Jon Daly hopeful long road will bring FAI Cup success to St Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's Athletic will hoping to win their second Sports Direct FAI Cup in three years after seeing off Cork City at Turners Cross this afternoon.

Mark Doyle and Conor Carty got a goal each in either half as the Super Saints came away with a 2-0 victory which sets up a meeting against Bohemians, coincidentally the side they beat in the final two years ago.

On an unusually warm October afternoon, City were arguably the better side in the first half but couldn't force the ball home, despite plenty of possession either side of Doyle's opener.

The second half was more even as Pat's slowed the play down and the goal that sealed it for them would come after both managers had emptied their benches.

The Inchicore side still have a very slim chance of the double, but most supporters by the bank of the Camac would be happy to have European qualification in the bag before next month's showpiece at the Aviva Stadium.

"The international break will give our squad an opportunity to recuperate."
It's a busy time ahead for St Patrick's Athletic, as manager Jon Daly tells @ValerieWheeler_ #RTEsoccer #FAICup pic.twitter.com/EmURh9QeCa

For their manager Jon Daly it was a nervy second half before Carty's brilliant finish.

"The second goal makes it that little but less stressful towards the end," he told RTÉ Sport afterwards.

"As long as it's [only] 1-0 they're still in the game. I thought the lads defended magnificently and then it's an unbelievable strike from Conor to seal it.

"It's a great day for the club and we've had to do it the hard way, travelling all over the country to get ourselves to a final so we're looking forward to it."

It was a hot day in Cork with Daly making use of all five possible substitutions. He admitted afterwards that