On the 8th November 2015, Dundalk FC set out to put the icing on the cake for the season by winning the double. After winning the League of Ireland by an impressive 11 points many would think that they would stroll through the final. Many apart for Cork City that is. Having finished behind Dundalk FC now for two seasons Cork were ready to see them off back home trophyless.
The day started with a very unwelcome sight of heavy rain hitting off everyones bedroom windows. I’d say there was only one man in Dundalk that was happy to see rain on match day. But I doubt his well known slogan of “Get off me pitch!” would have any affect on anyone in Aviva stadium compared to Oriel Park. Despite the rain over 10,000 kitted out Dundalk fans set off for their trains, buses or cars to get greet their team in Dublin.
I myself, like many others hopped on the train at Clarke Station. I’ve never seen such a congregation of people for a Sunday morning. The collection plate at the Redemptorists must have been very light. Though I’d say the legend Fr Cusack wouldn’t have minded. He probably secretly had his DFC jersey on under his liturgical vestments anyway.
The trains were full and everyone was in flying form. I’m not sure if that was from the approaching game or from the free bananas we got from Fyffes at the train station. Though I admit I was particularly chuffed with my free bananas. The train journey flew and in no time at all we were gazing up at the endless panes of glass that is the Aviva. Despite the rain still beating down everyone’s spirits couldn’t be dampened.
Our next mission was to find a pub close by to claim as our own for the day. The Bath Pub. Now I didn’t get to see much of the pub itself due to the masses of people that somehow managed to squeeze in. Just keeping focused on the typical hand passing of my pint from the bar back to me hoping there wasn’t an interception from that Heineken ad from a few years ago. Having completed the pass we shuffled back out through the crowd to begin our DFC chants outside under the canopies.
After a few beverages we set off get our seats in the stadium and at this stage the persistent rain had stopped. Everything was coming together nicely. We set up camp three rows in from the pitch and were ready to watch DFC history hopefully be made. The atmosphere was electric. As the chances came and went for both sides we were becoming restless. Time quickly went by and all we could see was penalties on the horizon. But this wasn’t on King Kenny and his teams agenda. Richie Towell…0ne nil!
When Richie put the ball in the back of the net it was Halloween night all over again as the north stand lit up. With only 12 minutes left Cork gave one last big push and gave us a few heart stopping scares but it was too little too late for the Rebels as the whistle was blown sending the FAI Cup North to Dundalk.
