Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to win the FAI Cup for the 26th time on Sunday next when they play Cork City in this year’s final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Apart from Rovers fans, supporters of their great north Dublin rivals Bohemians will also be hoping that the Hoops win the famous trophy because if they do then Bohs will get one of the two European Conference League spots available next season.
Rovers qualified for the first-ever FAI Cup final against St James’ Gate which was played at Dalymount Park on St Patrick’s Day 1922. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the ‘Gate won the replay 1-0. Rovers didn’t have to wait long for their first Cup success, beating Ringsend neighbors Shelbourne 2-1 in 1925 final at Dalymount. Those were the days of Rovers’ famous Four Fs: Fullam, Flood, Farrell and Fagan and their goal scorers in their first-ever FAI Cup win 100 years ago were Bob Fullam and John Joe Flood. Also in the Rovers team was William “Sacky” Glen, who would go on to win six more Cup medals with Rovers and an 8th with Shelbourne in 1939 when the Reds denied the legendary Dixie Dean, who was playing for Sligo at that time. Rovers have no equals when it comes to the FAI Cup and Dundalk, who are second in the roll of honor, have only 12 wins.
Sunday’s opponents Cork City have won the Cup four times since they joined the League in 1984. However, Rovers and other Cork clubs featured in some memorable Cup finals in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, with the 1969 win over Cork Celtic making a sixth consecutive win. On Sunday, Rovers will be bidding for a League-Cup double and the last time they did that was in 1987; it would be 2019 before the cup was won again.
Cork City, who are already relegated from the Premier Division, would get the Europa League spot next season if they win on Sunday; but if Rovers win then it will be Derry City who get it with Shelbourne and Bohemians qualifying for the Conference League.
