2023 FAI Cup

[Nesta99]

Annoy yourself less by shaving the soul patch for charity. You can donate it to the fund to keep Pat Hoban.....

But it's nice you can be a neutral...I struggle with that. Although I'd love to go to a Derry v Cork final. or maybe a Louth derby final. Has there been one?

AAHHAHHHHAAAAAAHAAAAA! Thats the funniest thing OTH No never happened, Drogheda and cup finals are like hens teeth and required selling the family silver whenever. One day maybe and certainly would be fun but its as likely as Louth in an All Ireland final.

Caring about records like Cup Final attendance is beyond unimportant - as unimportant as Dundalk being the fist LoI side to play a home game under floodlights....its trivia questions stuff not rivalry stuff. Its far more important that the leagues showpiece game has roper credibility with a full national stadium and we've been growing toward that target - organically tbh irrespective from past contempt from the FAI.

[EatYerGreens]

as unimportant as Dundalk being the fist LoI side to play a home game under floodlights....its trivia questions stuff not rivalry stuff.

Was that not Dalymount ?

[Nesta99]

Was that not Dalymount ?

Yes a big ommission there, in saying home game I meant 1st home European ties actually at home, full circle playing games in Dublin again. First hoe games under floodlights domestically outside Dublin/Dalymount. Such was the novelty at that time that teams travelled from both England and NI for friendlies under the floodlights, large curious crowds went a long way to pay for them. Then again Oriel Park at that times was considered one of if not the best league ground in the country - brand new stand, proper terracing, floodlights, new pitch having been turned 90degrees so was actually level, 4 sided spectator areas, bar facility, soup/bovril/food hatches shedside, commentary and TV gantry, easy access and egress.... then time stood still. Too young to remember but there was a stand behind the town goal that I think came from a NI club i think?!

[joey B]

37500 tickets sold for the final so far!

[EatYerGreens]

Yes a big ommission there, in saying home game I meant 1st home European ties actually at home, full circle playing games in Dublin again. First hoe games under floodlights domestically outside Dublin/Dalymount. Such was the novelty at that time that teams travelled from both England and NI for friendlies under the floodlights, large curious crowds went a long way to pay for them. Then again Oriel Park at that times was considered one of if not the best league ground in the country - brand new stand, proper terracing, floodlights, new pitch having been turned 90degrees so was actually level, 4 sided spectator areas, bar facility, soup/bovril/food hatches shedside, commentary and TV gantry, easy access and egress.... then time stood still. Too young to remember but there was a stand behind the town goal that I think came from a NI club i think?!

I think you're over-egging the impact of floodlights at Oriel Park to be honest. Distillery was the first club on the island to get lights, as early as 1952. Dalymount then followed in 1962, and Oreil 5yrs later in 1967. So I'm not sure lights were the great novelty you claim - certainly for English clubs in the late 1960s, and also not even for Irish League clubs at that time? If NI clubs wanted to play under lights, they had 15years to do so in Belfast before Dundalk got on the scene.

[EatYerGreens]

37500 tickets sold for the final so far!

Good to hear. Is that figure from the FAI?

With a bit of decent weather it might just break 40,000 after all.

[joey B]

Good to hear. Is that figure from the FAI?

With a bit of decent weather it might just break 40,000 after all.

Bohs tweeted it there…

[D24Saint]

Defo has a chance of the record. It should be a great day out.

[Demesne Lad]

I think you're over-egging the impact of floodlights at Oriel Park to be honest. Distillery was the first club on the island to get lights, as early as 1952. Dalymount then followed in 1962, and Oreil 5yrs later in 1967. So I'm not sure lights were the great novelty you claim - certainly for English clubs in the late 1960s, and also not even for Irish League clubs at that time? If NI clubs wanted to play under lights, they had 15years to do so in Belfast before Dundalk got on the scene.

When did 'Sam Prole's fairy lights' go up at Tolka Park?

[Jamesie]

When did 'Sam Prole's fairy lights' go up at Tolka Park?

I remember my first cup semi there in 1976 under lights. It could have been the Maracana as far as I was concerned. Pure magic

[bohsmug]

I remember my first cup semi there in 1976 under lights. It could have been the Maracana as far as I was concerned. Pure magic

Still is something wonderful about a game under floodlights all the same. Love when the evenings get darker. Love seeing the lights as you get closer. You'd sound like a madman if you kept going on about it being magic but it is a bit :-D

On the final itself my objective side says something I don't want to hear, so I'm trying not to listen. Bohs are backed into a corner now on two fronts. On one end we really should've finished in the top 4 given the position we were in and on the other is the fact we're playing a team that have proved themselves to be better than us. There's a clear favourite in my view but hopefully something *ahem* magic happens. It will mean a hell of a lot to Bohs to go and win the cup. Our eggs have been in that basket for years.

[sbgawa]

I keep hearing people saying devine out if bohs don't win the cup. I don't get it 007 was there for 7 years and won nothing divine gets to a cup final in his first season and with half an hour gone on the final day of the season was in fourth. What did bohs fans expect this year?

[ger121]

I keep hearing people saying devine out if bohs don't win the cup. I don't get it 007 was there for 7 years and won nothing divine gets to a cup final in his first season and with half an hour gone on the final day of the season was in fourth. What did bohs fans expect this year?

Europe. He has a big budget which Long did not have for years. Expectations are higher now that we are spending more money on a squad and have gone full-time. To finish in the same position as Long did last season is not good enough.

[Jamesie]

Europe. He has a big budget which Long did not have for years. Expectations are higher now that we are spending more money on a squad and have gone full-time. To finish in the same position as Long did last season is not good enough.

Except for Shels and Drogheda everyone finished where their budget allowed. . We were 2 goals off 5th so it's way better than last year with the cup final. Don't think there was much between Bohs and Pats btw. 10 men for most of one game...even the 0-2 could have gone either way

[2 Year Contract]

Pats have now sold out of all available tickets for the final. The only general sale tickets currently available are 2 premium blocks while there remains a few thousand unsold Bohs tickets in the upper tiers which will be helped by neutrals having no choice but to sit there now unless they want to pay the extra price of a premium ticket

[Another Bohemia]

Except for Shels and Drogheda everyone finished where their budget allowed. . We were 2 goals off 5th so it's way better than last year with the cup final. Don't think there was much between Bohs and Pats btw. 10 men for most of one game...even the 0-2 could have gone either way

What does finishing where your budget allows even mean?

Pat's sacked their manager because they were 7th, 11 points behind Bohs in May. They then clawed back those 11 points and ended up finishing 4 ahead of us. Pat's won 15 more points than Bohs since May and you don't think there's a lot between us?

But we were only 2 goals off 5th so that's grand.... We were top of the league in May and didn't even finish in the top half of the table! That's terrible. You can't even point to a huge amount of injuries to cover for the poor performances. The only long term injury was Williams until Bucko got injured. It was a masterclass in bottling a good start to the season. I didn't think we would win the league but we should not be finishing outside the top half. You can cry on about it being on goal difference all you want but it's makes no odds. 6th place is 6th place. The cup final is only plastering over the cracks at the moment.

[JC_GUFC]

Pats have now sold out of all available tickets for the final. The only general sale tickets currently available are 2 premium blocks while there remains a few thousand unsold Bohs tickets in the upper tiers which will be helped by neutrals having no choice but to sit there now unless they want to pay the extra price of a premium ticket

By a very rough estimate it looks like about 400 Premium tickets and maybe 3k tickets in the South Upper.

Obviously hard to know if Ticketmaster have kept any back but certainly looks like it will probably break 40k attendance.

[D24Saint]

By a very rough estimate it looks like about 400 Premium tickets and maybe 3k tickets in the South Upper.

Obviously hard to know if Ticketmaster have kept any back but certainly looks like it will probably break 40k attendance.

Ticketmaster also had Corporate tickets for sale in that stand. Not sure how they sold ?

[Jack B]

What does finishing where your budget allows even mean?

Pat's sacked their manager because they were 7th, 11 points behind Bohs in May. They then clawed back those 11 points and ended up finishing 4 ahead of us. Pat's won 15 more points than Bohs since May and you don't think there's a lot between us?

But we were only 2 goals off 5th so that's grand.... We were top of the league in May and didn't even finish in the top half of the table! That's terrible. You can't even point to a huge amount of injuries to cover for the poor performances. The only long term injury was Williams until Bucko got injured. It was a masterclass in bottling a good start to the season. I didn't think we would win the league but we should not be finishing outside the top half. You can cry on about it being on goal difference all you want but it's makes no odds. 6th place is 6th place. The cup final is only plastering over the cracks at the moment.

Largely agree with you from the outside looking in, I actually quite rate Bohs' squad and while they overperformed initially in leading the league I've found the drop-off pretty surprising. I think we've the better individual players but on the whole your squad is better and more balanced throughout and spent much of the season thinking Bohs were a likely shout for 3rd, not managing even the top half was underwhelming to say the least

[SkStu]

The Derry fans on here got it spot on at the beginning of the season in terms of what it would look like under Devine. Awful league campaign.

[D24Saint]

The Derry fans on here got it spot on at the beginning of the season in terms of what it would look like under Devine. Awful league campaign.

Surely Sunday is were the fate of the season lies for Bohs. The football under Daly has been effective if not pretty on the eye. In such a tight league you have to take what you can get unfortunately.

[Another Bohemia]

Surely Sunday is were the fate of the season lies for Bohs. The football under Daly has been effective if not pretty on the eye. In such a tight league you have to take what you can get unfortunately.

Sunday will decide the fate of the season for sure but the question is should it? Aside from the early season surge Bohs were average to bad in the league. There was a run of games from the end of April to the Middle of October where we didn't win an away game in the league. In that time we played UCD, Sligo and Drogheda and no offence to any of those teams but if you want to play European football you should be winning those games.

[bohsmug]

Sunday will decide the fate of the season for sure but the question is should it? Aside from the early season surge Bohs were average to bad in the league. There was a run of games from the end of April to the Middle of October where we didn't win an away game in the league. In that time we played UCD, Sligo and Drogheda and no offence to any of those teams but if you want to play European football you should be winning those games.

If Bohs win the cup, the season overall has been a success. Simply by virtue of winning our first national trophy in over a decade and where we came from in that time with nearly going out of business and all that came along with that. If Devine manages us to cup success then for me it'll always something I'll be hugely grateful for. Whether I think he's the right person long term is a different question. I've hoped he was but I don't think I've ever been convinced of it. Even if we win the cup, I still think he'll find himself under pressure next season. I never really get the sense that we've out-thought the opposition. I like him so we'll see.

[2 Year Contract]

Another 2 blocks of premium tickets released for pats (1 of which only has a handful left already), while they’ve now opened another big block of neutral seating in one of the upper tiers. Such a strange way to continue to sell tickets, surely at this stage they can see that people would prefer to select the block they want now rather than rationing off block by block when there likely won’t be a closed block of seats regardless in the entire ground come sunday

[nigel-harps1954]

Another 2 blocks of premium tickets released for pats (1 of which only has a handful left already), while they’ve now opened another big block of neutral seating in one of the upper tiers. Such a strange way to continue to sell tickets, surely at this stage they can see that people would prefer to select the block they want now rather than rationing off block by block when there likely won’t be a closed block of seats regardless in the entire ground come sunday

Zero excuse for not just opening up the blocks a couple of weeks ago and trying to get it all sold out. I know several people who didn't buy in the end up because of the lack of available seating in different parts of the ground for neutral support.

[wonder88]

Hope there is not a significant number of no-shows, like you are having with the womens national team games. Also 6,000 didn't turn up for the Dublin city marathon at the bank holiday weekend. Cost of accommodation must be a factor with that, so with two Dublin teams we should get close to the number of tickets sold.

[Dermobohs]

Surely Sunday is were the fate of the season lies for Bohs. The football under Daly has been effective if not pretty on the eye. In such a tight league you have to take what you can get unfortunately.
In fairness to Devine every single team has been inconsistent this season. A number of times pats fans have been bemoaning poor performances, Daly and pats began a run of results at the perfect time really.both sides have the basis of really decent teams, given the correct recruitment , to kick on next season.I’d be more confident of Daly accomplishing that sad to say.

[ger121]

Except for Shels and Drogheda everyone finished where their budget allowed. . We were 2 goals off 5th so it's way better than last year with the cup final. Don't think there was much between Bohs and Pats btw. 10 men for most of one game...even the 0-2 could have gone either way

I’ll just counter this by saying, we finished behind a Dundalk side that has been Jeckyll and Hyde all season on the pitch, who barely had a squad pre-season. While their off the field activities, must have made some of their fans long for the good old days under Peak 6.

We can sugar coat it what way we want but if we don’t win the cup then the season has been a disaster.

[2 Year Contract]

Hope there is not a significant number of no-shows, like you are having with the womens national team games. Also 6,000 didn't turn up for the Dublin city marathon at the bank holiday weekend. Cost of accommodation must be a factor with that, so with two Dublin teams we should get close to the number of tickets sold.

Good point, and you’re the first one I’ve seen mention no shows. I believe in 2021 that over 40k tickets were sold but the attendance on the day was 37k so to break that 41k attendance record realistically sales would have to hit maybe 42 or 43k at least IMO

[Jack B]

Over the 40k mark now.

[bohsmug]

Over the 40k mark now.


It is just amazing to see these kind of numbers, really is. When the finals moved back to Lansdowne there was that worry that it wouldn't work out. I hope this momentum keeps going, there's so many good things going on with attendances now. Agree that attendance and tickets sold aren't necessarily the same. I bought 6 tickets with only a guarantee of 2 going (including me) at the time but it was easy to find takers. You would imagine plenty of people (LOI lunatics basically) will have block booked a group of tickets the day they went on sale without guarantee of how many of the more casual fans will want/be able to go. These are very healthy numbers regardless and really encouraging to see another mini surge as we get closer to the event.

[2 Year Contract]

Another 2 blocks of premium tickets released for pats (1 of which only has a handful left already)

These 2 are sold out so we’re back to having no Pats tickets on sale. Again, a good problem to have but it’s a shame the club are now being limited on growing the fan base with potential floating fans

[D24Saint]

It is just amazing to see these kind of numbers, really is. When the finals moved back to Lansdowne there was that worry that it wouldn't work out. I hope this momentum keeps going, there's so many good things going on with attendances now. Agree that attendance and tickets sold aren't necessarily the same. I bought 6 tickets with only a guarantee of 2 going (including me) at the time but it was easy to find takers. You would imagine plenty of people (LOI lunatics basically) will have block booked a group of tickets the day they went on sale without guarantee of how many of the more casual fans will want/be able to go. These are very healthy numbers regardless and really encouraging to see another mini surge as we get closer to the event.

The FAI seem to work off tickets sold not scanned. The Greek home match attendance displayed was definitely not what was at the game.

[SkStu]

The FAI seem to work off tickets sold not scanned. The Greek home match attendance displayed was definitely not what was at the game.

Isnt the standard for attendance reporting being the number of tickets sold v scanned? I've seen that as a standard across multiple sports/events...

[EatYerGreens]

Good point, and you’re the first one I’ve seen mention no shows. I believe in 2021 that over 40k tickets were sold but the attendance on the day was 37k so to break that 41k attendance record realistically sales would have to hit maybe 42 or 43k at least IMO

Was there not a deal for international season ticket holders then? If so, you'd expect some of them to not be hugely motivated by LOI football and therefore more likely to pull a no-show in bad weather than people who had actively sought out the tickets?

[2 Year Contract]

Was there not a deal for international season ticket holders then? If so, you'd expect some of them to not be hugely motivated by LOI football and therefore more likely to pull a no-show in bad weather than people who had actively sought out the tickets?
No there wasn’t. The cup final used to be included in the FAI season ticket but it hasn’t been for the last few years

[nigel-harps1954]

There was an option for FAI season ticket holders to buy tickets early in a presale during the summer, but there's no free tickets included anymore.

[pineapple stu]

I think 2019 might have been the last time it was included?

[brendy_éire]

It is just amazing to see these kind of numbers, really is. When the finals moved back to Lansdowne there was that worry that it wouldn't work out. I hope this momentum keeps going, there's so many good things going on with attendances now.

I'd just temper that with a point that to reach these numbers, it needs to be two Dublin teams in the final, or maybe a Dub team with Derry or Cork.
We brought 22k or so last year, but that was exceptional, and wonder if we'd be able to repeat it.

A couple of non-Dublin teams would do well to hit 30k, for example.

[total hoofball]

I think 2019 might have been the last time it was included?

Yes correct I had Ireland season ticket from 2017-2019 it was 5 x Ireland games plus Premium access for FAI Cup final. Since the Ireland season ticket resumed in 2022 it's now for 6 x Ireland games not FAI Cup final included anymore

[JC_GUFC]

I'd just temper that with a point that to reach these numbers, it needs to be two Dublin teams in the final, or maybe a Dub team with Derry or Cork.
We brought 22k or so last year, but that was exceptional, and wonder if we'd be able to repeat it.

A couple of non-Dublin teams would do well to hit 30k, for example.

Yeah - I think had we made the final we'd probably only have hit the 10k mark in terms of support. I guess a lot of neutrals, such as Rovers fans, would've been more inclined to come to see us in the final rather than a final of two of their Dublin rivals, so that would boost the attendance but depending on the opposition 30k could be a struggle. In saying that if you look at the cup final attendances from 20+ years ago that would be a huge crowd.

Maybe 10k is an understatement though, the hype generated by the cup final and the general hype around the league could possibly see a lot more support come out for the club from GAA fans etc. Even for GAA though I think Galway aren't the best fans for travelling.

[JC_GUFC]

By a very rough estimate it looks like about 400 Premium tickets and maybe 3k tickets in the South Upper.

Obviously hard to know if Ticketmaster have kept any back but certainly looks like it will probably break 40k attendance.

It looks like there are fewer than 100 Premium tickets yet and probably only about 1k tickets in total.

My guess would be that section in the Upper West was held back for some sponsors or clubs rather than anything Ticketmaster had done deliberately.

[JC_GUFC]

It looks like there are fewer than 100 Premium tickets yet and probably only about 1k tickets in total.

My guess would be that section in the Upper West was held back for some sponsors or clubs rather than anything Ticketmaster had done deliberately.


Well more tickets have now been made available in both Premium and different sections of the ground.

If anyone looking for decent Premium tickets a few in section 306, halfway of East Stand are now on Ticketmaster.

[nigel-harps1954]

Well more tickets have now been made available in both Premium and different sections of the ground.

If anyone looking for decent Premium tickets a few in section 306, halfway of East Stand are now on Ticketmaster.

Seems to be a handful of resale tickets and a few extra blocks of premium tickets available since this morning. I'd reckon there's an awful lot of blocks purposely being left empty by ticketmaster and FAI. Either way, 40k tickets being sold is good going a few days out from the final.

[Pablo Escobar]

I bought a family ticket which is stated as 2 x Adults and 2 x Children. There’s only going to be 3 of us going so a child’s ticket left over. However, when I downloaded the tickets there’s no discernible difference between any of the tickets. Not that I’d ever do it, but could I hypothetically give it away to an adult friend? :D

[Nesta99]

Well you could hypothetically do what ever you like with it, even stick it up his nose, but if he wants to give it a go getting in on a juvenile ticket then let him at it. Its up to the stewards to check every time he enters his block never mind at the turnstiles.

[Pablo Escobar]

Not sure what happened my last post. Anyway, what I was saying was that I don’t see any difference between the tickets and in a roundabout way was asking if somebody knew what I was missing. It’ll either be give it away to someone who can use it or it goes to waste.

As for sticking them up my nose, they’re digital so it depends what platform I’m using but it’d likely be difficult.

[Nesta99]

His nose! I would never be so rude to a fellow foot.ie poster...

[EatYerGreens]

Seems to be a handful of resale tickets and a few extra blocks of premium tickets available since this morning. I'd reckon there's an awful lot of blocks purposely being left empty by ticketmaster and FAI. Either way, 40k tickets being sold is good going a few days out from the final.

Looks like quite a few full blocks of Premium tickets in the Bohs end were only just realised recently. Which seems feckin' daft to be honest to do so this late on.

[2 Year Contract]

Looks like quite a few full blocks of Premium tickets in the Bohs end were only just realised recently. Which seems feckin' daft to be honest to do so this late on.

Despite being in the ‘bohs end’ of the ground those blocks you’re referring to (310-315) are neutral sections rather than Bohs ones, you can see when you select one of them it states ‘Adult ticket’ rather than ‘Bohemian FC Adult ticket’ as the Bohs ones do and ‘St Patrick's Athletic FC Adult ticket’ on the pats ones before they sold out. Agreed it’s bizarre leaving it this late to open blocks however