Cup final to draw gate of 20,000

AN attendance in the region of 20,000 can be expected for next month’s FAI Carlsberg Cup final now that the game will take place at Lansdowne Road.

The decider between Cork City and Drogheda United was originally pencilled in for Tolka Park on December 4, but because of the huge interest in the match on the part of supporters of both clubs, the FAI have announced it is now being moved to Lansdowne Road on the same date. A club rugby match scheduled for the venue on the preceding day has been moved to facilitate the switch.

Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin welcomed the move, saying: “I always wanted it there. Most players in the eircom League get to play at Tolka Park three times a year. Realistically, your only chance of playing at Lansdowne Road is in a cup final. I know that cup finals don’t always live up to expectations but there will be two good sides in this game. It’s a showpiece occasion and I think for the teams, for the supporters, for the media and everyone else, it’s the perfect solution.”

Damien Richardson has also welcomed the switch. “Lansdowne has a great appeal in that it’s where the internationals are played,” says the Cork City manager. “I think it’s good for both the teams and the supporters to be going there.”