06/09/2026
F.A.I. Intermediate Cup semifinal result: Cobh Wanderers 1-1 Finglas United. A.E.T. F.T. 0-0. Scorer: Ciarán Griffin(pen 93).
Wanderers won 4-3 on penalties.
Team: Mark Power, Dave Curran(Captain), Sean Cummins, Adam O' Sullivan, Eoin Hastings(Niall Abbott 90), Alex Lynch, George Keating(Jamie Burns 105)(Alan O' Flynn 120), Evan Cummins, Ciarán Griffin, Domagoj Mikleusevic(James Stoat H/T), Oisín Dorgan(Kyle Downing 113).
The club has another crack at creating a bit of history in a couple of weeks’ time when we face St. Mary's in the Intermediate Cup Final having come through a mammoth semi-final against Finglas United yesterday. Nine years on from our only previous appearance at the final under Michael Deasy, we will return to the showpiece event of the amateur game in Ireland. The journey to the final started last season at the end of March with a 3-0 win away to Everton. Two goals from George Keating and one from Ciarán Griffin saw Wanderers through comfortably to the next round where the draw brought the first of four Dublin teams in a row, Skerries Town, to Old Church Park on the 18th April. Ciarán Griffin and Oisín Dorgan goals gave us a 2-0 win and a meeting with Wayside Celtic on the 23rd May in the final cup match of last season under the stewardship of Stephen Henderson. A cracking game saw up come from 3-2 down at half time to win 4-3 thanks to a last minute goal from Ciarán Griffin. Dorgan, Charlie Sillett and Nathan O' Connell provided the other goals. Into this season and under new manager Jason Abbott we were pitted against Cup favourites Malahide United in the quarterfinal on the 22nd August. Ciarán Griffin was again on hand to score the only goal of the game three minutes into the second half. The last of the Dublin opposition in the four-in-a-row came in the form of Finglas United yesterday. Again, great praise must go to everyone involved in the preparation of the venue for the game. Old Church Park was in immaculate condition for the big game. This meticulous preparation was mirrored by Jason Abbott and his coaching staff in getting the squad ready for such a huge occasion. A tentative first half by the Wanderers was followed by a superb second half performance with George Keating and Ciarán Griffin showing the spirit and determination that can give any team the extra percentage needed to win at this level. The second half endeavours from both sides failed to produce a goal and the tie entered extra time. A deliberate handball preventing a goal saw Finglas reduced to ten and Griffin gave Wanderers the lead from the resulting spot kick three minutes into the first period. The game looked over and won but a mix up at the back allowed the Finglas striker to toe-poke the ball past Power and creep just inside the post for the equaliser that sent the contingent from the capital fairly wild. The shoot-out saw Mark Power in fine form as he dived to save two of the five spot kicks while Evan Cummins stepped up to put away Wanderers fourth of five and seal the deal. A great achievement by the management and squad helped once again by a fantastic local support who made this occasion so memorable for everyone.
