- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Dec 11 2020
CORK CITY
Cork City will be hoping to claim another FAI Cup scalp this weekend when they take on Peamount United in the FAI Cup Final on Saturday afternoon at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off is at 3.15pm).
The Leesiders are chasing their first Cup since 2017 when they defeated UCD Waves in the Aviva Stadium decider.
Ronan Collins’ side come into the game in buoyant mood after seeing off Treaty United in the last four of the competition.
But Saoirse Noonan is wary that Peamount will pose a real threat to City’s hopes of clinching the cup.
“Peamount have phenomenal players and a great management team,” Noonan said. “They’re very well organised and they would have a lot more older players in their team.
“I think there are four or five players that played with them in the 2017 cup final. It’s cup final day, ninety minutes and anything can happen with eleven v eleven.
“We’re definitely ready for it and we’ll be looking to enjoy it. It’s an exciting way to end 2020 and we’ll look to cherish that.”
She added: “They beat us the last few times and have won the league. We’ve got nothing to lose and we’ll give it our all. They’re yet to win a cup final so they’ll be going all out to win but so will we.
“We’ve looked back on our last couple of games against Peamount and I think we left ourselves open in the first few minutes of the games.
“We were probably just a bit nervous against such a quality side, but he reassured us that we’re able to play against top teams such as Wexford and Shelbourne.”
PEAMOUNT UNITED
After losing three FAI Cup Finals since their last success, Peamount United will be looking to clinch their second cup on Saturday afternoon.
Peas come into the game as reigning Women’s National League Champions after seeing Shelbourne to the league crown.
But they will not be taking Cork lightly despite their recent dominance over the Leeside outfit.
“We are in for a tough game against a well-organised team with a good mix of youth and experience who have plenty of Cup Final experience; indeed winning it in the 2017,” Peamount boss James O’Callaghan said.
“They play a possession-based game, who like to play through the thirds and are clinical on set-pieces. We are really going to have to be on our game if we are to lift the Cup.
“It’s brilliant to make our third FAI Cup Final in a row, great for all the volunteers who work so hard in the club.
“But it’s such a pity family members of the players and all the members of Peamount can’t attend the game, hopefully we can bring the Cup back to Peamount and make everyone proud.”
Referee: Claire Purcell.
MATCH STATS
Peamount United have not won the FAI Cup since 2010 – losing three cup finals since then, with the most recent of which being last year against Wexford Youths.
Cork City have also won the FAI Cup before, seeing off UCD Waves in the 2017 decider by a goal to nil at the Aviva Stadium.
Peamount United have won both games between the sides this year by three goals to nil in the league campaign.
BETTING
Cork City 9/1; Draw 5/1; Peamount United 1/8.
PREDICTION
Cork City 0 - 2 Peamount United
Cork City
Injured: Kate O’Donovan, Leah Murphy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Peamount United
Injured: Louise Corrigan, Louise Masterson.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
