2025 FAI Cup

**Straightstory** · 04/10/2025, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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** · 04/10/2025, 1:20 PM

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** · 04/10/2025, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

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** · 04/10/2025, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by Buckett

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** · 04/10/2025, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

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** · 04/10/2025, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

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** · 04/10/2025, 4:04 PM

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** · 04/10/2025, 6:30 PM

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!