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 Shamrock Rovers players celebrate a goal by Victor Ozhianvuna.James Lawlor/INPHO FreeMoving On Teen star Ozhianvuna on target as Shamrock Rovers progress in FAI Cup with 4-0 win Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney and Danny Madnroiu were also on target in the final 15 minutes against Wexford. 10.22pm, 18 Jul 2025 Share options Shamrock Rovers 4 Paul Buttner reports from Tallaght Stadium TEENAGER VICTOR OZHIANVUNA capped his full Shamrock Rovers debut with a sublime first goal for the club as Stephen Bradley’s side were made to work hard for their passage into the third round of the FAI Cup at Tallaght Stadium. While Ozhianvuna’s early lead brought the promise of a comfortable victory, Rovers didn’t put Stephen Elliott’s First Division Wexford to the sword until the final 15 minutes with goals from substitutes Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney and Danny Madnroiu. Rovers head coach Bradley spoke of the importance of trying to win the cup for a 26th time this year. And while regaining their title is Rovers main ambition, the FAI Cup brings added incentive this season. The winners of the domestic cup go into the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League first round, with a parachute into the Conference League second round if they are beaten, which carries a guaranteed minimum prize fund of €700,000, more than double what was previously on offer. Advertisement Eight points clear at top of Premier Division, with just one defeat in 14 games, Rovers made seven changes from their most recent competitive outing against Sligo Rovers, including starting debuts for Ozhianvuna and recent signing, striker John McGovern. Ably dealing with a confident start by Wexford, Rovers had to work hard to stamp their authority on the game, their first home tie in the competition in four years. Jack Byrne curled a shot wide before the small home crowd were treated to a terrific goal on eight minutes. Ozhianvuna came in off the left wing to position himself perfectly to meet Darragh Nugent’s on-the-money cross to score a with a crisp first time side-foot volley. Beaten by winners Drogheda United in the semi-finals last year, Wexford belied their poor recent form of just one win in seven games to trouble Rovers when they got forward, with the pace of ex-Rovers academy and Ireland youth international Ajibola Oluwabiyi a promising outlet. But Rovers were always capable of stretching the visitors’ rearguard with McGovern heading wide from Ozhianvuna’s cross while Michael Noonan and Byrne worked Paul Martin between the posts before half-time. 16 y/o Victor Ozhianvuna shows superb technique to finish off a fine team move! SHA 1-0 WEX pic.twitter.com/GBcoeal5jp— FAIreland (@FAIreland) July 18, 2025 Martin was soon to the rescue again with a couple of fine saves early in the second half to deny 16-year-old Michael Noonan. The threat from Oluwabiyi very much remained as Rovers had a let-off on 54 minutes when the teenage winger cut inside Lee Grace to arc a shot just wide. Frustrated with labouring to put the game to bed, Bradley made no fewer than five substitutions at once on 63 minutes with Dylan Watts, Mandroiu, Burke, Matt Healy and Gaffney sprung from the bench. The latter, latching onto a Nugent cross, brought a brave save from Martin with the keeper colliding with a post. That kept Wexford in the game as Ed McGinty soon had work to do to save from Mike Rowe. Rovers did finally kill off Wexford’s challenge on 75 minutes, Mandroiu linking with Nugent on the right to cross for Burke to show his composure from close range. Eight minutes later, Gaffney hooked home from almost on the goal line after Grace had nodded down Watts’ corner. Related Reads Cork City's Callum Honohan to join brother at Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers boost survival hopes as Derry City's title hopes take a hit Roy Keane ad and RTÉ boss miss the point as League of Ireland fans drive culture change Gaffney then set up Mandroiu to sweep home the fourth goal in the 90th minute. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Grace, Lopes, O’Sullivan; J. Honohan (Watts, 63), Nugent, O’Neill (Mandroiu, 63), Ozhianvuna; Byrne (Healy, 63); Noonan (Burke, 63), McGovern (Gaffney, 63). Wexford: Martin; McCarthy, Larkin, McCourt, Crawford (Browne, 86); O’Brien (D Levingston, 86); Rowe, Harnett (Haris, 64), McCormack, Oluwabiyi (Flynn, 77); Dobbs (Wasilewski, 77). Referee: Mark Houlihan (Dublin). Paul Buttner Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Teen star Ozhianvuna on target as Shamrock Rovers progress in FAI Cup with 4-0 win”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Teen star Ozhianvuna on target as Shamrock Rovers progress in FAI Cup with 4-0 win”. 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 Shamrock Rovers News in 60 seconds AnalysisSuperpowers Soaring Suaalii, jackal king McReight, and Joe's plays 17 mins ago Freeadvance Spain battle past Switzerland to reach Euro 2025 semi-finals 33 mins ago FreeOff the Mark Five-star Drogheda dismiss non-league Crumlin United to begin title defence 47 mins ago FreeAthletics Thompson and Tuthill win historic medals for Ireland at European U23 Championships Freeominous form Scheffler takes control of the Open with Lowry undone by missed putts and a fussy penalty Freenew recruit Arsenal academy graduate signs for Shelbourne Freepaying the penalty 'I can't have my name tossed around like that' - Lowry's Open challenge derailed by two-shot post-round penalty Tipperary U20 hero named on bench for All-Ireland final FreeTransfer News Liverpool target €80 million-rated French star regulations Samu forced to withdraw from Lions' final midweek match Ireland U20s make wholesale changes for Spain clash more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment 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