Cork City fans travelled with optimism despite disastrous season
Rory Gaffney's second goal for Shamrock Rovers killed all Cork City hopes. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Forty-two points and eight positions separated relegated Cork City and the champions Shamrock Rovers at the end of the Premier Division season.
Yet the optimism amongst the large City crowd gathered on the Lower Glanmire Road waiting to get on one of the six Citylink buses departing Cork and heading to Dublin for the FAI Cup Final at 9.30am on Sunday morning was largely positive. Although not as positive as the few lads climbing into their limousine. They were sure to have a good day out regardless.
That optimism grew and grew and lasted until the 66th minute. It had been damaged in the 43rd minute in truth when Harry Nevin was given his marching orders for a high challenge on former Cork City star Josh Honohan.
The bouncing ball was there to be won, but he didn’t. Instead, he caught the shin of Honohan and was quickly and correctly shown the red card for his red mist, despite his disbelief.
Still City and their contingent amongst the 35,252 in attendance continued to believe. They had withstood the Rovers onslaught before the break, and they were still holding firm at the beginning of the second period.
They even went closest to scoring, but Edward McGinty got down low to his right to turn Freddie Anderson’s excellent header away from his goal. It’s moments like that which often decide finals.
From potentially going 1-0 up against all odds, City soon found themselves a goal down. Anderson, who had an excellent game overall, was almost the hero but soon his error inside the penalty area played a significant role in Rovers’ opener.
Gaffney didn’t travel with Rovers for their spirited 1-1 draw with AEK Athens in Greece during the week. His extra energy allowed him to escape his marker inside the box before tapping home for the crucial opener.
To rub salt deep into City wounds, the PA played by the Frank and Walters as Rovers’ celebratory goal music. It was quickly cut before it quickly returned before it was quickly cut again.
Still City battled though and buoyed by the much welcomed return of striker Ruairi Keating from his horrendous injury he suffered away to Derry City back in April, still they felt like it could be their day.
But another mistake was pounced upon by Rovers and by Gaffney with 72 minutes on the clock. For the City fans that boarded those six buses at 9.30am, for the few that piled into the luxury limo, and for the many more that set off before and after ourselves by trains, planes (yes planes as a couple of fans flew in from Prague for the decider) and automobiles, this was truly the moment their optimism died.
This wasn’t to be their day. Instead, it was Gaffney’s day, as he decided against pulling the ball back from a tight angle and opted to squeeze it past Connor Brann to make it 2-0.
Still City battled until the very end and McGinty was again called into action deep into injury time as he palmed Josh Fitzpatrick’s thunderous drive away from his goal.
But by then many City fans had begun the long journey home. A spirited display and a disappointing result to end the season with.
But even had they achieved the unlikely, or what had almost become the impossible following Nevin’s dismissal, and won the Cup to secure a return to the Europa League in 2026, for many it was still a disastrous season for the club.
They salvaged some pride with their performance but now it’s up to the powers that be to salvage the club’s reputation after a third relegation in six seasons.
But enough about Cork City, this is Rory Gaffney’s day. This is Shamrock Rovers’ day. This is Stephen Bradley’s day.
A first League and FAI Cup double since 1987 has been secured. With more European fixtures on the horizon, their momentous season could still get even better.
But regardless of that, their place in history has now been written, as has Bradley’s name amongst the club’s greatest ever managers.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
