FAI Cup final: Time, channel, team news

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Fai Cup Final: Time, Channel, Team News
Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk meet in the FAI Cup final this evening.
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James Cox

The FAI Cup final takes place this evening as Shamrock Rovers look to complete a double against rivals Dundalk.

Rovers beat Dundalk on penalties to claim the FAI Cup last season, their first triumph in the tournament since 1987.

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Here's everything you need to know about the big game.

Where is the game and what time is kick-off?

The game takes place at the Aviva Stadium with a 6.40pm kick-off.

Where can I watch it?

RTÉ 2 will show the game with coverage starting at 6pm following the All-Ireland Senior Football Championships semi-final clash between Tipperary and Mayo.

What's at stake?

For Rovers, victory would complete a first league and cup double since 1987 while they would also finish a domestic campaign unbeaten for the first time since 1925.

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It has been a crazy season for Dundalk with a lacklustre defence of the league followed up by Europa League qualification under Italian manager Filippo Giovagnoli.

The Lilywhites face huge uncertainty after a period of huge success which has included five of the last seven league titles.

They have 18 players out of contract next week, so they'll be eager to prove a point with an FAI Cup win.

Odds

Shamrock Rovers win: 10/11

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Dundalk win: 13/5

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Oriel Park, Cambrickville, Dundalk, Co. Louth 27/9/2020 Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers Dundalk's Cameron Dummigan and Graham Burke of Shamrock Rovers ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Team news 

Shamrock Rovers: Stephen Bradley will be without Gary O'Neill due to injury but apart from that he has a full squad to choose from. Greg Bolger has returned from injury while Roberto Lopes has been cleared to play after it was revealed he was a close contact of a Covid-19 case last week.

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Dundalk: Pat Hoban is out with an ankle injury, Filippo Giovagnoli has a full squad other than that.

What they say

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley: “I think it’s a chance to go and lift a trophy for the fans who haven’t been able to be in the grounds this year.

“It’s a chance to go and give them their little reward and thanks for being there with us behind the scenes and everything they’ve done for the club in these tough times. So it’s a chance for us to go and repay them.”

Shane Keegan [Dundalk opposition analyst]:"If we don't do better on Sunday [than Thursday's 3-0 Europa League loss to Molde], we won’t win the game. Looking at the goals we conceded, how do we better to stop the cross? How do we do better when the cross comes in? The players need to show more desire to get their head on the ball. They know that, I’m not speaking out of turn here, they’ve already spoken about it in the dressing room."

 

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