St Patrick's Athletic captain Joe Redmond is looking forward to a date at the Aviva Stadium, after the Inchicore side booked their place in the FAI Cup final.
Jon Daly's side were 2-0 winners over Cork City at Turner's Cross on Sunday afternoon, with a first half goal from Mark Doyle being followed up by a fine half-volley from substitute Conor Carty in the closing stages of the game.
Dublin rivals Bohemians lie in wait for the 12 November showpiece, in what will be a repeat of the 2021 final, which the Saints won on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Speaking to RTÉ after the victory on Sunday, Redmond summed up the mood in the camp after a hard-earned win.
"I'm buzzin' for the club and I'm buzzin' for everyone involved..."
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2023
Pat's captain and Man of the Match Joe Redmond has been talking to @ValerieWheeler_ #RTEsoccer #FAICup
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"All credit to Cork, they really put it up to us today," said the 23-year-old. "It was a shift out there, even the subs that came on, we all put in a huge graft and we'll be going up the road a happy team.
"Look at Conor (Carty), he's had to wait for his opportunity today and he's come on, ran the channel and been excellent. That finish tops it off.
"I'm buzzing for him, I'm buzzing for the club, I'm buzzing for everyone involved today. I'm really looking forward to getting to the Aviva now.
"It means a lot. I can't wait to lead the boys out there. I've said it before, there are a lot of us in there and we all drive the team on and I can't wait. It's going to be a great opportunity and we'll be ready for it."
And that, surely, is that. What a finish from Conor Carthy on the half-volley. It's looking like an all-Dublin Cup final... 2-0 Pat's.#RTEsoccer #FAICup
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2023
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It will be a busy end of the season for St Pat's, as they are still mathematically involved in a title race in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, sitting six point behind leaders Shamrock Rovers with four games to play.
Whatever happens there, they are in a strong position to at least achieve European football through the league, and a second FAI Cup triumph in three years would be the icing on the cake.
