Rory Gaffney found the back of the net twice in six minutes, which proved to be enough for Shamrock Rovers to defeat 10 man Cork City.
Shamrock Rovers: 2
Cork City: 0
The first shot on goal of the 2025 Sports Direct Mens FAI Cup Final came from a Cork City corner. Evan McLaughlin played it short, City moved it quick, with the ball being sent into the path of Darragh Crowley, whose effort from distance was tame and comfortable for Ed McGinty to deny.
Cork City came close to taking the lead a few minutes later. An Alex Nolan cross managed to go through everyone in the box before falling to Seani Maguire, but the 2016 cup final hero was denied of the opener by McGinty. The former Sligo Rovers shot stopper got down well to prevent the ball from nestling into the bottom right corner.
By the 30 minute mark, Shamrock Rovers had taken firm control of the match. However, Cork City were unwilling to budge, with Stephen Bradley’s side struggling to get into the box, with their only shot on target being a long range Graham Burke strike, that was sent directly at Conor Brann.
Shamrock Rovers first real chance of the afternoon came from a corner. Josh Honohan played the ball to the nearby Dylan Watts, with his cross finding Roberto Lopes. Lopes managed to get his head onto the ball, but flicked it wide of the right post.
Cork City went direct after claiming yet another Shamrock Rovers cross. There was a brief scramble for the ball, with it eventually falling between Honohan and the onrushing Harry Nevin. The Cork City fullback slid into the tackle, missing the ball and catching the shin of Honohan. The referee was quick to react, blowing his whistle and showing Nevin a red card just minutes before halftime.
Ger Nash was forced into a change after his side was reduced to ten men. Alex Nolan, who had been lively when on the ball, was replaced by Conor Drinan. A defensive minded change with City moving into a shape of 3-4-2 while on the ball and a 5-3-1 while off it.
Cork City came so close to taking the lead. Freddie Anderson found himself in the Shamrock Rovers box, with his header being palmed away by McGinty. McLaughlin was there on the followup effort, but somehow McGinty had gotten back to his feet to deny Cork City from point blank range. An incredible save that was ultimately for nothing as McLaughlin had been offside.
The ball was put into the back of the net by Rory Gaffney. A Shamrock Rovers corner was flicked on by Daniel Cleary at the near post, with Gaffney waiting at the back post to head home the opener. The veteran striker was clearly offside, and the game remained scoreless.
Gaffney wouldn’t have to wait long for his next chance. Dylan Watts picked up the ball inside the box, quickly getting a cross off to Danny Grant, who only needed one touch to tee up Rory Gaffney, with the Galway native smashing the ball into the City net.
The Shamrock Rovers press would punish the Cork City defense. Rory Feely’s clearance was blocked by Gaffney, who was able to take the ball, carry it down the open space on the right flank, and then slot home his second of the afternoon in just a matter of minutes. The Hoops fans had become overjoyed in celebrations, as a domestic double now looked to be secured.
In the final minutes of proceedings, Cork City were pushing for at the minimum a consolation. Ed McGinty was forced into several saves, but all of which were simply routine. Paul Norton blew his whistle in the 97th minute, as Shamrock Rovers were crowned FAI Cup champions and had completed a domestic double.
Man Of The Match: Rory Gaffney was simply the difference. Outside of his two goals he didn’t have much of an affect on the match, but what else would you ask from a 36 year old striker, two goals in a cup final to complete a domestic double.
Shamrock Rovers (3-5-2): Ed McGinty; Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Corey O’Sullivan, Danny Grant, Dylan Watts, Matt Healy, Aaron McNeff, Josh Honohan, Rory Gaffney, Graham Burke Subs: Daniel Mandroiu for Dylan Watts, John McGovern for Rory Gaffney (both 78′), Conor Malley for Danny Mandroiu (84′), Lee Grace for Josh Honohan, Sean Kavanagh for Graham Burke (both 88′).
Cork City(3-4-3): Conor Brann; Harry Nevin, Freddie Anderson, Fiacre Kelleher, Rory Feely, Darragh Crowley, Joshua Fitzpatrick, Evan McLaughlin, Greg Bolger, Alex Nolan, Seani Maguire Subs: Conor Drinan for Alex Nolan (HT), Matthew Murray for Greg Bolger, Kaedyn Kamara for Fiacre Kelleher (both 71′), Rory Keating for Evan McLaughlin (75′).
Referee: Paul Norton