5 November 2017, 8pm
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Dundalk 1-1 Cork City (Cork City won 5-3 on penalties)
Cork City won the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup in dramatic fashion beating Dundalk 5-3 on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.
Mark McNulty saved Michael Duffy’s penalty to give Kieran Sadlier the opportunity to send the cup to Leeside for the second year running. Sadlier duly seized the opportunity to become an instant hero.
Both goalkeepers were busy in the opening period of normal time, with Gary Rogers denying Karl Sheppard from Stephen Dooley’s pull back the closest either side came to scoring.
It looked like Cork City had won the game in the last minute of normal time but Alan Bennett’s backheel was clawed out of the top corner by Gary Rogers. A remarkable save.
Four minutes into the first period of extra time, the deadlock was broken. Michael Duffy’s free kick from the right hand side was met by Niclas Vemmelund who found the top corner of Mark McNulty’s goal with a marvellous header.
City regrouped at half time of extra time with John Caulfield’s men finding the equaliser with nine minutes remaining. A fine through ball found Achille Campion who beat the offside trap and finished clinically past Gary Rogers.
Penalties followed with both teams converting the first seven spot kicks before Mark McNulty saved from Michael Duffy low to his right.
That gave Kieran Sadlier the chance to win the cup for City and he duly despatched his penalty to the corner of the net sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
The result not only sealed the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup but also ensured the league and cup double for Cork City to round off a fantastic season.
Dundalk: Rogers (GK), Gannon, Gartland (Hoare 91), O’Donnell ©, Duffy, McMillan, McGrath (Connolly 72), McEleney (Mountney 107), Massey, Benson, Vemmelund.
Cork City: McNulty (GK), Bennett ©, Delaney, Keohane (Sadlier 58), McCormack, Beattie, Dooley, Morrissey (Campion 99), Sheppard, Griffin, Buckley (Bolger 99).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
