St Mary's will face Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Intermediate Cup final after a super Saturday in Cork

There are sporting days that live long in the memory, and Saturday was certainly one of them for Cork soccer.

By the end of a remarkable day of drama, nerves and celebration, St Mary’s and Cobh Wanderers had booked their places in the Intermediate Cup final, setting up an all-Cork showdown and ensuring that the trophy will stay in Leeside.

Both sides had to earn their passage in very different but equally dramatic circumstances. 

St Mary’s came through a seven-goal thriller, edging a remarkable contest 4-3, while Cobh Wanderers prevailed after a gripping penalty shoot-out.

For Cobh, their achievement is particularly noteworthy given the club’s recent fortunes. The Wanderers were relegated from the Munster Senior League under Stephen Henderson, but Jason Abbott has breathed fresh life into the side since taking charge. 

His work has helped transform the mood around the club, and Saturday’s success means Cobh will appear in their first final in nine years.

“It is a fantastic achievement to reach the final,” said Abbott. The club has waited nine years to be back in this position, with some members of that squad still playing and others now part of the management team, so it was brilliant to get over the line.” 

The occasion had been building throughout the town, with the Cobh support turning out in huge numbers.

“There was a huge build-up around the town, and the supporters came out in great numbers today. Their backing drove the players on when we needed it most.” 

He was also quick to praise the volunteers and committee members who worked tirelessly to prepare the ground for the occasion.

GUTSY

On the pitch, Cobh had to show tremendous resilience. Abbott admitted that Finglas had looked dangerous during the opening half, but his players remained disciplined and difficult to break down before raising their performance after the interval.

Extra time brought even more drama. A brilliant delivery from Dave Curran was won in the air by Sean Cummins, before George Keating’s bravery earned Cobh a penalty, which Ciaran converted.

When Finglas struck a last-minute equaliser to force penalties, it could easily have broken Cobh’s momentum. Instead, Abbott’s side showed the mentality that has taken them to the final.

“Conceding a last-minute equaliser to send the game to penalties was sickening, but we showed great character and mentality to go again,” he said.

Goalkeeper Mark Power subsequently became the hero, saving two penalties, while Cobh’s takers showed remarkable composure under enormous pressure.

For St Mary’s manager Craig Hurley, meanwhile, Saturday represented another huge milestone in an already impressive journey.

Their 4-3 victory was a game that had seemingly everything, with St Mary’s going ahead four times only to be pegged back on three occasions.

“The game was a really good game. It went back and forth and must have been a great watch for a neutral,” Hurley said. Shows the character of both teams really, that both teams never gave up.”

EPIC

 The achievement is extraordinary when put into the wider context of St Mary’s history.

The club have only been back in the Premier Division of the Munster Senior League for three seasons, having won promotion after claiming the First Division title. Now they have reached the Intermediate Cup final for only the second time in 78 years.

Their previous final appearance came in the 2000-01 season, when they lost a replay.

“It means the world to me to get to the final because this group of players and management deserve it,” said Hurley. "They are really good kids who train so hard and are really good guys to have in the club.” 

St Mary’s have also had to overcome formidable opposition along the way, defeating St Mochtas and College Corinthians on their route to the final.

For Hurley, though, the significance goes beyond the result. Many of the players have been part of the club’s journey for years, progressing from the First Division to becoming established Premier Division players.

The scenes after Saturday’s victory underlined what the achievement means to the entire club. A huge crowd turned out, including many young players from the underage section, while former St Mary’s players, managers and club legends also returned to celebrate.

“To see so many young boys and girls from underage teams out supporting the seniors was a very proud moment,” said Hurley.

Now Cork soccer has the final it could have scarcely scripted better.

Cobh Wanderers, revitalised after a difficult recent period, will face a St Mary’s side whose rise through the divisions has continued at remarkable pace.

“It should be a cracking game,” said Hurley. “Great to have an all-Cork final for the league and the county too.”