St Patrick's Athletic have been crowned FAI Cup champions, defeating Bohemians on a 3-1 scoreline after a thrilling final at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
A repeat of the 2021 decider, a record crowd was expected at Lansdowne Road to watch the fixture between the two Dublin clubs. In the end 43,881 would attend what was a massively exciting match.
Bohemians had a dream start in the game, finding themselves ahead in the ninth minute. The goal came from the penalty spot, with Jonathan Afolabi converting after he was brought down in the area.
Bohemians 1-0 St Pat's
Breslin clips Afolabi from behind and it's an early penalty to Bohemians that the striker converts for his 20th goal of the season
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/2lZ9r2fKIT#FAICupfinal #BOHPAT #LOI pic.twitter.com/WrFaWcOWM5— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 12, 2023
While Bohs started the game brilliantly and were in the ascendancy at this point, their lead did not last long.
St Pat's got back on level terms via a set-piece, with Mark Doyle heading home a pinpoint delivery from Jake Mulraney.
Bohemians 1-1 St Pat's
Mulraney whips in a free-kick and Doyle heads the Saints level
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/2lZ9r2fKIT#FAICupfinal #BOHPAT #LOI pic.twitter.com/Zbm24rA2PU— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 12, 2023
While Bohemians would create the better scoring opportunities in the first half, they would fail to make the pressure count as the teams went into the interval on level terms.
It was Pat's who would take the lead early in the second half. It came after another brilliant delivery from Mulraney, this time leading to an own goal from Krystian Nowak.
Bohemians 1-2 St Pat's
Another Mulraney free-kick, another goal for the Saints! An OG by the unfortunate Nowak
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/2lZ9r2fKIT#FAICupfinal #BOHPAT #LOI pic.twitter.com/XphcT3VnBA— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 12, 2023
Bohemians pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half. They came close on a few occasions, most notably when Jordan Flores hit the bar from a free-kick.
St Pat's would go on to put the result beyond all doubt in the final moments, with 18-year old Tommy Lonergan scoring a brilliant long range strike to ensure that the cup would be returning to Inchicore.
Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's
19-year-old Tommy Lonergan surely seals the #FAICupfinal for the Saints
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/2lZ9r2fKIT#FAICupfinal #BOHPAT #LOI pic.twitter.com/Dx0gdsRLIl— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 12, 2023
In the end, that was enough to secure an FAI Cup triumph for the fifth time in the club's history.
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Jon Daly praises youngsters after St Pat's FAI Cup triumph
One of the most notable things about the current St Pat's squad is the remarkable amount of young talent they have at their disposal.
Not only did Tommy Lonergan seal the cup with that goal, but the likes Sam Curtis, Alex Nolan, Adam Murphy, and Mason Melia also played a role in the victory. The future is certainly bright for the club, especially if they can hang onto those players for the next few seasons.
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, St Pat's boss Jon Daly expressed brilliantly about empowering young players in the modern game. He also summed up what this win would mean to his squad.
"It's a fantastic feeling" - Jon Daly thought set-pieces were crucial to St Pat's #FAICupfinal victory
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📱 Match report https://t.co/QlYubQz4Wj #FAICupfinal pic.twitter.com/FcQU55wivX— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 12, 2023
They're good enough. I'm not just saying that blasé, I genuinely mean it.
They're good enough players. When you're good enough, you get opportunities.
For me, I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity when I was a young player and it was great to get to repay that with young players, give them an opportunity to play first team football, play at an occasion like this with a record attendance.
I'm delighted for the fans, it's unbelievable. They have turned out in massive numbers this year. It's great for our fans and the lads, now we're all going to go and enjoy our night...
I'm obviously delighted for the boys, looking over at them there celebrating. They've put in a lot of effort for the two years I've been here, not just this season.
I'm thrilled, delighted for them and my family. They've had to put up with a lot of stick with me living away from home, so I'm absolutely thrilled and over the moon.
It's hard to put into words, it's a fantastic feeling. Commiserations to Bohs, I thought they played well on the day.
Well said.
This fixture brings to an end what has been a largely disappointing season for Bohemians, who will now be without European football next season.
As for Pat's, while they were inconsistent at times, a third-placed finish in the league and a cup triumph is certainly not a bad return for the season.
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