Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Aberdeen players celebrate their success.Alamy Stock Photo Irish international makes long-awaited return as Aberdeen reach cup final Jamie McGrath came off the bench to help seal a memorable win. 3.43pm, 19 Apr 2025 Share options IRISH INTERNATIONAL Jamie McGrath made his first appearance since January and substitute Oday Dabbagh scored a late extra-time winner as Aberdeen eventually ground down nine-man Hearts to reach their first Scottish Cup final since 2017. It was McGrath’s first appearance since 12 January — he had initially expected to be out for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old’s excellent form in the first half of the campaign helped him secure a pre-contract move to Hibernian at the end of the season, while he helped seal a dramatic win this afternoon, after being introduced from the bench in the 69th minute. The game came too soon for Gavin Molloy, who has also been out since January, after impressing in the first half of the season. But the former Shelbourne player is reportedly nearing a return to full fitness as the Dons bid to end the season memorably. With the Hampden semi-final poised at 1-1 approaching half-time, Jambos defender Michael Steinwender was shown a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by bringing down Topi Keskinen. Advertisement The 10 men held firm to take the tie into extra time and looked like forcing it all the way to penalties before Cammy Devlin was dismissed in the 116th minute. The Dons capitalised within two minutes of the Australian’s dismissal when Palestinian forward Dabbagh fired home from close range to secure a 2-1 victory. Jimmy Thelin’s side will face the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Celtic and St Johnstone back at the national stadium on 25 May as they bid to land the trophy for the first time since 1990. Despite the spirit Hearts showed to hold out for so long with a numerical disadvantage, ultimately, it was another damaging result in Neil Critchley’s quest to win over an increasingly sceptical fanbase on the back of his side’s failure to make the top six of the William Hill Premiership the previous weekend. The Jambos’ head coach made three changes to the side that started the 0-0 draw at Motherwell, with Devlin, James Wilson and Lawrence Shankland all restored. Aberdeen made just one change to the side that started the 2-2 draw at home to 10-man Rangers as goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov took over from Ross Doohan after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained on international duty with Bulgaria last month. Hearts settled quicker than the Dons, who looked nervy in the opening 10 minutes, with Jamie McCart going close and Elton Kabangu having a couple of decent opportunities. After a fraught opening for Aberdeen, they started to find their way into the game and made the breakthrough from their first real chance in the 18th minute. Pape Gueye rose highest to head Leighton Clarkson’s corner off the underside of the bar and as the ball came down it struck the back of helpless Hearts keeper Craig Gordon and rolled over the line. Hearts managed to regain their composure, however, and they drew level in the 28th minute when captain Shankland met James Penrice’s cross from the left, took a touch and rifled a clinical finish through the legs of Mitov from eight yards for his first goal since February and only his fifth of the season. The Edinburgh side suffered a huge blow a minute before the break when Steinwender was shown a straight red after bringing down Keskinen as he burst away from him just outside the centre circle. Critchley responded by sending centre-backs Craig Halkett and Frankie Kent on in place of attackers Wilson and Kabangu, switching from 4-4-2 to a more compact 3-5-1 formation. Aberdeen threatened in the 53rd minute when Gueye glanced a header wide from Ante Palaversa’s cross but the 10 men in maroon generally kept their opponents at arm’s length as they stood firm to take the match into extra time. Hearts’ task was made even more difficult in the 116th minute when Devlin was sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Dante Polvara. The Dons eventually got the winner in the 118th minute when Dabbagh forced in the rebound after fellow substitute Jack Milne’s shot was saved by Gordon. Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy Press Association Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Irish international makes long-awaited return as Aberdeen reach cup final”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Irish international makes long-awaited return as Aberdeen reach cup final”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion gavin molloy Jamie McGrath Heart of Midlothian News in 60 seconds Southampton avoid making unwanted Premier League history, Man City close in on top 4 11 mins ago Freeanother thriller Late heartbreak for Connacht in high-scoring defeat to Stormers 15 mins ago FreeWinning Dublin get Leinster title defence underway with defeat of Meath 18 mins ago FreeJob Done Unimpressive France stay on course for Grand Slam showdown FreeBack in action McIlroy to return to action alongside Shane Lowry at Zurich Classic team event Freehalfway point Arsenal with work to do in Champions League second leg after late Lyon winner Ex-Croatia international Pokrivac dies at 39 Brendan Rodgers defends Adam Idah over leaked video - 'Sadly, it’s the way of the world' Matchwinner Dubliner scores crucial goal in Championship relegation 6 pointer Test your knowledge Know your sport? Take our weekly quiz RBC Heritage Lowry shoots 70, Fleetwood gets helping hand on comical 10th, and Thomas retains lead more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account