Rovers seal Cup Double in Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers lifted the IAFA Fyffes Cup at Oriel Park, adding to the IAFA Manorfields Cup they won mid-way through the season in Limerick, to seal a Cup double. League Champions Cork City, league runners-up Bohemian FC and Rovers contested a highly competitive and hugely entertaining tournament at the home of Dundalk FC, Oriel Park. Each team played each other twice in a round robin before Rovers met Bohs in the Cup final. Bohs bested Cork twice, Rovers secured a win and a draw with the league champions, and the two Dublin sides played out two cagey draws in the qualifying rounds. City fought valiantly throughout the day but without two key players were unable to match their Dublin rivals who were both desperately seeking silverware.

The final was yet another cagey, tactical affair. Neither side had been beaten, nor had they conceded a goal throughout the day. The two sides cancelled each other out in a first half which saw few chances on goal. Early in the second half Rovers broke the deadlock. Alan Wall delivered a corner low to the penalty spot and Kevan O'Rourke struck the ball past James Conroy. Bohs pushed forward in search of an equaliser while Rovers were content to hold onto their advantage. Rovers defended resolutely to secure victory by the narrowest of margins.

The Fyffes Cup proved to be a fitting end to what has been a fantastic inaugural season of the IAFA National League. The IAFA would like to thank Fyffes, Dundalk FC and all at Oriel Park and indeed the many supporters who turned out to enjoy what was an incredibly entertaining spectacle of amputee football. 

22 September 2018 - IAFA Fyffes Cup - Oriel Park, Dundalk

Round 1
Bohemian FC 1-0 Cork City (Boyle)
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Bohemian FC
Cork City 0-2 Shamrock Rovers (O'Rourke x2)

Round 2
Cork City 0-1 Bohemian FC (Balog)
Bohemian FC 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Cork City

Final
Bohemian FC 0-1 Shamrock Rovers (O'Rourke)

​Special thanks to Ciaran Culligan for the fantastic photos.