2007 FAI Cup Final
| Event | 2007 FAI Cup | ||||||
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| Date | 2 December 2007 | ||||||
| Venue | RDS Arena, Dublin | ||||||
| Referee | Dave McKeon | ||||||
The 2007 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 2007 FAI Cup, the national association football cup of the Republic of Ireland. Cork City and Longford Town contested the final, which was played at the RDS Arena in Dublin as Lansdowne Road, the usual venue for the final, was under re-development. Much of the build-up to the game was dominated by the events at Cork City, where many of the squad were out of contract and were seemingly not going to be offered new deals. Cork won the game 1-0 by virtue of a goal from Denis Behan. Despite his side's victory, Cork manager Damien Richardson left the club a few weeks later and was replaced by Longford manager Alan Mathews.
Both clubs entered the competition at the second round, alongside all of the other League of Ireland clubs, and completed four ties before reaching the final. Cork City played solely League of Ireland opposition, whereas Longford Town were drawn against two non-league sides.
Cork City began the competition against First Division side Shelbourne. Cork City won the game 1-0; Roy O'Donovan's penalty in the 8th minute being the only goal of the game. O'Donovan won the penalty himself after a foul from Conor Rafferty. The third round match against Kilkenny City finished 5-1 to Cork. Cork players Brian O'Callaghan, Leon McSweeney and Colin Healy all scored in a 6-minute period in the first half to put the home side 3-0 up. Although Kilkenny did pull a goal back, John O'Flynn scored two goals towards the end of the second half to seal a comfortable win. Cork City required a replay to advance past the quarter-finals after initially drawing 1-1 against Waterford United. Waterford took the lead on 10 minutes through Dave Warren's free kick and they could have doubled their lead but for Alan Kearney's goal being ruled out on 28 minutes. Cork equalised early in the second half through Denis Behan but nearly fell behind again after Vinnie Sullivan hit the woodwork. The replay was not such a close encounter as Cork, this time playing at home, comfortably won 4-0. Denis Behan scored a hat-trick. with Liam Kearney scoring the other goal.Bohemians were the opposition in the semi-final. Although they were the away side, Cork guaranteed their place in final by winning 2-0. Liam Kearney scored both the goals.
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