Shamrock Rovers win historic double with Cup triumph

By Ciaran Callan

Shamrock Rovers clinched their 26th Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup title with a 2–0 victory over Cork City at the Aviva Stadium. After a scoreless first half in which City were reduced to ten men, a second-half brace from Rory Gaffney proved decisive, securing the win for Stephen Bradley’s side and completing a domestic double to accompany their European campaign.

Cork City created the first opening of the game in the 6th minute. A short corner worked to Darragh Crowley allowed him to get a low effort away, but McGinty saved at the second attempt. Seani Maguire then forced another strong stop from the Rovers goalkeeper on 13 minutes, meeting a cross from Alex Nolan with a first-time strike that McGinty kept out right on the line.

Rovers began to settle and grow into the game. Graham Burke registered their first effort on target on the half-hour mark after picking up a loose pass outside the area and sending a well-placed shot toward goal, though Brann gathered it at the second attempt. Moments later, City conceded a corner, and from Dylan Watts’ delivery, Roberto Lopes challenged at the near post, but Greg Bolger was alert to clear.

Matt Healy tested Brann again in the 36th minute with a half-volley from the edge of the box that the Cork City goalkeeper held comfortably. Lopes then glanced a header just wide after attacking a cross from the left, with Brann appearing to have it covered as it flashed past the far post.

Cork City were reduced to ten men in the 44th minute, as Harry Nevin received a straight red card for a high challenge on Joshua Honohan. The final opportunity of the half fell to Rovers from a free kick on the edge of the area, with Burke’s low curling strike pushed away by Brann before the ball was eventually shepherded behind for a goal kick.

Cork City went close to opening the scoring early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Joshua Fitzpatrick delivered a cross into the area, and Freddie Anderson’s glancing header was well saved by McGinty. The Rovers goalkeeper had to react quickly to get up to block Seani Maguire’s follow-up effort on the rebound.

Burke went close for Rovers in the 58th minute, seeing his goalbound effort blocked by a diving header from Feely during a sustained spell of pressure. Rovers thought they had taken the lead shortly afterwards when a corner from Watts on the right was flicked across goal by Cleary and headed in by Gaffney, but the striker was adjudged to have made his run too early and the goal was ruled out for offside.

Rory Gaffney was to get the breakthrough as he opened the scoring in the 65th minute. A cross from Holohan on the left was met at the back post by Watts, who directed the ball into Gaffney’s path, and the Rovers striker made no mistake with a first-time finish past Brann at the near post.

Gaffney doubled Rovers’ lead in the 71st minute with a well-taken solo effort. He blocked an attempted clearance on the right and collected the loose ball before driving into the City penalty area. With Brann advancing to narrow the angle, Gaffney placed a low strike into the corner to score his second of the game. 

Rovers continued to create chances, with both McGovern and Burke finding space to shoot, though neither effort seriously tested Brann. Cork City had an opportunity to pull one back in added time when Feely’s half-volley from the edge of the area looped just over the bar. Both keepers were called into action before the final whistle, with Brann denying McEneff, while Feely again went close at the other end, only for McGinty to make a strong save with an outstretched hand. 

Shamrock Rovers saw out the contest to clinch their 26th cup in their illustrious cup history.  
Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Honohan (Grace 88); Lopes; Cleary; Watts (Mandroiu 77) (Malley 84); McEneff; Burke (Kavanagh 88); Healy; Gaffney (McGovern 77); Grant; O'Sullivan

Subs not used: Steacy; Matthews; Nugent; Barrett.

Cork City: Brann (GK); Nevin; Kelleher (Kamara 70); Bolger (M. Murray 70); McLaughlin (Keating 74); Nolan (Drinan 46); Crowley; Fitzpatrick; Anderson; Maguire; Feely

Subs not used: Odumosu; Lyons; Nelson; S. Murray; Kiernan;

Booked: Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers)

Sent off: Harry Nevin (Cork City)

Player of the Match:

Referee: Paul Norton

Attendance: 35,252