2025 FAI Cup

[Nesta99]

That last passage sums up the game. Almost trying to pass it in to the net and eventually a lame shot from distance when the defence is set and compact.

Lots of fans hoping for a Rovers double now, who'd have thunk it...

[MoydowMonty]

Relegated Cork City are now 1 win away from the Europa League with a cushion into the Conference btw

[Dalymountrower]

Nice to see Pat's wearing their traditional blue way strip

[Jd2793]

kenny under big pressure surely? god they are very easy to defend against from open play.

[D24Saint]

kenny under big pressure surely? god they are very easy to defend against from open play.

Any goodwill accumulated has vanished after the last two performances.

[Stevie mac]

Toats hilarious

[Dermobohs]

Nice to see Pat's wearing their traditional blue way strip
Hahaha!!!love it!

[joey B]

Happy for Cork after a poor season,Pats are a bunch of frauds though….

[Cosmo]

The cork fans sont deserve to win this. Players im sure appreciated the diatraction at the start.

They're a bunch of idiots. The statement released by the supporters made no sense and read like it was written by a kid. No wonder they've had so many clubs down there

[Nesta99]

Maybe Pats fans will have a clearer view, but to set up the way Kenny does, slow build up but relentless, quick throw ins, frees etc., there doesnt seem to be that intensity thats needed. Now maybe when at Dundalk and he focused on s+c properly that was the real advantage, you'd have teams chasing the ball and so a lot of late goals happened as opposition were just jaded by relentless rearguard efforts, but maybe now its not near effective really. Added to that width and pace, with full backs overlapping and overloading, pinging crosses from both depth and goalline with a really strong centre forward play bullying things in the box and getting something on crosses often - has that been evident? Is it lacking in players to suit a system, lack of pragmatism from Kenny in how he sets up a bit like the criticism of his Ireland tenure. Is it still a building process? Is he really under pressure considering the finances involved and long term thinking. Two key men tonght are former Kenny signings elsewhere and experience was important. A lot of questions from me but I think Pats fans will be asking many tougher ones especially if they miss out on Europe.


Toats hilarious

Toats?? Is that D4 Dundalk?

[sbgawa]

Longford, drogs, kerry, cork.
At the risk of counting chickens like Pats just did, thats a fairly handy cup run

[legendz]

The Munster derby's still on for now! :)Still on for sure!! ;)

After the fans protest, Cork roll-ed up their sleeves and delivered. Maguire took his goal superbly well, as did McLaughlin for his brace in the second half.

On to Tallaght Stadium now on Sunday. Travelling in hope mixed with a grounded reality of the challenge ahead!

Tickets for the visit of Wexford are on general sale. Hard to believe will be the final home game of the season. Hopefully that will attract a big crowd as well whatever happens on Sunday.

[Nesta99]

Longford, drogs, kerry, cork.
At the risk of counting chickens like Pats just did, thats a fairly handy cup run

Ever get that feeling a name is on a trophy!? Drogs last season it felt like it. Kerry for Europa League (just dont get bought by a multiclub or 'rename' things over the next 9 or 10 months).

[D24Saint]

Best of luck to Cork City in the final. Their team showed up with a bit of desire and put in a shift after a difficult season. As for us it’s hard to articulate just how rubbish we played tonight. An absolute disgrace.

[sbgawa]

I watched the game on rte, couldnt believe the lack of intensity from Pats. Def thought they were showing up for a handy win

[oriel]

Best of luck to Cork City in the final. Their team showed up with a bit of desire and put in a shift after a difficult season. As for us it’s hard to articulate just how rubbish we played tonight. An absolute disgrace.

I honestly thought once SK would get into gear (this season) Pats would be serious contenders and going toe to toe with Rovers, this is just nuts, 17 points off the pace, possibly may not make europe (I think you will), but now out of the cup to a team that will (with respect to Cork C fans) probably get relegated.

He's not on small wages either, at least double what he was on at Dundalk. I`d be very concerned if I was a Pats fan, also as a Dundalk fan, we see him around Blackrock area, have to say I`m also quite surprised / bemused by the whole thing.

[D24Saint]

I honestly thought once SK would get into gear (this season) Pats would be serious contenders and going toe to toe with Rovers, this is just nuts, 17 points off the pace, possibly may not make europe (I think you will), but now out of the cup to a team that will (with respect to Cork C fans) probably get relegated.

He's not on small wages either, at least double what he was on at Dundalk. I`d be very concerned if I was a Pats fan, also as a Dundalk fan, we see him around Blackrock area, have to say I`m also quite surprised / bemused by the whole thing.

He has got the benefit of the doubt so far this season. Unfortunately it’s looking like he is past his best as a coach , if he can’t motivate a team in a cup semi final then what’s the point of the whole operation. I wouldnt be surprised if Mr K has a no Europe clause in the contract.

[2 Year Contract]

Absolutely poison tonight from Pats. I’ve seen more intensity in kids pre match warmups than they showed tonight. Compounded with individual mistakes and cluelessness in possession, it was a gutless performance. Fair play to cork, well deserved win. Fair play to Dermot Usher too having Cork challenging for Europe just like he said he would, a man of his word ;)

[Nesta99]

I honestly thought once SK would get into gear (this season) Pats would be serious contenders and going toe to toe with Rovers, this is just nuts, 17 points off the pace, possibly may not make europe (I think you will), but now out of the cup to a team that will (with respect to Cork C fans) probably get relegated.

He's not on small wages either, at least double what he was on at Dundalk. I`d be very concerned if I was a Pats fan, also as a Dundalk fan, we see him around Blackrock area, have to say I`m also quite surprised / bemused by the whole thing.

Well he lives in Blackrock but I dont know why it'd concern Dundalk fans. If he came back? It'd be a serious gamble to reject someone of his calibre or experience being involved in Dundalk again. At the expense of Kilduff, well no I wouldnt like that at all, but ultimately ye do whats best for Dundalk now. I wouldnt like to be making that decision either way. Ideal world, he is a DoF/technical type role in an expanded footballing operation of the club, if the situation ever arose.

[Crosshead]

Amazing we won at all given all the experts on here with no insight at all into what's going on in Cork had declared the protest against the owner was counter productive.

Maybe we'd have won 4-0 had the Shed not protested? 🤔

[Crosshead]

Go on, what are the other issues…

That supporters statement released is embarrassing - sounds like it was written by a 10 year old

Kids' tickets doubled in a year.
Adult tickets going up to €25 - meaning the worst team in the league is the most expensive to watch.
Promising perks to reward season ticket holders - then giving them to anyone who buys a match ticket.
Expecting players to live with the manager.
Having a stand up comedian in full kit line out with the players ahead of a league match when we're in a relegation battle.
Meeting supporters to quell a protest promising the signing of an established LOI player only for it not to happen.
Organising "events" that are on at the same time as our matches, and having staff go to the event instead.
Responding to ticket price criticism by saying he has no sympathy for supporters who "dip" into matches and don't buy season tickets.
Promising to improve the facilities in the Cross, starting with the toilets and doing nothing - and he coming from Sonas bathrooms!

[sbgawa]

Longford, drogs, kerry, cork.
At the risk of counting chickens like Pats just did, thats a fairly handy cup run
I forgot about wexford....
So wexford, longford, drogs, kerry , Cork.
The draw has been kind, we better not fwck it up Sunday

[outspoken]

When do general tickets go on sale? Also, does anyone know can you access ticketmaster ok while abroad? I'll be in Lisbon but want to try grab a decent premium seat. Left it late this year.

[listowelceltic]

Any Rovers fans know how tickets sales are going for home fans tomorrow?

[Straightstory]

Considering a Daragh Markey (missed) penalty was the only thing which kept Rovers in the Cup, I’m not sure why Drogs away is considered part of an easy route to the Cup Final.
Cup winners qualify for Conference League, not Europa League.
I’m presuming if/when Rovers win the double, it’s fourth place finish in the League rather than Cup runners-up which claim final European place?

[sbgawa]

I didnt say Drogs was an easy draw, i meant as a path tona cup final overall it was a good draw including playing the 10th place team in the final.

[placid casual]

Any Rovers fans know how tickets sales are going for home fans tomorrow?
Hard to know really
A load of Rovers fans were stranded getting back from Prague yesterday to Dublin due to the storms,I only arrived after midnight.
The previous home cup game against longford had about 2,300 at it, and id imagine there has to be more there tomorrow.
A lot of fans are probably naturally assuming we are going to beat kerry anyway so may not bother ( which I certainly do not agree with btw!) so I'd guess about 3.5/4k home fans maybe?
Kerry brining 1k will certainly add to the atmosphere tomorrow and hope all from the kingdom travel safely and enjoy the day out in tallaght- most importantly,avoid pints in the maldron,they're as weak as pi$$ as the st pats teams mentality. Loads of boozer's in tallaght village will be happy for your custom

[pineapple stu]

Cup winners qualify for Conference League, not Europa League.
I’m presuming if/when Rovers win the double, it’s fourth place finish in the League rather than Cup runners-up which claim final European place?
Cup runners-up haven't reached Europe for years now

Fairly sure it's Europa League for the Cup winners given the LoI's ranking. Not sure how that works in the case of a double - I guess league runners-up get the Europa?

[Cosmo]

Kids' tickets doubled in a year.
Adult tickets going up to €25 - meaning the worst team in the league is the most expensive to watch.
Promising perks to reward season ticket holders - then giving them to anyone who buys a match ticket.
Expecting players to live with the manager.
Having a stand up comedian in full kit line out with the players ahead of a league match when we're in a relegation battle.
Meeting supporters to quell a protest promising the signing of an established LOI player only for it not to happen.
Organising "events" that are on at the same time as our matches, and having staff go to the event instead.
Responding to ticket price criticism by saying he has no sympathy for supporters who "dip" into matches and don't buy season tickets.
Promising to improve the facilities in the Cross, starting with the toilets and doing nothing - and he coming from Sonas bathrooms!

I get protesting over ticket pricing - i think most clubs prices are too dear. Everything else, is all a bit trivial really and doesn't warrant a protest to get him out. Only making yourselves look foolish to everyone else.

Is he putting in his money through shares/ donations or through loans? If its the first one, you are very lucky

[Shearer]

Team get taken over by a wealthy owner and suffer relegation in both of their Premier Division seasons, and yet people here wondering why fans are protesting.

There is a want.

[holidaysong]

Cup runners-up haven't reached Europe for years now

Fairly sure it's Europa League for the Cup winners given the LoI's ranking. Not sure how that works in the case of a double - I guess league runners-up get the Europa?

Correct on both counts. It's Europa League for the cup winners and would go to 2nd in the league if Rovers do a double.

[Dalymountrower]

Hard to know really

Kerry brining 1k will certainly add to the atmosphere tomorrow and hope all from the kingdom travel safely and enjoy the day out in tallaght- most importantly,avoid pints in the maldron,they're as weak as pi$$ as the st pats teams mentality.

Too funny.

[Jd2793]

I get protesting over ticket pricing - i think most clubs prices are too dear. Everything else, is all a bit trivial really and doesn't warrant a protest to get him out. Only making yourselves look foolish to everyone else.

Is he putting in his money through shares/ donations or through loans? If its the first one, you are very lucky

hes the de-facto director of football ffs. hes in way over his head but wont admit he needs help. all the more bizarre considering he wanted a DOF in from day 1 but got spooked after his buckley appointment. its a bit like never employing a GK coach again after sacking an incompetent one.

[Cosmo]

Team get taken over by a wealthy owner and suffer relegation in both of their Premier Division seasons, and yet people here wondering why fans are protesting.

There is a want.

The supporters made a balls up of running their club and voted to hand it over to him

Is he putting his own money in as donations/shares? If so, fair play to him.

[Shearer]

The supporters made a balls up of running their club and voted to hand it over to him
Are you suggesting that because supporters voted to sell the club that they can't complain about what has happened since?

Building a rod for your own back there with Trivela

[oriel]

A lot (myself included) completely overlooking the brilliant display by Cork C and indeed Maguire last night, have to take hat off for that performance and result to be fair.

Doesn't matter it will 90% be Rovers (who knows) in the final, still a brilliant day out.

[oriel]

Considering a Daragh Markey (missed) penalty was the only thing which kept Rovers in the Cup, I’m not sure why Drogs away is considered part of an easy route to the Cup Final.
Cup winners qualify for Conference League, not Europa League.
I’m presuming if/when Rovers win the double, it’s fourth place finish in the League rather than Cup runners-up which claim final European place?

You don't need to presume, that will 100% happen should Rovers win the cup, one of (in current points state) Shels, Pats or Drogs will get europe via 4th should Rovers win the cup, but Cork C won't care one iota about that and will be hell bent on causing an upset, it could happen.

Didn't realise how much ground Shels had made up, if they win their game in hand they jump up to 4th and only 1 behind Bohs.

[Buckett]

Would Cork supporters be in a position to take over again? If not, what happens if the owner, who's not a local so wouldn't have much of a grá for the club, decides to walk away? Would he need to be repaid?
Don't get me wrong, club's need to improve each year and supporters shouldn't have to settle for mismanagement but at the same time they should be wary of unintended consequences of complaining too much or too aggressively.

[Cosmo]

Are you suggesting that because supporters voted to sell the club that they can't complain about what has happened since?

Building a rod for your own back there with Trivela

Never said not able to complain. Of course supporters can complain about anything.

But a protest to demand the owner give over the club to someone else despite pumping in alot of their own money to keep the club afloat is a bit drastic and makes yiz look soft. Id have a different opinion if he put his money in as loans.

[pineapple stu]

It's a strange one. Cork should be much better than a yo-yo team. This is pretty much the low point in their history. I think there's a right to complain, especially with ticket prices through the roof to watch

But the irony is the people complaining were in a way the previous owners and they weren't much better at it

[Straightstory]

Cup runners-up haven't reached Europe for years now

Fairly sure it's Europa League for the Cup winners given the LoI's ranking. Not sure how that works in the case of a double - I guess league runners-up get the Europa?
Cup winners were due to compete in Conference League this year. (Hence Drogheda expulsion ‘cos of that Danish side in same competition… “don’t go there”)
So has the League’s ranking improved enough since last year to qualify us for Europa League place in 2026?

[pineapple stu]

Yes - up to 31st at the end of last season. And almost certain to finish there this season too, which would mean next year's Cup winners get Europa League too

[Nesta99]

Cup winners were due to compete in Conference League this year. (Hence Drogheda expulsion ‘cos of that Danish side in same competition… “don’t go there”)
So has the League’s ranking improved enough since last year to qualify us for Europa League place in 2026?

There's a lot of blame just being tossed around in this thread. 'that Danish side' are not to blame for Drogheda's exclusion. Cork's current predicament is not necessarily the current owners fault either. If it is entrely his fault, the statement from the supporters club is full of self entitlement. No club is entitled to anything, historically, size of fanbase or otherwise. Cork fans themselves made a crock of things. Imo Dundalk fans were guilty of the same sort of stuff in demanding the exit of an owner without having a viable alternative, and it ultmiately nearly caused the clubs extinction - we could blame the FAI for not following due diligence on a subsequent owner but thats passing the buck. FORAS voted for Usher to take ownership. Derry fans could stamp their feet as possibly the wealthiest club in the league by virtue of their owners wealth. Its no lack of effort on his behalf that Derry are not champions elect. St Pats have invested heavily in the squad and possibly given the most successful manager in the league a huge wedge to be mediocre and awful against a relegated side. You could cite Bohs, Newcastle, and flipping Manchester Uniteds as 'big clubs' that dont do a whole lot on the pitch and the latter 2 are just examples of wealth transfer or pet projects. I dont have a suggestion for Cork fans on the issues they have with Usher other than be careful what you wish for. A relegated club is better than no club, and ye are seriously running low on new names!

[Martinho II]

It's on RTÉ, not Sky!

I know Buckett ha ha all of the sky channels have disappeared off my sky box so an engineer needs to be called. Was able to watch Cork city game in the end on my phone on Sky go. some performance from Seanie Maguire thats fellows unplayable at times if Ruairi Keating hadnt being injured I think Cork wouldnt have being bottom!

[Buckett]

I know Buckett ha ha all of the sky channels have disappeared off my sky box so an engineer needs to be called. Was able to watch Cork city game in the end on my phone on Sky go. some performance from Seanie Maguire thats fellows unplayable at times if Ruairi Keating hadnt being injured I think Cork wouldnt have being bottom!
He was superb, he missed a good few games at the start too.
I was thinking Melia wasn't great, then someone pinged a long ball out to him on the right and his first touch to control was one of the best I've ever seen!

[oriel]

Cup winners were due to compete in Conference League this year. (Hence Drogheda expulsion ‘cos of that Danish side in same competition… “don’t go there”)
So has the League’s ranking improved enough since last year to qualify us for Europa League place in 2026?

Why, a local and knows his stuff journalist Barry Landy is it, flagged this potential issue with multi-ownership as early as last winter, but the thinking was 'it will never happen' well it did.

Drogs had ample time to transfer shares but they did nothing. Very tough pill to swallow and a brilliant trip ruined for their fans, but they can have no complaints about prior warnings.

[Jack B]

Dreadful stuff from Pats last night. Cork started quickly and it felt like the writing was on the wall from there given how soft this Pats team is.

Think Kenny's biggest error thus far has been trusting the bulk of a squad that outside of the last 10 games or so last season have completely flattered to deceive for a very long time. I could probably count on one hand the number of players I'd actually like to see stay.

[legendz]

If anyone's name is on the trophy, it is the hosts of Sunday's semi final.

Getting to the quarter finals for the first time and beating a Premier opponent in the cup at the third attempt was Kerry's cup final. The semi final is bonus territory, another cup final for the visitors, but bonus territory that will be a difficult evening.

Cork players were talking after last night's game about the build up to a final. Tomorrow has a touch of that for Kerry. The build up until 6pm should be enjoyable before the rather difficult task!

[Buckett]

Mind games have begun!

[redarmyfaction]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2025/10/04/the-rise-of-kerry-fc-not-so-long-ago-you-were-not-allowed-play-soccer-in-certain-schools-here/

TL;DR the article finishes
"You coming up Sunday, Murt?

“I’m waiting for the final.”