Waterford 3-2 Dundalk
Phoenix from the flames or Waterford's football phoenix rising - The Blues are just one game away from their first FAI Cup final since 2004.
On a famous RSC night, Danny Searle's First Division side ultimately outplayed, out-fought and out-thought the top flight Lilywhites to advance to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.
Waterford's first Blue Riband victory over the visitors in this competition since 1986 - when they went on to lose to Shamrock Rovers in the decider - was fully merited against a team that won three of the six consecutive Aviva showpiece finals contested to 2020.
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Phoenix Patterson's 65th minute 'worldie' proved to be the winning goal with the left winger - a thorn all evening in Dundalk's defence - cutting inside from the left sideline before curling an unstoppable right foot shot high into the far top corner.
A goal good enough to win any game but following last year's last four exit to Bohemians those on Suirside will fervently hope that they can go all the way and lift the cup for the first time since 1980.
Patterson - coveted by most top fight clubs - is a real gem but there was no shortage of others who rose to the occasion with midfield dynamo Niall O'Keeffe and centre has Killian Cantwell superb.
Waterford still aim to play in the Premier Division next season and displays like this augur well for the promotion play-offs.
Dundalk will now seek to ensure that European qualification remains in their own hands but their form - plus the loss of the injured Pat Hoban and Daniel Kelly - places a question mark over this.
Searle kept faith with the same side that lost 2-1 to Cork City's 94th minute winner a week earlier.
But O'Donnell - in his 100th game in charge as a manager- rang the changes following his side's 3-2 defeat at UCD with Robbie Benson, Brian Gartland, Paul Doyle, John Mountney and John Martin replacing Sam Bone, Keith Ward, Darragh Leahy, Ryan O'Kane and David McMillan.
The overhaul certainly had the desired effect with The Lilywhites controlling the middle of the park even if their lead goal in the 11th minute was a mix of inspiration and good fortune.
Junior Quitirna strayed offside and under football's ever evolving laws, Paul Doyle was able too take the resultant free kick just inside the home half even if The Blues' striker was just inside the Dundalk half when his team mate struck his pass.
FIFA now says that the team with the free kick takes the set piece from where the offside player touched the ball.
Doyle's stunning strike sent keeper Paul Martin scrambling back, tipping the shot off the underside of the bar only for the ball to bounce down off the ground, hit the bar for a second time on its way over the line.
As unusual a goal to grace this famous competition for many a year and one that stunned the First Division side.
And when Power's error in the 25th minute gifted possession to Steven Bradley inside the box, Waterford's cup dreams hung in the balance - Martin's swift response allowing him to smother the striker's shot.
Gradually, the home side gained a foothold in the game and Lewis Macari needed to be alert to deny the busy Patterson.
By the 31st minute Waterford were level when Wassim Aouachria's deep cross was headed a few yards outside the box where the inrushing Sjane Griffin met the ball with the perfect half volley that beat Nathan Shepperd low inside his right hand upright.
Shepperd might have got down more quickly but Griffin's strike was sweet, the goal igniting the nervous home crowd.
Dundalk's injury problems deepened in the 39th minute when Doyle was forced off with a knee injury and by the interval they were also behind in the tie.
Patterson's free kick from the left picked out Kilian Cantwell at the far post with the skipper's downwards header teeing up Power whose powerful right foot drive few high into the net.
Dundalk's recent poor form and this double blow would now test their resolve and with no real sense that the tide was again turning their way, O'Donnell sent on Runar Hauge and Ryan O'Kane.
O'Kane's low effort in the 64th minute was deflected wide but 60 seconds later the tie was effectively decided by Patterson's moment of magic.
Dundalk largely huffed and puffed for the remaining 35 minutes plus six of injury time although substitute Keith Ward's 94th minute goal sent home hearts a fluttering.
But The Blues rightly held on to win to spark joyous scenes of celebration amongst the home fans in the crowd of 3,612.
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