain degree of tension evident in both sets of players. RISSC nerves were calmed when a moment of rashness by an opposition defender brought Dempsey crashing to the ground. Dempsey picked himself up and from the resultant penalty kick, fired RISSC through to the next round of the Cup.

With time almost elapsed and a two goal cushion, RISSC were able to control the tempo of the closing stages and indeed came close to extending their lead when substitute Paddy McGee clipped the crossbar with a swerving shot.