A Cork derby in the FAI Cup doesn’t need much introduction and this week’s first round fixture in St Colman’s Park really is one of the ties of the round.
Cork come into the game top of the First Division, a point clear of Galway United. Colin Healy’s men grounded out a 1-0 victory in Wexford last week to cement their position in first and will be eager to add a Cup run to their solid 2022 campaign to date. The Rams themselves are in fine form on the back of a 3-1 win over Bray and Monday’s 4-0 defeat of Rockmount in the Munster Cup semi-final.
These two rivals have met three times this year, with the Leesiders winning all three encounters. 2-0 and 1-0 victories in Turners Cross came either side of a 3-2 thriller here back in April. The Rams last win over their Cork counterparts came in 2021 as a Jake Hegarty goal secured the tie.
City are four time FAI Cup winners, most recently back in 2017. For Ramblers, 1983 saw the club’s longest run in the tournament, falling to Sligo at the semi-final stage. While the sides have met in both League Cup and Munster Cup action of late, today’s fixture is a truly special one in what is Ramblers’ centenary year.
Cobh will be without goalkeeper Sean Barron while midfielder Pierce Phillips remains a fitness concern.
Manager Shane Keegan spoke about the encounter earlier after a promising few days for the club,
“It’s been a great week. 20 different players started between the two games with no goals conceded from open play. Everybody has a smile on their face heading into this huge game on Sunday. You could argue it’s our biggest game of the season.
There’s no doubt that they’ll be favourites. But it is a cup game and there’s a bit more on the line. It’s an opportunity to knock a rival out and that has to be an incentive. Players feel they have a point to prove which will hopefully work in our favour.
The lads have gone close to City in the games so far and that will give us confidence. The self-belief is there, while recognising that we are against a very good side.”
Kick-off on Sunday afternoon is at 16:00 with the game being shown live on LOITV here.
Tickets are available to purchase in advance here. Away supporters must purchase their tickets in advance ahead of the game.
