Fiacre Kelleher: From my perspective, everything Dermot Usher is doing is for the betterment of Cork City

A statement released by the Cork City supporters' groups on Wednesday morning confirmed a protest will take place at Friday night’s FAI Cup semi-final with St Pats.

Fiacre Kelleher speaks to the media during a Cork City media conference, at Bishopstown Stadium ahead of the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Semi-Final. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Fiacre Kelleher was on loan at Peterhead from Celtic back in 2016 when Seani Maguire’s effort trickled into the far bottom left corner in the 121st minute to win Cork City the FAI Cup.

But he remembers it well, not least because Maguire has been reminding his teammates of that famous moment recently.

“He won’t shut up about it,” joked Kelleher on Tuesday.

“Seáni getting that late winnerwas kind of my last Cork City memory of them being in the final.

“You would be in-season so it was difficult to get back for them, but they are always on RTÉ aren’t they so you can tune in and watch them so I’ve done that.

“But nah, Seáni's very humble. He's a good person to have around the group now as well. Mark as well. Mark McNulty is great. They both have fond memories of being in Cup Finals.

“They've just said how amazing the experience is that week in the build-up to the final and things.

“If we didn't need any more motivation to do it, the two of them just helped to paint a good picture of what would be there if we can win on Friday.”

St Patrick’s Athletic stand between Cork City and a first return to the showpiece occasion at the Aviva Stadium since 2018, an opportunity that seemed unlikely given their struggles in the league.

City are on the brink of relegation to the First Division for the third time in the last five seasons as they sit bottom of the Premier Division, 11 points behind their closest rivals Waterford with just four games remaining.

A statement released by the Cork City supporters' groups on Wednesday morning confirmed a protest will take place at Friday night’s semi-final with Pats which will be directed "squarely" at club owner Dermot Usher and "the direction he is taking the club", rather than the City players.

The supporters' groups insist they "will not stay silent while the club's heart, soul and identity are being torn away" although this demonstration may have to wait as there is a risk of this last four clash being postponed until Sunday due to the stormy weather forecast.

When asked about his thoughts on the protest, Kelleher added: “It's the biggest game of the season really for us. It's our chance to give them a day out in the Aviva.

“It's a chance for all of us to come together and make something of this season. We need all their support and they're well entitled to do what they're doing. Come kick off, we'd love as best support as we can from them.

“I'm just a player and as close as I am to the club, they'll have their reasons for doing what they're doing.

“I don't think it's for me to sway them either way, but I just love their support and they've been very good to us so far.

“All I can say as well on Dermot (Usher), he's given us so much support.

“We stayed overnight for the game on Friday against Galway, which is not usually done. He's invested a lot in bringing players back from England, like myself and Rory (Feely), and investing in new talent.

“From my perspective, everything he's doing is for the betterment of the club.”