1977 FAI Cup Final

The 1977 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1976–77 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 1 May 1977 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Limerick. Dundalk won 2–0 to win the cup for the fifth time.

1977 FAI Cup Final
Event1976–77 FAI Cup
Dundalk Limerick
2 0
Date1 May 1977
VenueDalymount Park, Dublin
RefereeNoel Breen
Attendance14,000

Background

The two sides' two previous meetings that season had been in the League, with one win for Dundalk and a draw. Limerick had come off a poor 1976–77, finishing 12th in the League, but had won that season's Munster Senior Cup. They had won their most recent cup final in 1971. To reach the 1977 final they had overcome Sligo Rovers, Waterford, and Drogheda United.[1]

Defending league champions Dundalk had finished fifth, and were in their first FAI Cup final since winning in 1958. They had already won the Leinster Senior Cup that season.[2] To reach the final, they had defeated non-League Pegasus (2–1), Cork Celtic (1–0), and St Patrick's Athletic (1–0 in a replay, following a 1–1 draw).[3]

The match was not broadcast live. Highlights were shown that evening on the RTÉ show Sports Scene.

Match

Summary

Going into the match Dundalk were seen as strong favourites.[4] Limerick started the match strongly, however, creating a succession of chances – Limerick's Dave Kirby hitting the crossbar and Dundalk's Synan Braddish having to clear off the line with his head, with goalkeeper Richie Blackmore stranded. An injury to Limerick winger John Walsh in the 25th minute, which saw him withdrawn in the 31st, appeared to distract them, however. Dundalk took a 33rd-minute lead against the run of play, when player-manager Jim McLaughlin crossed for Terry Flanagan to tap home. Thereafter, Limerick lost their composure and the final was settled three minutes from time, when Flanagan headed home a Seamus McDowell corner.[5] The match was stopped briefly in the second half due to stone and bottle throwing by Limerick fans, but an intervention from Limerick manager Frankie Johnston cooled the situation.[6]

Details
Dundalk2–0[7]Limerick
Terry Flanagan  33', 87' Report
Attendance: 14,000[6][lower-alpha 1]
Referee: Noel Breen
Dundalk
Limerick
GK Richie Blackmore
RB Brian McConville
CB Tommy McConville
CB Jackie McManus (c)
LB Jim McLaughlin
RM Jimmy Dainty
CM Seamus McDowell
CM Synan Braddish
LM Tony Cavanagh
CF Terry Flanagan
CF Mick Lawlor
Substitutes:
N/A
Manager:
Jim McLaughlin
GK Kevin Fitzpatrick
RB John Herrick
CB Tony Fitzgerald (c)
CB Joe O'Mahoney
LB Pat Nolan
RM Dave Kirby
CM Tony Meaney
CM Eamonn Deacy
LM John Walsh 31'
CF Ger Duggan
CF Des Kennedy
Substitutes:
LB Denis Lymer 31'
Manager:
Frankie Johnston

Footnotes
  1. Official attendance from gate receipts. Other reports put attendance at 17,000.

References
Bibliography
  • Murphy, Jim (2003). The History of Dundalk F.C.: The First 100 Years. Dundalgan Press. ASIN B0042SO3R2.
  • MacSweeney, Niall (1985). A Record of League of Ireland Football 1921/2 - 1984/5. Association of Football Statisticians. ASIN B008H2CBJQ.
  • Ryan, Sean; Dunne, Noel (24 October 1975). The Bass Book of Irish Soccer. Mercier Press. ISBN 9780853424505.
  • Graham, Alex. Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
Citations
  1. MacSweeney, Niall (1985). A Record of League of Ireland Football 1921/2 - 1984/5. Association of Football Statisticians. ASIN B008H2CBJQ.
  2. Meagan, Jimmy (23 April 1977). "'Reject' Flanagan Has The Last Laugh". The Irish Press. Retrieved 24 May 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
  3. Murphy, Jim (2003). The History of Dundalk F.C.: The First 100 Years. Dundalgan Press. p. 295. ASIN B0042SO3R2.
  4. Rooney, Kieran (1 May 1977). "Dundalk can do it". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. Dunne, Noel (2 May 1977). "Flanagan smash and grab sinks Limerick". Irish Independent. p. 13.
  6. Moffat, Mel (2 May 1977). "Two-Goal Blitz Blasts Limerick". Irish Press. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  7. "Ireland FAI Cup (1921-1994)". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
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