2025 FAI Cup

**TonyD** · 15/09/2025, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

More than a Rover or Pats v Cork final! If Cork are relegated and they will be there wont be many that will venture out of Cork.

Like most finals, if it is marketed well, priced reasonably, Pats and Bohs had 44k coupld of years ago so you'd hope for similar unless the novelty of cups wins has won off for Pats, Rovers have 1 in 28 years or so so the cup specialists might not be that bothered.

Speaking for myself I can safely say that the novelty of a Cup Final, let alone a Cup win, will never wear off. Three out of five cups would be fantastic if we could do it. I imagine a Pats/Rovers final would be close to a sell out, but not counting any chickens with regard to Cork away. I think we'll be favourites, but its not a gimme by any means.

**Roones26** · 15/09/2025, 12:51 PM

I see the Kerry Rovers game will be on TV. What’s the odds it’s as bad as Athlone Dundalk game in ‘20?

**culloty82** · 15/09/2025, 1:07 PM

Oddly enough, we only lost 3-0 to Rovers in a pre-season friendly that was scoreless at the break - much change in both squads since then, of course, but should be able to avoid a total blowout, at least.

**2 Year Contract** · 15/09/2025, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Roones26

I see the Kerry Rovers game will be on TV. What’s the odds it’s as bad as Athlone Dundalk game in ‘20?

In fairness to Athlone that game came a full month after their last game and they were absolutely miles off it fitness wise which compounded the already huge gap in quality. I’d imagine rovers will play a mainly second string side with Europe 3 days previous, they should still win handsomely though and can always throw a couple of the starters on from the bench on the extremely off chance that things aren’t going well

**culloty82** · 15/09/2025, 1:10 PM

Anyway, that game has been fixed for 6pm on the Sunday, so very much looking like the wee small hours before the away fans would get home!

**sbgawa** · 15/09/2025, 2:51 PM

We only beat Longford 2 nil with the second string and only then after throwing on the bomb squad after 65 mins.
First or seconf string Rovers the most important thing will be to go out and compete, that was what was missing against Longford , you could see the lack of zip in Rovers with everyone waitng for someone else to do something.
Ill be praying Cork pull and upset off over PAts, the final coming back from Athens on the Friday or Saturday will be a tough ask against a decent Pats team.
In terms of managing players if we can wrap the league up early he could give decent rests to some of our guaranteed starters, Pico, Grace, Cleary. Healy, Honohan,Burke in the last few weeks of the season

**outspoken** · 15/09/2025, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

We only beat Longford 2 nil with the second string and only then after throwing on the bomb squad after 65 mins.
First or seconf string Rovers the most important thing will be to go out and compete, that was what was missing against Longford , you could see the lack of zip in Rovers with everyone waitng for someone else to do something.
Ill be praying Cork pull and upset off over PAts, the final coming back from Athens on the Friday or Saturday will be a tough ask against a decent Pats team.
In terms of managing players if we can wrap the league up early he could give decent rests to some of our guaranteed starters, Pico, Grace, Cleary. Healy, Honohan,Burke in the last few weeks of the season

HOW DARE YOU......It was 2-1