Cork City 1
Dundalk 2
DUNDALK SECURED a historic double on Sunday afternoon at the Aviva Stadium, with Stephen Kenny’s men coming out on top in yet another exciting and absorbing instalment of this most intense and heated rivalry thanks to a pinpoint Patrick McEleney header late on.
The two sides have shared the last five SSE Airtricity League titles between them, with Sunday’s final the fourth consecutive time they have met at Landsdowne Road on the first Sunday in November.
Worry about a potential fatigue from the Irish footballing public with the yearly meeting was quickly subsided as more than 30,000 spectators — Dundalk, Cork City and neutral supporters alike — all flocked together on a cool afternoon to create a most electric of atmospheres.
Dundalk lead! It's Patrick McEleney, but what a ball that was from Sean Gannon https://t.co/ThkIhmchDa #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/qZqTGYmXfk
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 4, 2018
It was the second highest attendance at an FAI Cup final since the fixture moved to the new national stadium in 2010, and following a nip-and-tuck opening half an hour the two teams provided early green shoots of a brilliant and bombastic encounter, with two goals in lightening quick succession.
Over the course of their last three final meetings, Dundalk and Cork City produced zero goals in regulation time — Richie Towell scoring the winner in extra-time in 2015, Sean Maguire doing likewise a year later and John Caulfield’s men succeeding on spot kicks 12 months ago.
Sean Hoare broke that normal time goal drought in quite sensational fashion to give the Lilywhites a 19th-minute lead on Sunday. The centre back leapt like a salmon possessed to meet Michael Duffy’s inviting corner, with Hoare rocketing a thundering header right into Mark McNulty’s top corner.
The emphatic nature of the finish was reflected in the raucous atmosphere which boomed out from the stands from jubilant Dundalk supporters, who had made the journey down to the capital hoping to see their side secure a league and cup double for the second time in four seasons.
Flares were lit before kick-off and more were dispersed as Stephen Kenny’s men rocked into a 1-0 lead with less than 20 minutes on the clock. Hoare, who signed from St Pat’s two years ago in search of titles and silverware, stormed down the sideline in exasperated joy with his side now in the ascendency.
The adrenaline running through his veins was painted across his face, however that same rush of blood proved deadly as the defender went from hero to villian, allowing Cork the chance to equalise with a silly push on Karl Sheppard inside the box 60 seconds after scoring.
Kieran Sadlier broke Dundalk hearts with the winning penalty kick when the sides met in a penalty shoot-out this time last year, and the Englishman had no trouble rifling another killer spot-kick past goalkeeper Gary Rogers this time around.
The winger took aim for the bottom corner and managed to squeeze a precise effort narrowly underneath the dive of the Meath man standing between the posts; Rogers diving correctly to his left, but jumping over Sadlier’s strike which stung the back of the net.
Two goals in as many minutes marked a welcome change from the normally tight, tit-for-tat and low-scoring affairs which has been this fixture’s hallmark in FAI Cup deciders over the last number of years.
In fact, Dundalk almost made it three goals in as many minutes just a few moments later — Brian Gartland having his own emphatic header dramatically cleared off the line at the death thanks to some last-ditch heroics and smart positioning from Cork’s Shane Griffin.
Ultimately, however, that electric 10 minute period subdued following Gartland’s nearly-header. That familiar pattern of neither side giving an inch, sussing one another out and keeping risky moves to a minimum prevailed.
Even with that in mind, the bitterness and animosity which has arisen between the two teams in recent years did not depart this fixture by any means — harsh challenges from Chris Shields and Garry Buckley the hallmark of a dogged midfield battle.
Chances from Dane Massey and a powerful drive from Robbie Benson almost regained the lead for Dundalk after the break, but it was a Patrick McEleney header from close range which provided an almighty sucker-punch after 73 minutes.
Shane Griffin was dispossessed just inside City’s half, with Kenny’s men punishing his lapse in concentration with deadly precision and intent. Sean Gannon teed up an inviting, curling cross right into the mixer, with McEleney steering the ball low into the opposite bottom corner.
Mark McNulty got the slightest of touches as the ball trickled into the back of the net, but could do nothing more than that as the Derry forward reeled away in celebration as Dundalk took a 2-1 lead into the dying stages.
Sheppard almost forced extra-time for the fourth year running, shooting a wayward effort narrowly wide of Rogers’ top corner as the Lilywhites defence of Brian Gartland and Hoare back-peddled desperately.
But Dundalk hung on, seeing out the game effectively as John Caulfield’s side pushed and pushed for a second leveller. It never came, with the Louth side bagging their second league and cup double in the last four years.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon (Daniel Cleary 86), Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, John Mountney (Jamie McGrath 58), Robbie Benson (Dean Jarvis 90); Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy, Patrick Hoban.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Conor McCarthy, Alan Bennett, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; Conor McCormack (Cian Murphy 85), Gearoid Morrissey (Barry McNamee 68), Jimmy Keohane (Graham Cummins 75), Garry Buckley; Kieran Sadlier, Karl Sheppard.
Referee: Neil Doyle
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Stephen Kenny for Ireland…. Amazing manager. Give him control of the supposed system in FAI. I believe he could do what Roy Keane and Martin O’Neill have failed miserably to do. Bring a hunger and desire back into the International set up. He will Maximize each and every players Capabilities… Well Done again to Dundalk and Cork for a great Final.. ,
@robertpires7: As a Cork City fan I agree that Stephen Kenny should be Ireland manager but the FAI bigwigs would never have it.
“They always cheat, they always lie, f*ck Delaney and the FAI.”
@robertpires7: what has O Neill and Keane done so wrong? They got us to the euros and the last 16 at that!! Same with Trapp he got us there too, yet we were calling for his head. Why cant we just put our hands up and accept that were just not good enough?? You can only play with the hand your dealt and O Neill has had as much success than any Ireland manager.
Big fan of Kenny tho i agree that the next boss should be him.
Atmosphere was brilliant throughout from both fans. Good crowd also. Mon the town.
Cracking open game, super atmosphere, credit to all involved, including the FAI, and City showed today that they can play football too, reducing Dundalk to just a handful of chances. Kenny for Irish manager no doubt about it.
@Florenzo McCarthy: super achievement and some record for DFC in last few years. Take it up a notch in Europe next season is the next challenge
@Florenzo McCarthy: absolutely. We just lack the cutting edge Dundalk have. They have several strong players across their squad. Worthy double champions.
Encouraging to see so many there. Well done to both clubs.
Lack of cutting edge for Cork up front. Dundalk Worthy winners.
1st Time Kenny gave credit to Cork City.
Better late than never. Good game and fail play to Dundalk.
Hope Caulfield stays on. Under appreciated
Just back from the game fantastic final. Was there with the Balbriggan under 15 team they loved it got free tickets from the FAI believe it or not.
@Carl O’Beirnes: Were you at the game?
Congrats Dundalk Unlucky Cork City
It is a very high standard Connor. EPL and equivalent leagues are almost a different planet when it comes to levels. Give it a go – have you a team near you? Nothing quite like watching your local team.
Congratulations once to Dundalk and great to see Harps back again in the Premier division.
Just back from the game fantastic final. Was there with the Balbriggan under 15 team they loved it got free tickets from the FAI believe it or not.
One small bit of concentration cost cork the second and winning goal ! Cork were probably the slightest better team , but lacked the little bit of pace up front from another striker and one dominating centre halve ? Congrats nonetheless less to Dundalk and the great work kenny has done . He needs to challenge himself with another club now after what he has achieved ? Maybe a lower championship side .
@Tricksy: I think Kenny’s ambitious is vital for the league. While I don’t always with what he says, he wants the league to progress. He has no interest in going elsewhere, either domestically or to England.
@Tricksy: Challenge? No European football in the lower reaches of the championship. Biggest challenge is in Europe.
Tough on Cork
@Martin Brennan: No it wasn’t
@Niall Holmes: Yes it was, City were the slightly better team, but fair play to Dundalk they pounced on the full backs mistake. Thought it was a great game by two evenly matched teams
Am I taking crazy pills or should Sheils have seen red early in second half?
@Fionn Falcao: the ref bottled it !!!
You must of posted to the wrong article, the Manchester United match was yesterday.
@tom pepper: have posted.
Terrible footballers that makes u wonder where all the money goes towards, in terms of developing players so that they can pass or beat a man by dribbling. So many long hopeless balls kicked by the goalkeepers and centre halfs. Not a high quality game
@Conor Joyce: what money.. that’s the problem
@Conor Joyce: An Irishman kicking his own league. Oh how that will bring football forward in this country. It’s centre halves too by the way.
@Conor Joyce: Rubblsh, some great skills on display today.
@Conor Joyce: Better than watching the Irish national team play, what rubbish we have to endure. Dundalk normally play good football. A decent cup final as finals go. Dundalk a class outfit. o’Neill and Keane could learn a lot from them about how to pass the ball and how Kenny tries to play quality football.
@Roger Bolger: Either Dundalk or City would beat National team, because they can pass the ball and keep possesion.
Just back from the game fantastic final. Was there with the Balbriggan under 15 team they loved it got free tickets from the FAI believe it or not.
@Carl O’Beirnes: which is it? Under 14s or under 15s? Are you an FAI PR man really?
Just back from the game was there with the Balbriggan under 14’s. The lads loved it the FAI gave the club free tickets believe it or not
Just back from the game was there with the Balbriggan under 14’s. The lads loved it the FAI gave the club free tickets believe it or not
@Carl O’Beirnes: I say you loved it too with the amount of your comments haha! Hope you had a good day
How many of the 30,000 were free tickets?
@Tim Thethird O’Hanrahan: I think there was 24,000 last year and 30k this year. A really good idea and should be a greater take up if done again.
Don’t know about anybody else but Dundalk,according to my phone app, celebrated Hoare’s goal by lifting the cup.