A second-half goal from Podge Gregg decided the FAI Cup Final of 1945. Shamrock Rovers beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park, on a Sunday afternoon in April.
Last December, the FAI published details of a 29% increase in attendance in the 2022 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division. A full review of the attendance figures for 2023 will be revealed in due course. The indications are that the upward trajectory will continue.Notably League of Ireland clubs have proactively marketed their product to a younger demographic on social media.
The ability of the supporter to identify with the player is an integral part of the appeal. Clearly, that dynamic is also in play at League of Ireland level. Despite the unlikely pairing of first-division Bray Wanderers and St Francis, of the Leinster Senior League, the final drew a crowd close to 30,000.
Ex-Sligo Rovers man and current national team captain Séamus Coleman deserves an honourable mention, and so too does James McClean, formerly of Derry City.For the Republic of Ireland, the back door option of a Euro 2024 play-off next March has all but closed. "We're a county steeped in gaelic games history, we never doubt that but it's great to have a senior soccer team in the county"They conceded 91 goals and scored 28, in a 36-game season, a goal difference of -62.
"For a new team, coming into the league, it was a blind test. A lot of our players came from the academy and Under 19's.""As the season went on, and into the summer months, we saw a lot more children coming to the games.