Shamrock Rovers needed 120 minutes to overcome Cork City 4-1 in the FAI Cup second round, setting up a third-round clash. The defending champions, currently 1st in the League of Ireland Premier with 66 points (19W-9D-8L), showed resilience after a recent slump (1W-0D-4L in their last five).
What happened in the match?
Naj Razi’s stunning strike gave Rovers the lead early in the second half, but Ruairi Keating’s penalty levelled the score. Extra time saw John McGovern score twice, including a penalty, before Max Kovalevskis sealed the 4-1 win. Enda Stevens, the 36-year-old veteran, played a key role with an assist for Razi’s goal.
Why this win matters for Rovers
Despite their recent struggles (four losses in five games, including a 0-1 defeat to Derry City on 31 Jan 2026), this victory keeps them on track for a potential double. With 56 goals scored and 33 conceded this season, they remain 3 points clear at the top of the league.
What’s next for Shamrock Rovers?
The team now awaits the FAI Cup third-round draw, live on RTÉ Radio 1 next Tuesday. Manager Stephen Bradley will hope this win boosts confidence ahead of their next league fixture.
Shamrock Rovers lineup: McGinty; Sobowale (Asamoah 64), Lopes (Grace 46), Stevens; Kovalevskis, Razi, Healy (O’Sullivan 76), Barrett (Brennan 77), O’Regan; Greene (Byrne 91), Noonan (McGovern 76).
