Nail-biting end to FAI Cup Final sees Cork fans celebrate double with shootout victory
IT came after a tense penalty shootout, but Cork City fans were delirious when their team added the FAI Cup to their league title.
Not since 1951 has the club achieved the double and Cork fans were full of celebration as they left the Aviva Stadium last night.
It was extra sweet for the Leesiders as the club also won the Women’s FAI Cup Final only hours earlier with victory over UCD Waves.
Fans of vanquished Dundalk left the stadium with heavy steps after their side battled bravely for 120 minutes to a 1-1 draw after extra time, only to see their cup dream stubbed out in the penalty shootout.
Delighted Cork fan Regina Spillane from Nohoval, Co Cork, said: “It was a superb match. Absolutely 10 out of 10. Shay Griffin is my hero of the game as he was simply magnificent.”
Cork forward Achille Campion, who scored the equaliser in extra time, was the team’s top performer as
far as Ballyphehane resident James Cagney (44) was concerned.
One of Cork’s City’s newest fans was Spanish lawyer Ignacio Escribano (26), who now lives in Cork and who went to the Aviva with friends Keith Senior (45) and Keith’s son Cian (13).
A thrilled Ignacio said: “I’m a fan of Cork City and Real Madrid. Both teams are the same to me now as they have proved they are both cup winners this year.”
Dundalk fan Kaylagh Cunningham (31) left the Aviva in sorrowful mood with a group of female friends. “I’m gutted for Dundalk,” she told the Irish Independent.
“I can’t help thinking Cork City’s goal could have been off-side. We didn’t deserve to lose.
“Cork have the double this year and I wish them well but we’ll be back and win the double next year,” she said.
Disappointed fan Eddie Quinn (39) said: “We’re devastated. The penalties were a cruel way to decide the game. But good wishes to Cork.”
Many fans on both sides said the first 90 minutes had failed to reach the highest standards of football. But the stadium, which appeared not much more than half full, seemed to quake with the roars that erupted after the extra-time goals.
Ballincollig resident Mitch Collins (45) and his son Fionn (15) headed home to Cork in high spirits. “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s fantastic to win the double. It must be heart-breaking for Dundalk but we deserved to end the season with this win,” said Mitch.
Dubliner Brian Duff (57) proudly wore his Dundalk scarf having played for the club’s first team in the 1970s and 1980s and been on the winning team against Sligo in the 1982 final.
He said: “I thought Dundalk were the stronger side but both teams played magnificent football.
“It was a great game and a credit to both sides.”