St Patrick's Athletic will hoping to win their second Sports Direct FAI Cup in three years after seeing off Cork City at Turners Cross this afternoon.
Mark Doyle and Conor Carty got a goal each in either half as the Super Saints came away with a 2-0 victory which sets up a meeting against Bohemians, coincidentally the side they beat in the final two years ago.
On an unusually warm October afternoon, City were arguably the better side in the first half but couldn't force the ball home, despite plenty of possession either side of Doyle's opener.
The second half was more even as Pat's slowed the play down and the goal that sealed it for them would come after both managers had emptied their benches.
The Inchicore side still have a very slim chance of the double, but most supporters by the bank of the Camac would be happy to have European qualification in the bag before next month's showpiece at the Aviva Stadium.
"The international break will give our squad an opportunity to recuperate."
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2023
It's a busy time ahead for St Patrick's Athletic, as manager Jon Daly tells @ValerieWheeler_ #RTEsoccer #FAICup pic.twitter.com/EmURh9QeCa
For their manager Jon Daly it was a nervy second half before Carty's brilliant finish.
"The second goal makes it that little but less stressful towards the end," he told RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"As long as it's [only] 1-0 they're still in the game. I thought the lads defended magnificently and then it's an unbelievable strike from Conor to seal it.
"It's a great day for the club and we've had to do it the hard way, travelling all over the country to get ourselves to a final so we're looking forward to it."
It was a hot day in Cork with Daly making use of all five possible substitutions. He admitted afterwards that some of his players missed out due to them carrying an illness.
"We had Adam Murphy struggling with illness overnight, that's why he didn't play. Chris Forrester's got a sore throat as well.
"The international break now gives them time to rest and recoperate and go again. It gives you something to look forward to.
"Credit to Cork, a fantastic club as well. They packed out Turners Cross and made it difficult. I wish them all the best, I hope they stay up. It's a fantastic club to have in the top division."
Music to the ears of the Waterford, Cobh and Wexford squads, who will be battling for the right to face City in the promotion/relegation play-off next month.
"This is one of the biggest clubs in the country. We can't go down."
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2023
Cork manager Richie Holland is in no doubt how important Premier Division survival is for the Leesiders.#RTEsoccer #FAICup pic.twitter.com/YLpz7ni2Br
But it was a sentiment echoed by Cork manager Richie Holland.
"I just spoke to the players inside and we need to use this disappointment as a motivator," he said.
"Cork City needs to stay in this league. You see it today with the fans and atmosphere here; this is one of the biggest clubs in the country.
"We can't go down. We need to work hard every day for the rest of the season and put on a big performance when we do come to the big games."
Reflecting on the defeat to the Saints, he added: "It was just a few moments in the game that cost us. It's come from basic errors from throw ins.
"When you give good players opportunities they're going to punish you. That's what Pat's have done today. Overall there wasn't much in the game.
"We've created more than enough today to score and we haven't done it, so it's disappointing that way. The lads worked hard all the way through the game and showed good application.
"It was just that final bit that caught us today."
