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Match Preview | FAI 2021/22 Centenary Intermediate Cup finalRockmount v Bluebell United

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Rockmount and Bluebell United go head-to-head for the FAI 2021/22 Centenary Intermediate Cup at Turners Cross. 

Match Details

Fixture: Rockmount v Bluebell United
Competition: FAI 2021/22 Centenary Intermediate Cup Final
Location: Turners Cross, Cork
Date: Saturday, May 14
Kick-off: 2pm

Tickets

Tickets will be available on the gate for cash or card at Turners Cross on the day of the game. Prices are: €10 Adults, €5 Concessions, U16 FREE. 

Match Programme

A special edition 16-page programme is now available to download for FREE. It features interviews with both clubs, past winners and the squad lists for the match. Download the e-programme here

Live Coverage

The FAI 2021/22 Centenary Intermediate Cup final will be streamed live on FAI TV with the live coverage set to begin at 1.45pm. Head to official FAI TV YouTube channel here.

Match Officials

Referee: Alan McDonagh 
Assistant 1: Robert O’Leary 
Assistant 2: Darren O’Sullivan 
Fourth Official: Edwin McNally

Pre-match Interviews

FAI TV spoke to the managers and captains of both teams ahead of the Intermediate Cup final. Watch the interviews on FAI TV below.

Rockmount manager Eddie Kenny: WATCH
Rockmount captain Ken Hoey: WATCH
Bluebell United manager Shane Dolan: WATCH
Bluebell United captain Tayem Dinamumenga: WATCH

The Managers

What he said – Rockmount manager Eddie Kenny

“It is a huge day for the club, if we go back to 1999, I was only a schoolboy with the club but it really galvanised the club for the next decade and the club went on to win the trophy on three occasions then so this could be the start of something for the club.

“The intermediate cup is a huge occasion but it is still a game which has to be won. There is pressure on every match to win it but to be fair to the club, there has been no pressure from within to have to ‘do a, b or c’. We’ve got to the final… now we have to go and win it.

“Whether we come second or knocked out in the first round, you get exactly the same prize, which is nothing. Now, we’re in the final, it is up to us to go and win it.

“It is great that the match is down at the Cross but the pitch is always the same whether we play, the same dimensions and all that. Look, it will be nice that the lads are all sleeping in their own beds the night before and we can control what we can control. Hopefully we’ll get a good bit of backing and give the supporters who turn up something to be proud of.”

What he said – Bluebell United manager Shane Dolan 

“It’s great and I’m delighted for everybody associated with the club, not just the players but we’ve got a trusty band of volunteers who have put their heart and soul into the club and they deserve the recognition for their work ahead of a big day like this,” said Dolan.

“The semi-final was a bit of a strange one really because we were largely kind of favourites going into the game playing a team who were two leagues below but we knew how dangerous they could be. We took our chances on the day but it was a tense affair. The supporters really got behind it and made it a different experience which was great for the players.

“It is my first year in management and of course we played Rockmount recently so I was asking some friends in the game, people I know with a bit of experience, looking for a bit of advice because we didn’t want to give too much away really.

“In terms of the final, I know Rockmount will be a different animal and so will we, so I don’t image that match to have any bearing. It is a cup game, a final, so the only thing that matters on the day is getting that trophy. The performances go out of the window, all that matters is we leave everything out there and we’ll be proud of the players no matter what.”

The Captains

What he said – Rockmount captain Ken Hoey 

“Since we’ve got out of the semis, there has been a real buzz about the place since getting into the final and we’re really looking forward to getting into it now,” said Hoey.

“I’ll probably the most experienced player on the pitch on the day and sure, experience is important but you can only say so much to these young players really.

“They just need to go out there and do it themselves. But look, I’ll be trying to give as much into it as I can, the build-up especially but I’m sure on the day, the lads will do their thing.

“They’ve really started to stand up to the mark to be fair to them. Great development over the year but I’ll be making sure they know the importance of the occasion and that days like this might not come along that often so take advantage.

“The Munster Senior League will get behind it, without a doubt. Hopefully we can do it for ourselves. I don’t want to focus on Bluebell, I’ve played them before twice in finals. Look, they’ll do their thing and we’ll do our thing and we’ll see who comes out on top on the day.”

What he said – Bluebell United captain Tayem Dinamumenga

“This season has been an incredible journey and from where we started this season to where we are now, going into a national final, is an incredible achievement from the entire squad.

“We’re also really aware of how important it is for the club and the community to reach the final after a few years and what a lift it gives everyone so we want to make it a special occasion for everyone at the club.

“For a lot of the players in our club, they’re quite new players and new players to Leinster Senior football as well, so to get to this level is a huge achievement and it is probably the biggest occasion in their career so far.

“Football has taught me a lot about life and I think this season has taught a lot of the players a lot about life, about persevering in the tough times. We had to dig deep, especially in pre-season, we dug deep during the Christmas period as well. A lot of hard work on the training pitch, off the ball, building that hunger and desire.

“From the level we’ve come from to now, it is absolutely tremendous. We’ve build the mental character and toughness we’ve what we’ve gone through to prepare for what we need to do today. We need to leave everything on the line, give 100% and we’ll come away with the victory if we do that.”

Rockmount – Route to the Final 

Round 1: UCC 1 – 2 Rockmount AFC
Round 2: Rockmount AFC 3 – 0 Innishvilla AFC
Round 3: College Corinthians AFC 0 – 3 Rockmount AFC
Round 4: Inchicore Athletic AFC 1 – 2 Rockmount AFC
Quarter-Final: Rockmount AFC 1 – 0 Bonagee United FC
Semi-Final: Rockmount 3 – 1 Maynooth University Town FC

Bluebell United – Route to the Final

Round 1: BYE
Round 2: Bluebell United 4 – 3 Swords Celtic
Round 3: Bluebell United 5 – 0 Larkview Boys FC
Round 4: Bluebell United 3 – 1 Usher Celtic
Quarter-Finals: Bluebell United 3 – 1 Cockhill Celtic
Semi-Finals: Bluebell United 2 – 0 St. Francis FC

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