It feels like this is a game both these sides have been waiting a long time for.
It was obvious Shamrock Rovers would be the 2025 Premier Division champions long before they officially sealed the title in their penultimate league game against Galway.
Similarly, Cork City have known they would be doomed to relegation for several weeks before their fate was confirmed following the loss to Shelbourne on 13 October.
Ger Nash’s side haven’t had a properly competitive fixture since then. By contrast, Shamrock Rovers had a rigorous workout on Thursday away to AEK Athens, earning a creditable 1-1 draw against a side full of experienced internationals and narrowly missing out on a famous win.
As league champions and a side full of big-game experience, Rovers are overwhelming favourites.
But Cork have already managed one major upset, beating St Pat’s 3-0 in the semi-final, while they also take heart from the fact that unfancied Drogheda overcame Derry City in the equivalent game last season.
On the brink of half-time, Burke had a free kick that was powerfully struck, but Brann got down well to parry the ball away.
Right after, the referee blows the half-time whistle.
9 Nov 2025
3:56PM
So that’s that.
Cork City will have been pretty happy with that first half until the moment of madness by Nevin meant the underdogs were reduced to 10 men.
They had largely restricted the Hoops to half-chances before then.
But if it wasn’t an uphill task already for Ger Nash’s side, they have a serious challenge on their hands now.
Rovers, meanwhile, will probably never get a better opportunity to secure their first league and cup double since 1987.
Stephen Bradley’s men will be expected to win comfortably now, though they will need an improved second-half performance if they are to break down a stubborn Cork City resistance.
Watts hangs in a cross for Grant, who sends it back across the area for Gaffney to tap home from close range. And this time, there is no linesman’s flag.
That goal had been coming, and it’s difficult to see a way back for Cork from here.
Shamrock Rovers' Rory Gaffney scores the first goal of the match. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
9 Nov 2025
4:52PM
86 mins: This game is petering out now with little of note happening.
The many stoppages have disrupted its flow.
9 Nov 2025
4:54PM
88 mins: Another worry for Rovers as Honohan goes down, although he is okay to walk off the pitch.
He’s one of the two changes with Burke also departing — Kavanagh and Grace have been introduced for late cameos.
9 Nov 2025
4:56PM
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time, which feels about right.
9 Nov 2025
4:59PM
35,252 is the official attendance today.
It’s not as high as other recent years (38,723 watched the 2024 final), but it’s still a fairly impressive tally in the context of this game’s recent history.
9 Nov 2025
5:01PM
94 mins: Cork threaten a late consolation.
A shot from distance by Fitzpatrick is parried away by McGinty.
A deserved win for Shamrock Rovers, who have clearly been the best side in the country this season.
Cork defended doggedly for long periods, but Nevin’s red card just before half-time really hurt them.
Rovers piled on the pressure after the break and overwhelmed their opponents to the degree that there was a sense of inevitability about the goal when it came.
McGinty had to make one or two important saves, but Cork ultimately didn’t offer much in attack and spent most of the game on the back foot.
The result is good news too for Bohemians, whose place in Europe is confirmed, owing to their fourth-place finish combined with Cork’s loss.
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As it happened: Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, FAI Cup final
Cork City 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
It feels like this is a game both these sides have been waiting a long time for.
It was obvious Shamrock Rovers would be the 2025 Premier Division champions long before they officially sealed the title in their penultimate league game against Galway.
Similarly, Cork City have known they would be doomed to relegation for several weeks before their fate was confirmed following the loss to Shelbourne on 13 October.
Ger Nash’s side haven’t had a properly competitive fixture since then. By contrast, Shamrock Rovers had a rigorous workout on Thursday away to AEK Athens, earning a creditable 1-1 draw against a side full of experienced internationals and narrowly missing out on a famous win.
As league champions and a side full of big-game experience, Rovers are overwhelming favourites.
But Cork have already managed one major upset, beating St Pat’s 3-0 in the semi-final, while they also take heart from the fact that unfancied Drogheda overcame Derry City in the equivalent game last season.
Today’s match kicks off at 3pm.
Confirmation of today’s teams…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Stephen Bradley and Ger Nash give their thoughts ahead of the game…
We’re underway…
4 mins: It’s been a relatively uneventful opening.
Crowley has just been penalised for a strong challenge on Burke that looked a painful one for the Rovers attacker.
6 mins: Crowley registers the game’s first shot on target from distance.
But it’s a comfortable enough save for McGinty.
10 mins: Grant plays a lofted through ball towards Gaffney.
But Brann is alert and able to collect it ahead of the striker.
12 mins: Chance for Cork.
A low cross finds Maguire on the edge of the area.
But McGinty is equal to the former Ireland international’s powerful shot.
18 minutes: It’s been a cagey opening.
Both sides have been tentative, though Cork will probably be happier, as Rovers have barely tested them yet.
23 mins: Loud cheers from the Cork fans as a lofted pass from Healy goes straight out of play.
That epitomises what has been a pretty underwhelming start to this game from Rovers.
Here’s a look at that Maguire half-chance…
33 mins: Burke tries an audacious shot from distance.
It bounces awkwardly, but Brann gathers the ball at the second attempt.
37 mins: Healy tries an attempt from the edge of the area, but it’s another routine save by Brann.
Cork will be happy enough with how this opening half has panned out so far.
39 mins: The increasingly influential Honohan gets to the byline and crosses, but Kelleher is in the right place to make a clearance.
Moments later, Lopes nods on Watts’ delivery into the area, but the effort sails harmlessly wide.
41 mins: Another good run by Honohan.
Crowley makes a timely challenge but concedes a corner.
The ensuing delivery by Watts is easily gathered by Brann.
RED CARD FOR CORK CITY!
Nevin is sent off in a serious blow to Cork’s chances.
It was a poor challenge on Honohan, who is receiving treatment but should be okay to continue.
It’s a decision that’s hard to argue with, as it was right on the player’s ankle and could have caused serious damage to the highly rated wing-back.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time…
HALF-TIME: CORK CITY 0-0 SHAMROCK ROVERS
On the brink of half-time, Burke had a free kick that was powerfully struck, but Brann got down well to parry the ball away.
Right after, the referee blows the half-time whistle.
So that’s that.
Cork City will have been pretty happy with that first half until the moment of madness by Nevin meant the underdogs were reduced to 10 men.
They had largely restricted the Hoops to half-chances before then.
But if it wasn’t an uphill task already for Ger Nash’s side, they have a serious challenge on their hands now.
Rovers, meanwhile, will probably never get a better opportunity to secure their first league and cup double since 1987.
Stephen Bradley’s men will be expected to win comfortably now, though they will need an improved second-half performance if they are to break down a stubborn Cork City resistance.
Here’s a look at the red card incident…
Cork City make a change at the break.
Nolan is replaced by Drinan.
The start of the second half has been delayed.
It’s because of all the smoke from flares, meaning the pitch is barely visible.
The second half has belatedly begun…
49 mins: Honohan doesn’t appear to be feeling the effects of that horrible first-half challenge.
He has just made another marauding run down the left before Cork manage to clear his low delivery.
50 mins: Big chance for Cork!
Anderson’s header from a cross forces a good save by McGinty, before the goalkeeper also blocks Maguire’s attempt on the rebound.
55 mins: Good defending from Fitzpatrick to stop Honohan getting past him and then winning a free kick as he shepherds the ball.
It continues to be an impressive defensive display from Cork.
You suspect Stephen Bradley will be considering making changes sooner rather than later.
60 mins: Rovers are applying more pressure now and have Cork pinned back in their box.
As I type, Gaffney heads the ball into the net after Cleary flicks on a Watts corner, but it’s correctly ruled out for offside.
62 mins: Rovers have definitely upped the tempo in this second half.
It’s feeling more like a typical backs-to-the-wall performance from Cork now.
64 mins: Brann is down receiving treatment.
It gives both sides a chance to take a water break, with the managers issuing tactical instructions from the sideline.
Here’s a look at the ruled-out Gaffney goal…
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 CORK CITY (GAFFNEY 66)
Watts hangs in a cross for Grant, who sends it back across the area for Gaffney to tap home from close range. And this time, there is no linesman’s flag.
That goal had been coming, and it’s difficult to see a way back for Cork from here.
71 mins: Cork make a double change.
Kelleher and Bolger go off.
Kamara and Murray come on.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-0 CORK CITY (GAFFNEY 71)
Disaster for Cork.
Feely’s attempted clearance is blocked by Gaffney, and it falls kindly for the striker, who finds himself through on goal.
He then finishes from the tightest of angles to surely secure Shamrock Rovers’ status as 2025 FAI Cup winners.
75 mins: Another Cork change.
Keating comes on for McLaughlin.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
78 mins: Rovers make a double change.
Watts and Gaffney go off.
Mandroiu and McGovern come on.
Here’s a look at Gaffney’s second goal that has effectively ended this game as a contest.
A worry for Rovers ahead of their upcoming European matches.
Having just come on, Mandroiu has gone down awkwardly and appears to be in some pain following a challenge by Kamara.
It seems unlikely he’ll be able to carry on playing.
84 mins: Mandroiu goes off on a stretcher.
Malley comes on in his place.
86 mins: This game is petering out now with little of note happening.
The many stoppages have disrupted its flow.
88 mins: Another worry for Rovers as Honohan goes down, although he is okay to walk off the pitch.
He’s one of the two changes with Burke also departing — Kavanagh and Grace have been introduced for late cameos.
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time, which feels about right.
35,252 is the official attendance today.
It’s not as high as other recent years (38,723 watched the 2024 final), but it’s still a fairly impressive tally in the context of this game’s recent history.
94 mins: Cork threaten a late consolation.
A shot from distance by Fitzpatrick is parried away by McGinty.
FULL-TIME: SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-0 CORK CITY
So that’s that.
A deserved win for Shamrock Rovers, who have clearly been the best side in the country this season.
Cork defended doggedly for long periods, but Nevin’s red card just before half-time really hurt them.
Rovers piled on the pressure after the break and overwhelmed their opponents to the degree that there was a sense of inevitability about the goal when it came.
McGinty had to make one or two important saves, but Cork ultimately didn’t offer much in attack and spent most of the game on the back foot.
The result is good news too for Bohemians, whose place in Europe is confirmed, owing to their fourth-place finish combined with Cork’s loss.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to follow shortly.
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