2025 FAI Cup

**Neish** · 03/10/2025, 8:39 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Find the whole thing bizare. Cork fans have stepped in a couple of times in recent years to save the club and then just handed it off to a randomer only to end up losing control and back in the s#it again.

Don't think Cork are alone in that, I add Athlone and Waterford to that list. Probably a few more clubs if I thought a bit more about it

**pineapple stu** · 03/10/2025, 8:53 AM

Limerick

**nr637** · 03/10/2025, 9:48 AM

The pitch at Turner's Cross has been passed playable for this evening's Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final clash between Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic.
St Patrick's Athletic look set to take close to 1,000 fans to Turner's Cross, with a near capacity crowd expected as Cork.

**BigEars** · 03/10/2025, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

They want their club to spend more money than everyone else on top players and to win trophies basically

To be fair Cork would have almost certainly had higher attendances and a higher turnover if they had priced their tickets a little cheaper. That was definitely a major **** up, as it's one thing to **** your fans off for profit, it's another to get your pricing wrong and reduce the clubs income !

In terms of the clubs performance, I'm sure there's lots of perfectly legitimate grievances as well. However the depth towards the bottom of our league has grown, it's not an easy league to avoid those 9th and 10th spots these days.

**outspoken** · 03/10/2025, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Neish

Don't think Cork are alone in that, I add Athlone and Waterford to that list. Probably a few more clubs if I thought a bit more about it

Athlone have been a basket case the last 20 years, Waterford also. Cork's issue is that the glory days under Caulfield have made having a quiet period of stability unattractive, as soon as they get up they expect to start challenging for Europe again. Dundalk will suffer with that next season too.

**Kiki Balboa** · 03/10/2025, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Athlone have been a basket case the last 20 years, Waterford also. Cork's issue is that the glory days under Caulfield have made having a quiet period of stability unattractive, as soon as they get up they expect to start challenging for Europe again. Dundalk will suffer with that next season too.

I think the majority of Dundalk fans are prepared for 2027 in the 1st Division to be honest.

**joey B** · 03/10/2025, 12:11 PM

I’d love to see Cork win tonight,I find Dan McDonnell’s yearly urging of a certain select number of teams that must be in the final really tiresome and he’s firmly on the Pats/Rovers matchup this year……

**Hitman** · 03/10/2025, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Athlone have been a basket case the last 20 years, Waterford also. Cork's issue is that the glory days under Caulfield have made having a quiet period of stability unattractive, as soon as they get up they expect to start challenging for Europe again. Dundalk will suffer with that next season too.

Are two relegations and five managers in three years "a quiet period of stability"?

**ger121** · 03/10/2025, 4:21 PM

The result of this game is far from a forgone conclusion. I have had a sneaky feeling since the draw that Cork could win this. Nothing to lose, playing at home. Nice windy night too.

**Martinho II** · 03/10/2025, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by ger121

Historically, football in Cork and bizarre go hand in hand.

No wonder Cork has so many loi clubs over last 100 years!

**Martinho II** · 03/10/2025, 4:29 PM

No sky in the house so will have to listen to newstalk for fai cup commentary . Surprised that game has gone ahead as weathers brutal here in midlands.

**legendz** · 03/10/2025, 4:47 PM

As mentioned in the European thread, surprised to hear Bradley supposedly rested players against Sparta Prague for a semi final against First Division minnows. With the squad at his disposal, wouldn't think that would be necessary.

**Buckett** · 03/10/2025, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

No sky in the house so will have to listen to newstalk for fai cup commentary . Surprised that game has gone ahead as weathers brutal here in midlands.

It's on RTÉ, not Sky!

**legendz** · 03/10/2025, 5:30 PM

Originally Posted by ontheotherhand

Id say it was part saving face and part serious. The focus is on the cup, securing the league, and the games we can compete in in Europe. Games against Sparta Prague are not the measure of any LoI team. I hope we all get to that point but we are miles away. Only a 20k stadium but my jaysus that was a proper football crowd and team. They are thinking about maybe winning the conference, we are happy to be there.

Replying here as more Kerry focused!

"we are happy to be there." - Sounds like Kerry's first season or two in the LoI. Happy to be there!
Same can probably be said about the semi final coming up on Sunday. Stepping stone for the hosts. The visitors are happy to be there!