'We can give anyone a game': Holly O'Hagan inspired by Cork City's FAI Cup heroes ahead of Shelbourne semi

Holly O'Hagan of Cork City, left, and Aoife Kelly of Shelbourne during a Club Orange Women's FAI Cup semi-finals media event. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.

Holly O’Hagan was eight years old when Cork City won their only Women’s FAI Cup and she was 11 when they last reached their last final.

But even though she can’t really recall watching either match – a 1-0 victory over UCD Waves at the Aviva Stadium in 2017 followed by a 6-0 loss to Peamount United in Tallaght in 2020 – live, she has since seen the clips and has heard the stories from teammates which makes her eager to experience it for herself.

“I wouldn't have been at it, no,” begins O’Hagan, preferring to discuss the final City won rather than lost.

“I wouldn't have been that into it then. I wouldn't have been watching it day in day out as I am now. I've seen clips of it. I've seen Clare Shine’s goal. It's amazing.

“Clare Shine is obviously a big role model to me. She actually went to the same school as me. I think she's an amazing person. It would be an honour to get to another final. That could be great.

“Ciara McNamara, I've played with her. She's a big role model to me and I know how much that meant to her. And Kate O’Donovan as well. She's in the squad this year, she was in that team.

“They've told us how big a deal this is and we know how amazing it would be to win the FAI Cup for another time. So, we're going to do our best to make it happen.

“They always talk about it. It's a massive achievement. If I won, I'd be always talking about it as well. It's an amazing achievement.” But before City can even start to think about getting their hands back on the silverware, O’Hagan is aware that first they must overcome a talented Shelbourne side.

The young centre-back knows all too well how good a team Shels are given she made her debut against them last year, coming on when her team were already 7-0 down.

City have fared better against the Tolka Park club this season albeit they still ended up losing both their home and away games 3-0.

But O’Hagan believes in the magic of the cup and backed by a large crowd at Turner’s Cross this Saturday (4pm, live on TG4), she feels the Rebel Army can cause an upset under new manager Derek Coughlan, who scored the winner for City in an FAI Cup final replay in 1998.

“Ever since Derek's came in, he's placed a lot of faith in me,” added the 17-year-old.

Holly O'Hagan of Cork City poses for a portrait. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

“He's given me the freedom to make mistakes and just play with no pressure on my back, with a smile on my face and to play to your potential.

“To have someone who believes in you… Derek's been great for me. He's put me in my preferred position of centre-back. So yeah, I love leading the line.

“I think Eva (Mangan) said a couple of times he bleeds Cork City. He's just amazing, his passion and everything he says. Him and the coaching staff together are brilliant.

“They've really united us as a team. We know what we're doing, we have a purpose and we're really looking forward to this Saturday.

“It would mean the world (to reach the final). It's the stuff you dream of like since you're at a young age. It means so much to the club.

“All the girls are buzzing. We're really excited. It's a big game, FA Cup semi-final like. I mean, what more can you ask for really against Shels at home?

“We're hoping to get a big crowd in, and I think we're really going to give it a good go.

“I think if every one of us are at our best, we can give anyone a game.”