Redmond looking forward to leading Pats in FAI Cup final

ANTICIPATION builds this weekend as Inchicore’s St Patricks Athletic take on Phibsborough’s Bohemians FC in a highly anticipated FAI Cup final reports Rory Merriman.

The Gypsies will be looking to bridge a 14-year-gap since their last FAI cup success on Sunday afternoon, when they take on St Patrick’s Athletic at the Aviva Stadium.

Following a stellar league campaign culminating in a well-deserved third place, Jon Daly’s Saints coveted themselves a ticket to European football next season.

“I’m just really looking forward to the game day to be honest. I’m focused on Sunday and getting going with the atmosphere, that’ll be electric from both sets of fans,” says St Pat’s captain Joe Redmond.

The Tallaght centre back spoke of his upbringing in Kilnamanagh as a Pat’s supporter, with an affinity to the club following his cousin and former Saints midfielder Stephen Quinn.

“It was quite difficult.

“When Tallaght Stadium was built a lot of people started going to the games when I was obviously going to Richmond Park.

“A lot of lads in school would have the Rovers jersey and stuff.

“It never really crossed my mind not to support Pats.”

Following a 16-game absence due to injury, Redmond returned just in time for St. Pats FAI cup opener away to Longford where they defeated Longford Town 2-0.

“I loved going to games with my brother, I used to go to the summer camps and all, it was great and there’s such a homely feeling at the club.

“It’s a great opportunity for us all, but to be leading the lads out on Sunday is incredible.

“It’s a privilege to be captain of this club.”

The 23-year-old told The Echo. All Pats’ cup fixtures saw challenging away journeys to Derry City, to Donegal against Finn Harps and most recently down south where they beat Cork City in Turners cross.

“Looking back on that Longford game when I first came back, that was the start of the cup run and it feels like a lifetime ago now with everything we had to do and everywhere we had to travel before that.

“At the start of the season our goal was to make sure we had European football boxed off because that’s the minimum standard you require to be a Pat’s player, so now winning the FAI cup final would be the cherry on top,” he added.

Facing Redmond on Sunday evening for Bohemians will be fellow Tallaght native and League of Ireland golden boot winner Jonathan Afolabi alongside Lucan born winger, Danny Grant.

Boasting 15 league goals this season, Afolabi will have his work cut out for him up front against Joe Redmond and Saints player of the year, Dean Lyness in nets.

Following a short stint in Huddersfield Town, Danny Grant was released by the Club in May 2023, soon snatched up by Bohemians shortly after.

St. Patrick’s Athletics’ talisman Chris Forrester’s clash with Gypsie captain Keith Buckley in midfield will be one of the many match ups to watch this weekend.

At just 17 years of age, Sam Curtis will assist Redmond in taming the dangerman who is Jonathan Afolabi from the right back position.

Bohs welcomed Shelbourne FC and Cork’s Rockmount FC to Dalymount park along their FAI Cup campaign, followed by successful trips to Drogheda and Galway on their route to the final this weekend.

St. Patricks Athletic have won two of their last three encounters with Bohemians this season 3-2 and 2-0, but it all comes down to Sunday.

While 37,000 fans have already bought their tickets to the Aviva Stadium, the Dublin 8 captain reveals,” that’s [The fans] who we’re doing it for and competing for silverware.

“It’s why we all play football I suppose.”

In England, the FA Cup has diminished in significance, posing as a mere interruption to league and European football for larger clubs.

Manchester City often struggle to fill their stadium on cup days while Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp faces constant criticism for fielding weaker sides.

In Ireland, the FAI cup retains a revered status among League of Ireland fans, esteemed as the ‘pièce de résistance’ of Irish football.

Thousands of enthusiasts across the country will eagerly tune in to witness what is the zenith of the countries football.

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