FAI Cup holders Sporting Fingal were taken to a replay for the second time in this year's competition when they threw away a two-goal lead at home to a Limerick side who finished with 10 men. Liam Buckley's men were pegged back by another First Division club, Mervue United, in the previous round before coming through at the second time of asking, and a return trip to Jackman Park last night ( Monday) was the last thing Sporting needed ahead of this Friday's visit of Bohemians in the league ( 7.45pm).

The Ravens need to win the Dublin derby to retain serious hopes of qualifying for Europe through the league, but face a seemingly rejuvenated Bohs who still hope to make a successful defence of their Premier title despite their much-publicised off-field troubles.

Last Friday at Morton Stadium it all looked so rosy for Sporting initially as they made full use of their dominance in the possession stakes by racing into a 2-0 lead after just 19 minutes.

Indeed, Limerick's goal might have been pierced further before the break, but that profligacy would influence the eventual outcome as it allowed the visitors a scent of a revival – and so it turned out in a dramatic second period.

Sporting got off to a dream start when Ronan Finn opened the scoring after just four minutes, linking with Gary O'Neill who supplied the final ball for Finn to stroke home.

The home side were in control throughout the opening quarter as Limerick failed to get hold of possession for any length of time, and it wasn't long before Sporting doubled their lead.

This time a pin-point cross-field pass from Shaun Williams found Conan Byrne free at the back post. Byrne coolly volleyed past Dave Ryan in the Limerick goal.

Ten minutes later Shaun Maher had an excellent chance to make it 30 when he rose above the Limerick defence to head Byrne's corner over the crossbar.

It was beginning to look ominous as O'Neill and Finn were continuing to cause problems for Pat Scully's side, but they could not extend their lead.

Limerick's best opportunity came with 10 minutes left in the first half when Ger O'Brien gave away a free kick on the edge of the Sporting penalty area. Sean Kelly stepped up and put his free kick just inches over Darren Quigley's crossbar.

Scully made a change at the break in the hope that his side could salvage something from the tie, Timmy Kiely making way for Shane Clarke up front.

The change seemed to inspire Limerick as within four minutes of the restart they had pulled a goal back. Pat Purcell connected with a corner from Shane Tracy to head powerfully past Quigley and into the top corner.

This goal gave the visitors the lift they needed and they started to cause their hosts more problems.

With half an hour left on the clock Bobby Ryan was forced off injured and was replaced by Garbhan Coughlan who would give Limerick an extra spark going forward.

Williams came close to reinstating Fingal's two-goal lead when he spotted Ryan off his line. The midfielder attempted to catch the goalkeeper off guard, but Ryan recovered superbly to tap the ball over the crossbar.

On 73 minutes Limerick were dealt a massive blow when Tracy picked up his second yellow card of the night after a foul on Byrne.

O'Neill did have the ball in the Limerick net soon after, but he was adjudged to be offside and the goal was chalked off.

This would be a major turning point, and with two minutes of extra time played Tierney put a menacing free kick into the Sporting box, the defence failed to deal with it and O'Flynn pounced on a loose ball to level the game and force last night's replay. SPORTING FINGAL: Quigley, O'Brien ( James 90), Maher, Browne, Frost, Byrne, Williams, McFaul, Finn ( Kirby 89), Cahill ( Eamon Zayed 82), O'Neill. LIMERICK FC: D Ryan, Kelly, Purcell, Stanley, Judge, Kiely ( Clarke 46), B Ryan ( Coughlan 61), Sullivan, Tracy, O'Flynn, Tierney.

REFEREE: Damien Hancock ( Dublin).