2025 FAI Cup

[EatYerGreens]

That’s the full house for Bradley. Could be on his way to pastures new next year.

I'll be stunned if he isn't.

[EatYerGreens]

I did it to poke fun at them as their previous sponsor 888 (looked like three poppies) and to see would some sucker react. Guess what? One did. Have you got your Mr Serious head on today?

Seriously lad. Know when to stop embarassing yourself :rolleyes:

[EatYerGreens]

Was there myself (I haven't missed a final since before Covid). I did see a couple of people in Shels T-shirts and someone in a Harps top, but apart from that there definitely didn't seem to be as many 'LOI Neutrals' as in previous years.

What was really noticeable where we sat was the number of foreign nationals at the game. There was a big group of Spanish speakers to the front and on one side of us (supporting Cork. One of them was also watching Vallecano-Madrid on his phone at the same time), and Portuguese speakers behind us. And just over from us was a group of about 7 blokes speaking what sounded like German, who seemed to be supporting neither team. Interesting that our guest workers seem more likely to want to watch Irish football than a lot of the locals are :D (I'm assuming they werenlt all tourists).

Thought the attendance of 35,252 was both good and disappointing at the same time though. Good because these crowds are now the norm for our blue riband game. But disappointing because it involved a Dublin team and the second biggest city in the state, but had a smaller crowd than last year's final between 2 refgional/'provincial' sides. I know Rovers fans have had a lot of games on recently and Cork have had a terrible season, but I had hoped for fewer empty seats than were on display.

What happens re the President's Cup next year now? Presumably Derry contest it in the cup-winner's slot?

[Buckett]

What happens re the President's Cup next year now? Presumably Derry contest it in the cup-winner's slot?

Galway Utd should play it seeing as we control the Árus!

[Nesta99]

Maybe the semi final had a positive negative influence....thinking Cork had turned a corner, run out of road in the league but could show in the final what they should have in the league. All really it showed was how truly awful St Pats were. Most neutrals dig the underdog, it would have been amusing to see Bohs 4th place finish not be enough for Europe so they could get even angrier at Rovers, annoyance with Corks insipid (imo) performance isnt anti Rovers any more than neutrals hoping Drogs would beat the pre season perenniel champions elect last year. That worked oot great for Dundalk fans who see Drogs as anything more than a local nuisance in the end.

[TVFBLOCKF]

Galway Utd should play it seeing as we control the Árus!

I presume you mean Áras?

[Buckett]

Congratulations on finding a spelling mistake on the internet

[TVFBLOCKF]

Everyday is a school day, Buckett!

[ontheotherhand]

I'm in the minority then. Felt engaged up until the first goal. Was done then. Was a bridge too far after the sending off really but despite that I thought it was decent

Yeah, thought a neutral would've enjoyed it. Far more entertaining than most recent cup finals which have either gone to penos or been blowouts. Atmosphere was great from both sets of fans.

Cork did well considering the gulf in class. We looked a bit tired as you'd expect. Few lads clearly playing with knocks. Shame about the sending off for the neutrals but I think we would've won it regardless. Corks best chance was to keep it tight long enough for Gaffney and Burke to tire. We didn't have a lot on the bench. That said McGinty did make a few saves.

What a day. It's the best day in Irish sport.

Hard luck to the normal Cork fans. And a massive **** you to their podcast. Clowns.

Now, to update my signature again.

[Nesta99]

Congratulations on finding a spelling mistake on the internet

Im always impressed when people bother with any sinte fada!! I also once told a school inspector that An Uachtarán na hÉireann lived in An Uachtair Reiote...I was 5 and it seemed logical!

The interest or lack of dismissal of the domestic game here always fascinated. In England it I put it down to people supporting their own local side and not comparing it to the EPL. Here you could get someone go to a LoI game and say its not Old Trafford or wherever - what do they expect like. So if there is a daytripper type market for league games in the Aviva/cup final then it should be persued. Starting with figuring out why ticketmaster release tickets as they do or if allocated seating/sections would work for neutrals etc. Either wa as EYG suggests we're a bit disappointed with 35k, how many years running now above 30k and tell us that'd be the norm 20 years ago.

[Dermobohs]

Yeah, thought a neutral would've enjoyed it. Far more entertaining than most recent cup finals which have either gone to penos or been blowouts. Atmosphere was great from both sets of fans.

Cork did well considering the gulf in class. We looked a bit tired as you'd expect. Few lads clearly playing with knocks. Shame about the sending off for the neutrals but I think we would've won it regardless. Corks best chance was to keep it tight long enough for Gaffney and Burke to tire. We didn't have a lot on the bench. That said McGinty did make a few saves.

What a day. It's the best day in Irish sport.

Hard luck to the normal Cork fans. And a massive **** you to their podcast. Clowns.

Now, to update my signature again.
Agree with all that except the bit about most recent cup finals being blowouts?
Usually a good entertaining game, only real flop was shels getting outclassed a few years back, I also thought yesterdays was good, and would have been closer bar the silly red, and a quite bizarre double sub from cork, very strange one.

[Kiki Balboa]

Very harsh on Cork. Gave as good as they got until the sending off and even after. There's a reason they were relegated. They weren't all of a sudden going to become world beaters! Was much more of a contest than I thought

Well, you are probably right. Maybe I just had too high expectations of Cork.

I very much wonder how Cork will get on next year if they keep that squad but lose McLaughlin and Nolan. The 1st might be more competitive than they think (or not, I have no idea). There seems to be a bad atmosphere around Nash, so, a couple of losses might derail their season.

[ontheotherhand]

Agree with all that except the bit about most recent cup finals being blowouts?
Usually a good entertaining game, only real flop was shels getting outclassed a few years back, I also thought yesterdays was good, and would have been closer bar the silly red, and a quite bizarre double sub from cork, very strange one.

I should've said 0-0s in regular time tbf. The last decade has seen a lot of games go by without a goal in normal time. Then there were the few blowouts, like Derry and Shels your yourselves and pats of course.

Regardless, I can see why some mightn't have enjoyed it. A red card can ruin a game as a spectacle. I enjoyed it myself.

[bohsmug]

Not sure what a blowout is and categorising Bohs v Pats and Derry v Shels together isn't clearing it up. Derry beat Shels 4-0. The 2 Bohs v Pat's finals were 0-0 after 90 and 3-1 after 90 respectively, with Pat's initially going behind, level at the break and not opening up the 2 goal lead until the 87th minute. Pat's were much better than Bohs in that 2nd cup final though. Is a blowout a hammering or a poor game?

Anyway, I generally feel the same about finals. If you get a great game of football it's phenomenal to watch but if you don't there's still so much at stake that I barely notice or care whether the game itself is the type you'd typically enjoy as a neutral. Cork seemed unlikely to get the win on Sunday, more so after the sending off but for a while there was the outside chance of one of those backs-to-the-wall then scoring from a corner or breakaway type wins that happen from time to time. Gaffney has been exceptional for Rovers over the years. Despite the problems he's given Bohs over the years I can't dislike him. If he has the better of your defence it tends to stay that way because his attitude never drops. Rovers fans very lucky to have Burke and Gaffney in the same era. Burke has more of a high ceiling, with interest/motivation seeming to be up and down. To have someone with that exceptional quality and someone like Gaffney in the same squad for the best part of a decade has been part of Rovers sustained success. The ship has long sailed if anyone tries to dismiss Rovers success in this era, they've done all kinds of things.

Anyway, the cup final felt like the big deal it tends to. It still had all the emotional reaction of a game that mattered a lot. There was some jeopardy for the majority of it. Even whether Maguire stays or goes is part of the story at the end.

[ontheotherhand]

Not sure what a blowout is and categorising Bohs v Pats and Derry v Shels together isn't clearing it up. Derry beat Shels 4-0. The 2 Bohs v Pat's finals were 0-0 after 90 and 3-1 after 90 respectively, with Pat's initially going behind, level at the break and not opening up the 2 goal lead until the 87th minute. Pat's were much better than Bohs in that 2nd cup final though. Is a blowout a hammering or a poor game?

Anyway, I generally feel the same about finals. If you get a great game of football it's phenomenal to watch but if you don't there's still so much at stake that I barely notice or care whether the game itself is the type you'd typically enjoy as a neutral. Cork seemed unlikely to get the win on Sunday, more so after the sending off but for a while there was the outside chance of one of those backs-to-the-wall then scoring from a corner or breakaway type wins that happen from time to time. Gaffney has been exceptional for Rovers over the years. Despite the problems he's given Bohs over the years I can't dislike him. If he has the better of your defence it tends to stay that way because his attitude never drops. Rovers fans very lucky to have Burke and Gaffney in the same era. Burke has more of a high ceiling, with interest/motivation seeming to be up and down. To have someone with that exceptional quality and someone like Gaffney in the same squad for the best part of a decade has been part of Rovers sustained success. The ship has long sailed if anyone tries to dismiss Rovers success in this era, they've done all kinds of things.

Anyway, the cup final felt like the big deal it tends to. It still had all the emotional reaction of a game that mattered a lot. There was some jeopardy for the majority of it. Even whether Maguire stays or goes is part of the story at the end.

Ah TBF I was still celebrating and just throwing a little dig at bohs. That was a good final between yourselves and pats and I agree, unless it's a proper blowout like Derry and Shels, the tension and atmosphere makes it special. Thought Cork were very good. Watched the game back last night and they have some lovely young players. Fitzpatrick and McLaughlin were excellent. Maguire still has it as well. Wonder will be better tempted to stay in the premier.

Agree on Burke and Gaffney. Two of the best we've ever had and both fairly unique in their styles of play. They are a joy to watch. Nice lads too. Hopefully Gaffney has a other season in him. We could've won the league last year if he'd been fit for even half of it.

[Neish]

I did it to poke fun at them as their previous sponsor 888 (looked like three poppies) and to see would some sucker react. Guess what? One did. Have you got your Mr Serious head on today?

That is a very long winded way of answering yes

[EatYerGreens]

Galway Utd should play it seeing as we control the Árus!

You might want to seek control of the spellchecker too :p

[Buckett]

Wtf?!

Literally, the first time that I've misspelled a word on this platform, and two posters jump on it!

I would, however, like to express my sincerest apologies to President Connolly, to the citizens of our great republic and indeed to the Irish diaspora as a whole, for any offense which my reckless actions may have caused.

[pineapple stu]

*offence* :p

[Shinkicker]

That is a very long winded way of answering yes
Some things need to be explained to certain people

[Buckett]

*offence* :p
I am a disgrace to my family

[wonder88]

I enjoyed the day overall as a neutral spectator. Pity about the sending off as Cork were holding their own. I got a lower-level seat (excellent one a hour before, earlier Ticket M was showing no availability in same area), this year as I felt Premium which I got last 3yrs was too much at 50eu. Maybe the increase in prices had an effect on the crowd.
I also noticed a look of foreigners around the stadium which is good to see them taking an interest in our league.

[WeAreRovers]

Premium was €27. I know because I bought 6 of them. May have been more expensive in neutral areas or on the day but that makes little sense.