2024 FAI Cup

[2 Year Contract]

No! Apparently it's on Saturday the 16th at 2 o'clock.

Yeah that’s been confirmed now. Fixtures taken from RTE article on it:

Play-off fixtures
Semi-Final 1st legs - Thursday 24 October
Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
Athlone Town v Wexford, Athlone Town Stadium, 7.4pm
Semi-Final 2nd legs - Monday 28 October
Wexford v Athlone Town, Ferrycarrig Park, 3pm
UCD v Bray Wanderers, UCD Bowl, 5pm
Final - Saturday 2 November
UCD/Bray v Athlone/Wexford, Dalymount Park, 4pm
Promotion/relegation play-off - Saturday 16 November
Drogheda United v UCD/Bray/Athlone/Wexford, venue tbc, 2pm

[legendz]

An expected decision that the promotion relegation playoff would be pushed back a week. Something like that was mentioned on a fixtures list a few years back.

[nr637]

I have a couple of pals who are drogheda fans and they tell me that theyve more or less sold out their allocation of 15,000 and that theyve been given a new block of tickets in the west upper to sell !
Almost hard to believe , but seems theres a serious buzz around that club at the moment

If Drogheda are bringing that many, how many would they expect to follow them for their League play-off decider the following week, especially if they win the FAI Cup?

I suppose the venue for this would then have to be Tallaght! :confused:

[brendy_éire]

Th charter train from Derry sold out in minutes, despite the relatively pricey fare of £48.50.

Surprised at the interest this year, thought 2022 may have just been a one-off.

[dcfc_legend9]

Th charter train from Derry sold out in minutes, despite the relatively pricey fare of £48.50.

Surprised at the interest this year, thought 2022 may have just been a one-off.

Why what gave you the impression that it wouldnt be as popular this year as it was in 2022. Attendances on the up and the League of Ireland is now becoming mainstream in Ireland.

You are no longer an outlier. Its now cool to be a league of Ireland fan.

[EatYerGreens]

Why what gave you the impression that it wouldnt be as popular this year as it was in 2022. Attendances on the up and the League of Ireland is now becoming mainstream in Ireland.

You are no longer an outlier. Its now cool to be a league of Ireland fan.

Mehh - I preferred it when we were unique.

Hard to know what sport I'll have to move on to next to keep my edginess so. Would there be many at the club basketball these days? I've always had a soft spot for the 'Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU' team.

[2 Year Contract]

Drogheda have released their new jersey which will be worn in the cup final. Rookie move, everyone knows wearing a new kit in a final is the kiss of death. The jersey itself isn’t great as a home jersey, this years one was better IMO

https://x.com/droghedaunited/status/1849496159569555535?s=46

[EatYerGreens]

Drogheda have released their new jersey which will be worn in the cup final. Rookie move, everyone knows wearing a new kit in a final is the kiss of death. The jersey itself isn’t great as a home jersey, this years one was better IMO

https://x.com/droghedaunited/status/1849496159569555535?s=46

Looking to cash in on a game that they'll already be getting a handsome payday from anyway.

Feels a bit grasping tbh ?

[2 Year Contract]

Looking to cash in on a game that they'll already be getting a handsome payday from anyway.

Feels a bit grasping tbh ?

Totally understand it financially, just a silly superstition is all

[bohsmug]

Design looks like something from a movie poster for a cheap late 90's SciFi/Horror

[oriel]

Just on the cup final, and I'll balance it out before any digs (Dundalk absolutely deserved to be relegated), Drogs had easiest ever route to a cup final.

Dundalk - FD bound - and at home
Weakest NL - home again
Athlone -FD- -QF - away
Wexford - FD - Semi - Home again

Couldn't make it up for an easier route, esp in bold.

[Cosmo]

Just on the cup final, and I'll balance it out before any digs (Dundalk absolutely deserved to be relegated), Drogs had easiest ever route to a cup final.

Dundalk - FD bound - and at home
Weakest NL - home again
Athlone -FD- -QF - away
Wexford - FD - Semi - Home again

Couldn't make it up for an easier route, esp in bold.

You're correct, dundalk was by far our handiest match on our way to the final. That result changed our season too, ensuring we wouldn't come last in the league

[Nesta99]

Good effort but that result ensured nothing bar progression to the next round of the cup! Dundalk FC ensured that you wouldnt come last in the league all on our own.

[Shearer]

Just on the cup final, and I'll balance it out before any digs (Dundalk absolutely deserved to be relegated), Drogs had easiest ever route to a cup final.

Dundalk - FD bound - and at home
Weakest NL - home again
Athlone -FD- -QF - away
Wexford - FD - Semi - Home again

Couldn't make it up for an easier route, esp in bold.
Never understood people going on about who clubs do and don't play when progressing through a cup competition.

It's an open draw, you can only play what's in front of you. Wexford got similar grief, as did Treaty in 2022 despite the fact it was only the second time since '91 that a side from the City got to the last four.

[Cosmo]

Good effort but that result ensured nothing bar progression to the next round of the cup! Dundalk FC ensured that you wouldnt come last in the league all on our own.

Doherty has said that match was the turning point for our season in the league - and he's right. Thanks!

[Straightstory]

Yeah that’s been confirmed now. Fixtures taken from RTE article on it:

Play-off fixtures
Semi-Final 1st legs - Thursday 24 October
Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
Athlone Town v Wexford, Athlone Town Stadium, 7.4pm
Semi-Final 2nd legs - Monday 28 October
Wexford v Athlone Town, Ferrycarrig Park, 3pm
UCD v Bray Wanderers, UCD Bowl, 5pm
Final - Saturday 2 November
UCD/Bray v Athlone/Wexford, Dalymount Park, 4pm
Promotion/relegation play-off - Saturday 16 November
Drogheda United v UCD/Bray/Athlone/Wexford, venue tbc, 2pm

I wonder why the play-off final is in Richmond Park? Is Tallaght unavailable? Far better stadium, better transport links, larger capacity. On the face of it, a poor decision to have it at Pats.

[Nesta99]

Doherty has said that match was the turning point for our season in the league - and he's right. Thanks!

It was a turning point, it ensured nothing but progressing to the next round. You are welcome!

[Cosmo]

I wonder why the play-off final is in Richmond Park? Is Tallaght unavailable? Far better stadium, better transport links, larger capacity. On the face of it, a poor decision to have it at Pats.

Agree with yoy, disappointed it's not in tallaght!

[smasherdrog]

Agree with yoy, disappointed it's not in tallaght!
if Drogs win the cup they’d easily sell 10,000 tickets for the play-off if the venue was big enough.

[brendy_éire]

I wonder why the play-off final is in Richmond Park? Is Tallaght unavailable? Far better stadium, better transport links, larger capacity. On the face of it, a poor decision to have it at Pats.

Richmond is cheaper to rent than Tallaght? That'd be my guess.

[2 Year Contract]

if Drogs win the cup they’d easily sell 10,000 tickets for the play-off if the venue was big enough.

No chance! You’re aware that you’re saying they’d bring the largest crowd a club has brought to any domestic game in decades? (FAI Cup finals aside)

[Neish]

Just on the cup final, and I'll balance it out before any digs (Dundalk absolutely deserved to be relegated), Drogs had easiest ever route to a cup final.

Dundalk - FD bound - and at home
Weakest NL - home again
Athlone -FD- -QF - away
Wexford - FD - Semi - Home again

Couldn't make it up for an easier route, esp in bold.

Cup draws are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

Drogheda got to the cup final, in a few years times very few will remember who they beat to get there

[total hoofball]

Richmond is cheaper to rent than Tallaght? That'd be my guess.
Yes which will also relate to the anticipated attendance, the participating teams and location of the teams. Last season's play-off final held in Tallaght between Cork and Waterford only attracted an attendance of 4032 which you would expect was a good bit less than what was anticipated due to Tallaght being selected so you would not expect Drogheda versus any of the current four First Division participants to exceed 4000 attendance making Richmond a sensible choice

[nr637]

Yes which will also relate to the anticipated attendance, the participating teams and location of the teams. Last season's play-off final held in Tallaght between Cork and Waterford only attracted an attendance of 4032 which you would expect was a good bit less than what was anticipated due to Tallaght being selected so you would not expect Drogheda versus any of the current four First Division participants to exceed 4000 attendance making Richmond a sensible choice

What about the 15,000 odd so called Drogs fans going to the AVIVA for the FAI Cup final!

If Drogs win, will many of that 15,000 follow a Cup winning team to a play-off wherever it is!

[Cosmo]

What about the 15,000 odd so called Drogs fans going to the AVIVA for the FAI Cup final!

If Drogs win, will many of that 15,000 follow a Cup winning team to a play-off wherever it is!

I reckon we'd have brought a bigger crowd to tallaght than inchicore.

Just like all other teams in FAI Cup finals, majority of supporters on Cup final day will be there for the one off event. Inchicore doesn't really have the feel of an "event", whereby tallaght woukd be much more appealing to some supporters who'll show up for the FAI Cup

[Straightstory]

My heart sank when I saw the play-off was going to be in Inchicore. I'm not even a Rovers fan, but I often go to see them play (and cheer them on) in Europe. Always a pleasure to go to a 'proper' stadium.
Richmond Park, by comparison is like something from the 1950s. Very quaint and all that, and not without a certain charm - but it's in the stone age compared to Tallaght. Havig the game there will definitely have a negative effect on the attendance.

[nigel-harps1954]

Can definitely see the argument for having the final in Inchicore. Given it'll be either Athlone or Bray against Drogheda, I'm not convinced Richmond Park will come close to a sell out for it.

Tallaght would have been a nicer ground for it, but 3,000 people in a 10,500 capacity stadium would have looked dreadful, as it did for the womens FAI Cup final.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

My heart sank when I saw the play-off was going to be in Inchicore. I'm not even a Rovers fan, but I often go to see them play (and cheer them on) in Europe. Always a pleasure to go to a 'proper' stadium.
Richmond Park, by comparison is like something from the 1950s. Very quaint and all that, and not without a certain charm - but it's in the stone age compared to Tallaght. Havig the game there will definitely have a negative effect on the attendance.

Rovers stadium easily the best in the league in terms of capacity , facilities etc. , unfortunately it's also in the most soulless place in Ireland

[dundalkfc10]

I reckon we'd have brought a bigger crowd to tallaght than inchicore.

Just like all other teams in FAI Cup finals, majority of supporters on Cup final day will be there for the one off event. Inchicore doesn't really have the feel of an "event", whereby tallaght woukd be much more appealing to some supporters who'll show up for the FAI Cup

Inchicore will be much better for atmosphere.
I get the charms of Tallaght etc excellent facilities but as an away fan, I don't look forward to it anymore
No atmosphere for 90% of games (not that we will have to worry about it for a while)
Give me Bohs, Pats, Shels away any day of the week.

Maybe I'm old school and like standing on a terrace to watch football. Bohs new stadium plans with terracing is a far better idea than an all seater stadium

[Cosmo]

Inchicore will be much better for atmosphere.
I get the charms of Tallaght etc excellent facilities but as an away fan, I don't look forward to it anymore
No atmosphere for 90% of games (not that we will have to worry about it for a while)
Give me Bohs, Pats, Shels away any day of the week.

Maybe I'm old school and like standing on a terrace to watch football. Bohs new stadium plans with terracing is a far better idea than an all seater stadium

From a selfish point of view I prefer terracing, good away section for atmosphere, etc

But since I’ve starting bringing my kids, there are some away grounds I won’t bring the 2 youngest to. The 2 youngest (10 and 8) are girls so the state of toilets are a factor - aswel as being able to get a covered seat. I bring the oldest fella anywhere though.

Tbh inchicore is one I’ve brought the girls to and they had zero complaints.

But if we want the league to grow, we need to make it attractive to families. Even for league of Ireland matches, you feel like you are going to a “big match” outside the ground before a rovers match. It’s definitely more appealing than inchicore for bigger matches

[dundalkfc10]

From a selfish point of view I prefer terracing, good away section for atmosphere, etc

But since I’ve starting bringing my kids, there are some away grounds I won’t bring the 2 youngest to. The 2 youngest (10 and 8) are girls so the state of toilets are a factor - aswel as being able to get a covered seat. I bring the oldest fella anywhere though.

Tbh inchicore is one I’ve brought the girls to and they had zero complaints.

But if we want the league to grow, we need to make it attractive to families. Even for league of Ireland matches, you feel like you are going to a “big match” outside the ground before a rovers match. It’s definitely more appealing than inchicore for bigger matches

I'd agree with you with the kids. Not having a go at Drogheda as Oriel is as bad, but for example I'm taking the wee fella 8 yr old Friday and il make sure I'm in the ground before 7 so we can get a space at the fence at the front as otherwise he wouldn't be able too see a thing.

Took him to the stand earlier in season and he wasn't happy he wasn't in with all the Dundalk fans so rules out going in there (not that I think we will have too many on Friday)

[redarmyfaction]

Rovers stadium easily the best in the league in terms of capacity , facilities etc. , unfortunately it's also in the most soulless place in Ireland

A soulless stadium in a soulless suburb, much prefer Itchycore.

[yurt]

12,000 neutrals? No chance I fear. I'd say 5,000 or so would be a good showing. It's on TV after all, and the November cup finals have a history of being chilly as feck.

Plus your split there would mean a crowd of 42,000, which won't be happening either.

I'd expect Derry to have a lot more there than Drogheda, but Drogheda could also surprise everyone with how many they bring. So I'd guess 18-20,000 Derry, 10-12,000 Drogheda, and then 3-5,000 neutrals.

I'm generally overly optimistic when it come to these things but I think 40-45k+ is a pretty reasonable (weather permitting) expectation at this stage given there was 30k tickets sold 2-3 weeks before the event itself.

I think if it's a fine day there could be a lot of families who decide to rock up on the day. I think it's easy to underestimate the place the media has in publicising the event. The Cup final should get a decent preview across the airways given the increased profile of the LOI generally in the past few seasons.

Definitely the glass half full opinion, but I think it's optimism rather than the blind optimism which I've definitely had in many times gone by.

[EatYerGreens]

I'm generally overly optimistic when it come to these things but I think 40-45k+ is a pretty reasonable (weather permitting) expectation at this stage given there was 30k tickets sold 2-3 weeks before the event itself.

I think if it's a fine day there could be a lot of families who decide to rock up on the day. I think it's easy to underestimate the place the media has in publicising the event. The Cup final should get a decent preview across the airways given the increased profile of the LOI generally in the past few seasons.

Definitely the glass half full opinion, but I think it's optimism rather than the blind optimism which I've definitely had in many times gone by.

Apparently sales are currently at the 32-33,000 level. You'd expect that the vast majority of those who intend to go have already bought tickets, so I'd personally say that anything over 35k or 36k would be good at this stage.

[outspoken]

Another failure in FAI targets if it doesn't sell out, just like the unrealistic target they set for a third tier.

[bohsmug]

Don't think we're at the stage yet where we can call getting over 30K to a cup final a "failure", regardless of the ambitious target. If we get anywhere near the 40k mark we're doing really well and not quelling that momentum.

[2 Year Contract]

Don't think we're at the stage yet where we can call getting over 30K to a cup final a "failure", regardless of the ambitious target. If we get anywhere near the 40k mark we're doing really well and not quelling that momentum.

Spot on. It’s been sold out once, between two Dublin sides Pats (2nd highest crowds in the country) and Bohs (4th highest). To get 35k+ between two non Dublin sides that are 6th in the average crowds (Derry) and 11th (Drogheda) is seriously impressive

[outspoken]

I'm just pointing out the FAI's 3 or 5 year plan or whatever it was a few years ago targeted a sold out cup final every year, the introduction of a third tier by last year, top 30 placing in uefa coefficient, are we on course to do any of those things?

[yurt]

I'm just pointing out the FAI's 3 or 5 year plan or whatever it was a few years ago targeted a sold out cup final every year, the introduction of a third tier by last year, top 30 placing in uefa coefficient, are we on course to do any of those things?

On track to reach the top 30 in the co-efficient assuming Rovers make the semi-final of the conference league and some others results go our way.

[Buller]

On track to reach the top 30 in the co-efficient assuming Rovers make the semi-final of the conference league and some others results go our way.

We got this.

[oriel]

Spot on. It’s been sold out once, between two Dublin sides Pats (2nd highest crowds in the country) and Bohs (4th highest). To get 35k+ between two non Dublin sides that are 6th in the average crowds (Derry) and 11th (Drogheda) is seriously impressive

Really ? Unless the capacity has reduced, I don't think it has, these are the last 5 finals:

2019 Shamrock Rovers 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 2 (pen.) Dundalk Aviva Stadium 33,111
2020 Dundalk 4 – 2 (a.e.t.) Shamrock Rovers Aviva Stadium 0*
2021 St Patrick's Athletic 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 3 (pen.) Bohemians Aviva Stadium 37,126
2022 Derry City 4–0 Shelbourne Aviva Stadium 32,412
2023 St Patrick's Athletic 3–1 Bohemians Aviva Stadium 43,881

[outspoken]

What have the FAI done to achieve their goal of selling out every year? Ticket prices have increased, what else have they done?

[2 Year Contract]

Really ? Unless the capacity has reduced, I don't think it has, these are the last 5 finals:

2019 Shamrock Rovers 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 2 (pen.) Dundalk Aviva Stadium 33,111
2020 Dundalk 4 – 2 (a.e.t.) Shamrock Rovers Aviva Stadium 0*
2021 St Patrick's Athletic 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 3 (pen.) Bohemians Aviva Stadium 37,126
2022 Derry City 4–0 Shelbourne Aviva Stadium 32,412
2023 St Patrick's Athletic 3–1 Bohemians Aviva Stadium 43,881

Yep, last year was sold out. Huge amount of rows of seats at the front of all stands blocked off (this wasn’t done at the Europa league final for example) as well as the no shows on the day, but all tickets for the game were sold out the day before the game https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/historic-fai-cup-final-shows-sell-outs-must-be-the-rule-and-not-exception/a1772534099.html

[oriel]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

[nigel-harps1954]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

Five or six rows of seats at the front of every stand were blocked off. That would take a sizeable chunk off the capacity.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

Capacity for the final was round 48,000

[oriel]

It doesn't alter anything, the attendance was still 43,881 last year (damn good btw), it was just not a sell not.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sold out

https://x.com/faireland/status/1723643598430765154?s=46&t=X_wthh81hc_IALu9TUBX1A

[Jack B]

It doesn't alter anything, the attendance was still 43,881 last year (damn good btw), it was just not a sell not.

It was by definition sold out.

[Nesta99]

Ticket sales v attendance - one of the great mysteries of LoI!