Cork City have secured a historic double today, beating Dundalk 5-3 on penalties to win the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium.
The match went to penalties, with Kieran Sadlier firing a penalty into the bottom corner and ensure back-to-back cups for his side.
Kieran Sadlier's penalty that won the #FAICupFinal for @CorkCityFC! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kJdNSALdIq
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 5, 2017
For the third year in a row City met Dundalk in the final and the sides were unable to produce a winner after 90 minutes. The game was played out in front of a 24,210 crowd, a decrease on 2016's 26,400 and 2015's 25,103.
For Cork manager John Caulfield, this victory caps a remarkable season for his side. Dominant from the get-go in the league, the Leesiders stormed to win 21 out of 22 games in the league. They lost their lead goalscorer in Sean Maguire. It's the first Cork City double since 1951.
The game was not a classic, with initial exchanges frayed. Cork soon grew into the game, the fact Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers received man-of-the-match telling in how the game played out. Extra-time was required after an exceptional Rogers save denied Cork in the last minute of additional time. A thundering Niclas Vemmelund header crashed past a strandered Mark McNulty to give Dundalk the lead.
However the goal did not halt Cork's barrage. Their resilience finally paid off when Achille Campion grabbed an equaliser and forced the game to penalties.
Mark McNulty denied Michael Duffy after an exceptionally high standard shoot-out, leaving it to Sadlier to slot home and ensure a historic season for City.
A celebrating Cork City side were joined on field by Sean Maguire, currently unavailable for his club Preston North End due to injury. An emotional Mark McNulty was delighted after "years of frustration."
Cork keeper Mark McNulty talks after winning FAI Cup final on a penalty shootout - "I've taken a lot of stick, especially from Dundalk fans" pic.twitter.com/53KJNgQAWi
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 5, 2017
