St Pat's have won the 2021 FAI Cup in dramatic fashion, beating Bohemians on penalties at the Aviva Stadium this evening.
After a 1-1 draw after extra-time, Robbie Benson would score the deciding penalty to hand the club their fourth ever triumph in this competition.
The 90 minutes of regulation time produced few clearcut chance, although James Talbot was called into action to keep Bohs level on a couple of occasions.
That all changed in extra-time.
The first goal of the game came via Chris Forrester, with the midfielder scoring a wonderful goal against his former side to give Pat's the lead.
A stunning goal from Chris Forrester has given @stpatsfc the lead in extra-time #rtesoccer #FAICupFinal
📺 Watch - https://t.co/HGzsLXxJJJ
📱 Updates - https://t.co/3qMEuvAiCz pic.twitter.com/BgYGdQ4IiT— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2021
Considering the relative lack of chances up to that point, that one felt like the winner.
However, Bohs would soon bounce back with a goal of his own. It came via Rory Feely who rose highest to power home a corner at the near post.
Just after St Pat's took the lead, @bfcdublin levelled at the start of the second half of extra-time through Rory Feely #rtesoccer #FAICupFinal
📺 Watch - https://t.co/HGzsLXxJJJ
📱 Updates - https://t.co/3qMEuvAiCz pic.twitter.com/z09uae6z7X— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2021
From this point on, penalties looked to be calling.
That proved to be the case, although not before Vitezslav Jaros denied Bohemians with a couple of stunning saves at the death.
After a nervy shootout in which both sides missed, Robbie Benson would ultimately score the deciding penalty as St Pat's sealed a first FAI Cup since 2014.
The moment Robbie Benson converted to win the #FAICup for @stpatsfc #RTESoccer #FAICupFinal
📺 Watch - https://t.co/HGzsLXxJJJ
📱 Reaction - https://t.co/3qMEuvAiCz pic.twitter.com/bNfSjPQnXq— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2021
Chris Forrester knows what this means for the club more than most.
A boyhood Bohemians fan, he has been associated with Pat's since 2012, losing a final in this competition that year before going on to win it in 2014.
He would spend time in the UK, coming back to the league after some struggles in his personal life. He has gone from strength to strength since, capping it off with a goal and cup win this evening.
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, Forrester said he found the experience of this final to be very different to that defeat in 2012.
I was obviously a bit anxious when he missed my peno, but [Robbie Benson] came up trumps for us. The lads slotted away the penalties when they were needed, so we are delighted...
I kind of let the [2012 FAI Cup final] get on top of me. Today I rocked in and I was nimble, I know I sound like a boxer, but I was loose and ready to go.
I think I had an average enough game, but the goal topped it off. At the end of the day it doesn't matter, we won the trophy and that's it...
We keep on building. That's been the aim for the gaffer since he came in, you can see that we went from stride to stride.
We will keep on building and rock into next season full of confidence.
A well deserved winner's medal for a brilliant player.
Speaking in the same interview, Robbie Benson summed up how good Forrester had been over the course of the campaign.
He's been brilliant all year for us. He's our talisman and a special talent.
We're just so proud to have him at our club.
St Pat's will enjoy this win, but attention will soon turn to how they can wrestle the league title away from Shamrock Rovers in 2022.
The confidence gained this evening will certainly help their cause.
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