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As it happened: Cork City v Dundalk, FAI Cup final

Dundalk took on Cork, as they bid to add further silverware to their league title.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Here are the teams…

Cork City: 1. Mark McNulty 3. Alan Bennett 6. Greg Bolger 10. Steven Beattie 11. Stephen Dooley 14. Kevin O’Connor 16. Gearoid Morrisey 19. Karl Sheppard 22. Kenny Browne 24. Sean Maguire 26. Garry Buckley

Subs: 13. Matthew Connor 7. Colin Healy 8. Gavin Holohan 18. Michael McSweeney 20. Chiedozie Ogbene 23. Mark O’Sullivan 27. Ian Turner

Dundalk: 1. Gary Rogers 2. Sean Gannon 3. Brian Gartland 4. Andy Boyle 5. Chris Shields 6. Stephen O’Donnell 7. Daryl Horgan 9. David McMillan 10. Ronan Finn 11. Patrick McEleney 14. Dane Massey

Subs: 22. Gabriel Sava 8. John Moutney 15. Paddy Barrett 16. Ciaran Kilduff 19. Dean Shiels 20. Ciaran O’Connor 24. Alan Keane

Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane is here today.

He’ll undoubtedly be keeping a keen eye on Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle in particular, following their recent call-up to the Ireland squad.

We’re underway…

It’s been a scrappy opening, though it’s been played largely in Cork’s half.

Garry Buckley’s stray elbow has left Chris Shields down receiving treatment.

McMillan goes down after a rough challenge from Bennett as both challenged for the ball in the air.

There’s been more than one strong challenge in the early stages.

There was claims for a penalty there.

A corner fell to Stephen Dooley, who went down under a hefty challenge by Chris Shields.

The Lilywhites were a little lucky to get away with that.

This game has yet to really spring to life.

Dundalk have had the better possession and territory, but neither side has created a clear-cut chance yet.

The two teams stand for the national anthem The two teams stand for the national anthem. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Sean Gannon sprints down the right, and the full-back’s cross finds the onrushing Horgan, who can’t keep his shot down.

There’s been lots of patient possession football from Dundalk, but they’ve struggled to break Cork down so far.

Stephen O’Donnell is currently receiving treatment but should be okay to continue.

Meanwhile, flares are going in both ends of the ground.

There’s a lot of argy bargy after Horgan is taken down and awarded a free kick.

The ref had played on after O’Donnell had been effectively rugby tackled around the ankle by Greg Bolger.

The ref subsequently goes back to book Bolger after the Horgan free.

It’s been a very cagey opening half hour.

Cork aren’t giving much away at the back and the match has been played with a bit of an edge owing to a few cynical challenges.

There’s some angry remonstrating as Bennett is booked for a strong challenge on O’Donnell.

The Cork defender felt he got the ball there, though his studs were quite high.

Dundalk supportrers Dundalk supporters. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Chris Shields is now sporting the number 33 shirt after suffering a cut to the head.

Meanwhile, Stephen Kenny tells RTÉ that O’Donnell is having difficulty with a calf injury.

Morrissey plays the ball out to Dooley whose cross is deflected away to safety.

Shortly before that, Maguire’s header went just wide.

Cork have started to come into this game more in recent minutes.

As I type though, Horgan breaks free on the left, but his attempt to chip the goalkeeper is comfortably saved by McNulty.

Best chance of the game so far.

Horgan plays through McMillan, but the striker’s shot is too close to McNulty, who parries it away for a corner.

Gartland’s header from a corner goes just wide.

Dundalk are really starting to get on top and are looking the better side right now.

HALF-TIME: CORK 0-0 DUNDALK

Half-time and it’s Cork 0-0 Dundalk.

It’s been a tight game of few chances.

Much like last year’s final, Dundalk have played with the greater ambition, though Cork have been well organised with Stephen Kenny’s side struggling to break down their opponents.

The concern for Cork is whether they can continue to play with such intensity throughout the 90 minutes, as they spent significant portions of that first half without the ball.

There’s some criticism of Cork’s approach from the RTÉ pundits at half-time.

Richie Sadlier says John Caulfield’s side are playing as if there’s a big gulf in class between the two sides, while Alan Cawley says the Leesiders’ tactics are “stifling the game”.

The second half is underway…

Greg Bolger Cork captain Greg Bolger speaks to the referee. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The second half has continued in a scrappy fashion so far.

Cork’s approach may be negative, but Dundalk have been unusually sloppy and lacking in sharpness — perhaps they’re still tired from their match in Russia on Thursday.

As I type, Karl Sheppard turns inside on the the right wing, but his shot is comfortably saved by Gary Rogers.

Daryl Horgan threatens to speed away from everyone on the counter-attack, but Steven Beattie puts in a good tackle to stop him.

The winger has had a quiet game so far.

Dundalk make the first substitution of the game.

Chris Shields, who suffered a cut to the head earlier, is replaced by John Mountney.

Cork are coming more into this game.

Ronan Finn has just been booked for a late challenge on Sean Maguire.

Cork have a free kick in a decent position, but Garry Buckley blazes it well over.

There’s been a lack of quality in the final third of this game so far.

Nervy moments for Dundalk.

Alan Bennett beats Gary Rogers to a corner, but his header is cleared off the line.

Another cynical challenge, this time from Patrick McEleney on Stephen Dooley.

Cork are definitely playing with all the momentum now.

Meanwhile, Dane Massey has just been booked seemingly for tripping his man off the ball.

Stephen O’Donnell, who has looked a little weary, dwells on the ball on the edge of his box and then fouls Sean Maguire, receiving a booking for his troubles.

Kevin O’Connor curls the ensuing free kick just over.

Brian Gartland with Sean Maguire Brian Gartland with Sean Maguire. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Ronan Finn has just clattered into the back of Steven Beattie.

He’s already on a yellow, so Finn was lucky to escape another booking there.

Decent chance!

Sean Gannon escapes down the right and he finds McMillan with the cross, but the big striker’s shot goes just wide.

Another nervy moment for Dundalk.

Gary Rogers can only parry Gearoid Morrisey’s shot and he has to clear it a second time just before Sean Maguire gets to the rebound.

Meanwhile, Dean Shiels has replaced Patrick McEleney and Ciaran Kilduff has come on for David McMillan for Dundalk. Cork also make a change, with Chiedozie Ogbene coming on for Karl Sheppard.

Big chance again for Dundalk.

Ronan Finn escapes down the right, but his cross can’t find Kilduff, who’s waiting in the area.

Huge chance!

Morrissey plays in Maguire down the left.

The striker’s cross falls to Ogbene, whose side-footed finish is saved by Rogers’ legs.

One goal will almost certainly win it at this stage.

Dundalk won’t exactly be relishing the prospect of extra-time, given their hectic recent schedule.

Dundalk are really pressing for a winner now.

They badly want to win this game in normal time.

Dundalk come close to winning it.

A corner is taken short and Horgan beats his man, and puts in an excellent cross.

However, Kilduff can’t keep his header down, as this game appears destined for extra time.

Great play from Mountney who sprints down the right, makes space and crosses, but Kilduff’s diving header goes over.

This game is really opening up now — there are a lot of tired legs out there.

FULL-TIME: CORK 0-0 DUNDALK – EXTRA TIME TO BE PLAYED

So extra-time for the second-year running.

Interestingly, despite playing on Thursday night, Dundalk look the fitter of the two teams.

Stephen Kenny’s side were really pressing for a winner towards the end of normal time.

Extra time has begun..,

Andy Boyle and Gary Rogers with Sean Maguire Andy Boyle and Gary Rogers with Sean Maguire Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Kilduff lays it off to Mountney on the edge of the box, but he completely miskicks a shot well wide.

Dundalk are still looking the more likely, while Mark O’Sullivan has just replaced Greg Bolger for Cork.

Daryl Horgan sprints down the left and falls down under a challenge from Ogbene in the box.

The ref waves play on, however.

Cork make a final change as Colin Healy replaces Gearoid Morrissey.

The Rebels will be relying on all the former Ireland international’s experience at this vital stage.

Clever play from Horgan who plays a lovely chipped pass that just eludes the onrushing Gannon.

Dundalk really are showing great resilience given their intensive schedule this week.

As I type though, Cork break, and Ogbene’s dangerous cross is nearly deflected into the net.

Finn attempts a pot shot but his effort goes well over.

Moments before, there were half-hearted appeals for a penalty, as O’Donnell fell down in the box as he connected with a cross.

HALF-TIME OF EXTRA-TIME: CORK 0-0 DUNDALK

The second half of extra-time has begun…

Stephen Dooley sprints through on goal down the left, but Gannon does well to track back and make the tackle out for a corner.

Neither side seems to be settling for penalties just yet.

As I type, Gartland heads clear Ogbene’s cross.

First Ronan Finn and then Daryl Horgan put searching crosses into the Cork area.

Neither can quite find a player in white, however.

Daryl Horgan tries a shot from distance that’s deflected wide.

Dundalk continue to probe with eight minutes remaining.

Horgan runs the ball out of play to loud cheers from the Cork fans.

It’s been a frustrating afternoon for the 24-year-old Galway native.

As I type, however, he delivers a hanging cross that McNulty has to tip away for a corner.

So close!

The ball falls to Ronan Finn, who drills it just wide from the edge of the area.

The midfielder has been increasingly influential as this game has gone on.

One minute remaining…

DUNDALK 0-1 CORK (MAGUIRE 120)

Incredible stuff!

Out of nothing, a long throw falls to Maguire, whose turn and shot deflects into the net.

It’s cruel on Dundalk, but Cork appear to have won it with seconds remaining.

Dundalk have a free kick. Rogers is going up…

FULL-TIME: CORK 1-0 DUNDALK 

So Cork are the 2016 FAI Cup champions.

It’s harsh on Dundalk, who played with the greater sense of adventure and looked the more likely for much of extra-time.

However, take nothing away from Cork. They defended superbly and consummately stamped out the Cork threat, while Maguire ultimately won it with a classic poacher’s finish.

There are jubilant scenes now and goal hero Maguire tells RTÉ that his side “deserve”their victory.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting and we’ll have more reaction to follow.

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Paul Fennessy
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