Sunday’s FAI Intermediate Cup Final will be an all-Cork affair as Cobh Wanderers and St. Mary’s AFC go to battle at the Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium.

Both teams have reached this stage of the competition previously, Cobh in 2017 and St.Mary’s in 2000, but both left that day as runners-up.

One thing guaranteed is that there will be in a new name on the cup come Sunday afternoon. Cobh Wanderers run to the final is even more impressive when it’s considered, they are a First Division Munster Senior League side following relegation from the Premier Division last year. While enjoying home advantage for four of five ties they have put numerous teams to the sword including four teams from Dublin.

St. Mary’s go into the final with great confidence. They demolished last-year’s winners College Corinthians 5-1 in the Quarter Finals before knocking out the much fancied St. Mochta’s in the semi-final.

The game is available to stream on HERE

Match Details

Competition: FAI Intermediate Cup Final
Fixture: Cobh Wanderers vs St. Mary’s AFC
Date: Sunday, September 20
KO: 2pm
Venue: Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium, Cork

Coverage: WATCH LIVE ON FAI YOUTUBE

Quotes:

Frank McCall Chairman of Cobh Wanderers said: “It’s a bit surreal to find ourselves in the final. Last year we were relegated from the Premier Division to the First Division and the whole club was on a downer, naturally. But the appointment of our new manager Jason Abbott has brought a breath of fresh air to everything at the club. We’ve had big clubs from Dublin come to Cobh – perhaps expecting a nice passage – but we’ve produced the good time after time and we find ourselves in the final.”

Charlie Sillett of Cobh Wanderers: “This final is massive for Cork football generally but for Cobh Wanderers it’s huge. The last time we were in the final was nine years ago. It would be huge if we went one better and brought the trophy back. None of us expected this, especially after relegation, but since the manager has come in there’s a great buzz around the club and anything is possible.”

Craigh Hurley Manager of St. Mary’s AFC said: “It’s going to be a great occasion for both clubs, all players and their families. For us it’s about getting the result, it’s all tunnel vision and focus on that. It’s been a mad run to the final, we’ve had last-minute winners, wins over teams we’ve been written off against. It was a statement win against College Corinthians and St. Mochta’s are probably one of the best team’s we’ve ever played. However we’ve overcome them and hopefully we can get over the line on Sunday.”

Dan Ryan of St Mary’s AFC said: “It is only the second time in the club’s 78-year history that they’ve got to an Intermediate Cup Final so it’s a massive occasion for the club. We hope the people who went before and those after us remember will remember us for Sunday. There’s great energy around the club from all the kids teams all the way up to the our team. Everyone is really looking forward to it.”

Cobh Wanderers – Path to the Final

Round 1 – Bye

Round 2
Everton 0-3 Cobh Wanderers 

Round 3
Cobh Wanderers 2-0 Skerries Town

Round 4
Cobh Wanderers 4-3 Wayside Celtic

Quarter Final
Cobh Wanderers 1-0 Malahide United

Semi Final
Cobh Wanderers 1-1 Finglas United (Cobh Wanderers win 4-3 on penalties)
 

Cobh Wanderers Squad List

Goalkeepers: Mark Power, Darragh Burke.

Defenders: Dave Curran, David Stack, Adam O’Sullivan, Cormac Downing, Eoin Hasting, Samuel Dow, Adam Hasting, Connor Walsh, Kyle Downing, Luke McDonnell

Sean Cummins, Stephen Rowe.

Midfielders: Bill Anderson, Adam Barrett, Alex Lynch, Diarmuid Kearney, Domagoj Mikleusevic, Kevin Foster, Dylan McNamara.

Forwards: James Stoat, Ciaran Griffin, Jack Leahy, Oisin Dorgan, Alan O’Flynn, Evan O’Leary, Charlie Sillett.

Technical Staff

Manager | Jason Abbott
Assistant Manager | Darragh Burke
Coach | Bryan Fitzgerald
Coach | Gary Collins
Coach | Ian Murphy
Coach | Stephen Quinlan
Coach | Eddie Nolan
Coach | Tony Girasole

St. Mary’s AFC – Path to the Final

Round 1- Bye

Round 2
Carrigtwohill United 0-3 St. Mary’s

Round 3
Montpellier FC 2-3 (AET) St. Mary’s

Round 4
St Mary’s 2-1 Sacred Heart

Quarter Final 
College Corinthians 1-5 St. Mary’s

Semi Final
St. Mary’s 4-3 St Mochta’s

St. Mary’s Squad List

Goalkeepers: Oisin Barry, Jamie Geasley.

Defenders: Jason Conway, Colm Murphy, Robert Rourke, Dan Ryan Fortune, David Dunphy, Fionn Kelly, Scott Hurley, Conor Sexton, Kyle Keeley, Ronan Murphy, Ryan Manley.

Midfielders: Jakub Gaup, Neill Cunningham, Cian Browne, Shane Brown.

Forwards: James O’Leary, Dylan Doherty, Sean Lennon, Corey Murphy, Bradley Walsh, Sean O’Keeffe, Craig Mostyn.

Technical Staff

Manager | Craig Hurley
Assistant Manager | Eric O’Driscoll
Coach | Alan O’Flynn
Coach | Michael Walsh
Goalkeeping Coach | Stephen Moynihan
Physio | John Hurley