The Aviva Stadium will be the scene where Shamrock Rovers take on Cork City in the FAI Cup final. It will be the first Dublin-Cork final since 1998 when Cork City faced Shelbourne in Dalymount Park.
The Hoops and the Leesiders will face each other for the fifth time this season on November 9th. Both wins in the fixtures fell to Rovers in Tallaght stadium. Both clubs, and both sets of supporters, have had memorable routes to the final this year.
Road to the Final: Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers began their FAI Cup campaign with their first home fixture in over four years when they played First Division side Wexford FC. The Hoops ran out 4-0 winners with soon to be Arsenal academy prospect Victor Ozhianvuna scoring his first professional goal.
Rovers were awarded another home tie against First Division opposition Longford Town, where they edged a 2-1 narrow win, with penalty kicks awarded either side of the half.
Rovers took the lead early from Drogheda United, away in the quarter final. An early goal by tournament top goalscorer Graham Burke was levelled in stoppage time by United’s Andy Quinn, sending the game to extra time and subsequently a penalty shootout.
Ed McGinty came up trumps in the shootout for the Hoops, saving three penalties including preventing Darragh Markey from scoring a sudden death winner before saving Dare Kareem’s spot kick to send the travelling supporters into a frenzy.
Kerry FC awaited the Tallaght side after their thrilling 4-3 comeback against Sligo Rovers. This trick wouldn’t be repeated however as Shamrock Rovers booked their place in the final with a convincing 6-1 victory over “The Kingdom”.
Road to the Final: Cork City
Cork City entered the FAI Cup off the back of a winless run of 13 league games. Their first competitive win in nearly three months would be accrued with a professional 3-0 win over non-league side Leicester Celtic.
The Rebel Army’s next challenge would be a feisty Munster derby with John Coleman’s Waterford FC. With both clubs having newly appointed managers, it was always going to be a tight affair. The winning goal came ten minutes from time when substitute Kaedyn Kamara headed home from six yards.
Finn Harps in Ballybofey would be next on the agenda for Ger Nash’s City, where they eased past a poor Harps team 3-0 to set up a mouthwatering clash with Saint Patrick’s Athletic in Turners Cross.
The semi-final came at an interesting time for Cork, with protests planned before the game over incidents relating to owner Dermot Usher. However the only riot to be seen was on the pitch, as the Rebels swept the Saints 3-0, a scoreline becoming synonymous now with City.
The FAI Cup final will have high stakes for both finalists as Shamrock Rovers chase a first domestic double since 1987 and Cork City aim to salvage their disastrous league campaign with a trophy and a spot in next year’s Europa League qualifiers.
