PREVIEW: Bohemians v St Patrick’s Athletic

Bohemians v Shelbourne - Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round

Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup final
Sunday November 12 2023, 3pm, Aviva Stadium

Declan Devine has said his side are determined to give a performance in today’s sold-out Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup final that will live long in the memory of every Bohemian.

Devine said: “The FAI Cup final is the pinnacle of every player, coach and manager’s career and we as a backroom team, squad and club are absolutely delighted to be participating in the this year’s showcase event.

“Every coach, player and club watch on every year in the hope that they can be the next team to reach this fantastic occasion. Since the move to the Aviva Stadium in 2010, the FAI Cup final has taken on even more prestige and this magnificent stage has become a very fitting home for the biggest day in the Irish football calendar.

“Today will be my fifth FAI Cup final and having played in one in Dalymount Park, been a coach in both the old Lansdowne Rd and RDS, and having managed in the Aviva in 2012, it is very much an appropriate venue for Irish football to give the talent in our league the opportunity to perform in the elite stadium their talents deserves.

“The FAI Cup final is a day for family, friends, supporters old and new to attend a game that by the end has the potential to be a day to be remembered for the rest of their lives.

“The difference in winning and losing can be a very fine margin and again it’s a game of football to be treated with the utmost respect.

“As a team we have had to work extremely hard to make it this far and hope that today we can perform to our highest levels in pursuit of finishing the job off against a very good St Patrick’s Athletic side.

“The squad, which we have assembled in the last 12 months, have been an absolute pleasure to work with.

“I feel our squad have prepared for the game really well and have shown a great desire to embrace the opportunity to bridge a 15-year wait for a major trophy to fill the cabinets of Dalymount Park again.

“I would like to thank an incredible backroom team for everything they have given the club over the last 12 months. Gary Cronin, Derek Pender, Chris Bennion, Martin Doyle, Graham Norton, Colly O Connor, Sinead Wixted, Fiona Dennehy and Aaron Fitzsimmons bring so much quality, expertise and knowledge and, of course, with Pat Fenlon as Director of Football I feel the club is in an outstanding place to achieve success.

“Bohemian Football Club is a club with an amazing history and has seen an incredible growth over recent years and today is testimony to the people behind the scenes who helped the club survive over its recent past to see the club back at this pinnacle of Irish football.

“We have obviously suffered a heartbreaking setback in losing our inspirational club captain Keith Buckley to injury over recent weeks and as hard as today will be without Bucko, it is also an opportunity for us as a group to give him a huge lift in his recovery to be able to lift a trophy at the end of today’s game.

“Another player who misses out today is Kacper Radowski due to his sending-off in our semi-final win against Galway United. Kacper has been fantastic for us this season and again as a group we would love nothing more than to see him with a winners medal around his neck this afternoon.

“Over recent years, the club has lost many valuable friends, colleagues and supporters and today we remember every single Bohemian who has passed away and who won’t be in attendance in body but hopefully they are here in spirit. Today these people are also very much in our thoughts.

“Finally, a massive thanks to our incredible supporters that have followed us throughout Ireland in huge numbers over the last 10 months. We could never have got here today without your help and backing. Hopefully we can give you a performance today that will live long in the memory of every Bohemian.”

Team news

Keith Buckley (knee) is out and Kacper Radkowski is suspended.

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