We have a Shamrock Rovers v Cork City prediction for you, plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of Sunday’s FAI Cup Final.
Shamrock Rovers head into this as Premier Division Champions and in search of their first Domestic Double since the 1986-87 season and their first FAI Cup since 2019.
Cork City have been relegated back to the First Division for the 2026 season following their bottom of the half finish, but will look to find solace in the FAI Cup and land their first FAI Cup since 2017.
Betting Odds
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City FAI Cup Betting Odds
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Shamrock Rovers | 1/2 | 66.7% |
Cork City | 4/1 | 20% |
Draw | 3/1 | 25% |
Shamrock Rovers are strong favourites ahead of Sunday’s Final at odds of 1/2 to win in 90 minutes. If you fancy Cork City to end their dismal season on a high, they can be gotten at odds of 4/1 to win in 90 minutes, and the draw can be backed at odds of 3/1 in 90 minutes.
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Who Will Win The FAI Cup Final?
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Handicap Betting
Shamrock Rovers: -1 - 7/5
Cork City +1 – 6/4
Handicap Draw +1 @ 13/5
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
How To Watch
How To Watch Shamrock Rovers v Cork City
This match kicks off on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in the Aviva Stadium
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Preview
Shamrock Rovers Form Guide
Shamrock Rovers Form Guide
Rovers secured the fifth Premier Division title in six seasons with a 1-0 victory over Galway United a little over a week ago, and continued their European exploits with a more than credible 1-1 draw away to AEK Athens on Thursday Night, made all the more impressive by Stephen Bradley rotating heavily throughout.
Second Round – Shamrock Rovers 4-0 Wexford
Third Round –Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Longford Town
Quarter Final – Drogheda United 1-1 AET (4-5p) Shelbourne
Semi Final – Shamrock Rovers 6-1 Kerry FC
While Shamrock Rovers have been dominated in the Premier Division and blazed a trail in Europe, they’ve underperformed considerably in the FAI Cup, with their 2019 penalty triumph over Dundalk their sole success since the 1986-87 season.
The Tallaght outfit has by far the strongest squad on the island and could arguably field two starting eleven’s which would go into this final as favourites, but a particular mention will have to go to LB Josh Honohan and CM Matt Healy, who will both be playing their former club on Sunday.
Shamrock Rovers’ Last Five Results
AEK Athens 1-1 Shamrock Rovers | November 6th | Draw
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sligo Rovers | November 1st | Loss
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Galway United | October 29th | Win
Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers | October 26th | Loss
Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Celje | October 23rd | Loss
1 Win, 1 Draw and 3 Losses
Cork City Form Guide
Cork City’s Form Guide
It’s been a miserable season for Cork City, managerial changes, squad upheaval and injuries culminated in another relegation to the First Division with their 24-point tally from 36 matches meaning they finished rock bottom and 15 points back of Munster Rivals Waterford who ended in the season in the relegation playoff places.
Second Round –Cork City 3-0 Leicester Celtic
Third Round –Cork City 2-1 Waterford
Quarter Final – Finn Harps 0-3 Cork City
Semi Final – Cork City 3-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Despite heading into Sunday’s Final as big underdogs Cork City actually have a more consistent recent history in the competition since the turn of the 2000s they won the competition in 2007, 2016 and 2017 as well as finishing runners-up in 2005, 2015 and in 2018.
There remains quality in this Cork City side which can hurt Shamrock Rovers, Evan McLaughlin, Sean Maguire, Matthew Murray and maybe even a certain Ruairi Keating off the bench means the Rebel Army faithful will retain hope of an upset on Sunday.
Cork City’s Last Five Results
Cork City 0-1 Derry City | November 1st | Loss
Cork City 1-1 Sligo Rovers | October 25th | Draw
Drogheda 1-0 Cork City | October 17th | Loss
Cork City 1-2 Shelbourne | October 13th | Loss
Cork City 3-0 St Patrick’s Athletic | October 3rd | Win
1 Win, 1 Draw and 3 Losses
Predicted Line Ups
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Predicted Lineups
Shamrock Rovers Predicted Starting XI(3-5-2)
GK: Areola
RCB: Cleary, CB: Lopes, LCB: Grace
RM: Grant, CM: Nugent, CM: Healy, CM: Watts, LM: Honohan
CF: Burke, CF: Gaffney
Cork City Predicted Starting XI (5-4-1)
GK: Brann
RB: Crowley, RCB: Anderson, CB: Kelleher, LCB: Feely, LB: Kiernan
RM Fitzpatrick, CM: McLaughlin, CM: Bolger, LM: Murray
CF: Maguire
Head-To-Head
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Head-To-Head Results & Stats
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Shamrock Rovers wins: 19
Cork City wins: 10
Draws: 13
Head-To-Head Last Five Results
Cork City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers | Premier Division | March 10th, 2025
Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Cork City | Premier Division | June 20th, 2025
Cork City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers | Premier Division | May 2nd, 2025
Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Cork City | Premier League | April 14th, 2025
Cork City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers | Premier Division | October 30th, 2023
Key Players To Watch
Key Players To Watch
Graham Burke - Shamrock Rovers
In a Shamrock Rovers side riddled with talent, there are few, if any, who stand above former Ireland International Graham Burke, who is the current top scorer in the competition with 5 goals from his 4 matches. Though some would argue that he should miss this game through suspension following a controversial yellow card decision in the semi against Kerry, he will play and could hurt this City side.
Graham Burke you’re a lucky, lucky man pic.twitter.com/KyF0krZEjv https://t.co/bxpA6YcDyH
— IFB Media (@IFBMedia) October 5, 2025
Evan McLaughlin - Cork City
Magic Man Evan McLaughlin has been the glimmer of light in what has been a poor season for Cork City. If others had replicated anything close to his 7 goals and 4 assists from midfield across 33 games, maybe it could’ve been a better season for the club. Nevertheless, his 4 goals and 2 assists in 4 FAI Cup games arguably make him the Player of the Competition, and you’d be foolish to rule him out having his say on Sunday.
What a season it’s been for Evan McLaughlin!
— IFB Media (@IFBMedia) October 4, 2025
Last nights brace takes his FAI Cup tally to 4 Goals and 2 Assists in 4 Games.
In All Comps
29G
7 ⚽️
3 🅰️
A lovely little footballer with an exceptional work rate and superb technique.
He’ll have no shortage of suitors next month. pic.twitter.com/Dko9cOAy54
Prediction & Best Bet
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 0-1 Cork City
Shamrock Rovers are comfortable favourites for the final, and with good reason; they’ve 22, maybe more players who would start for their opponents.
Cork City and the FAI Cup have a storied history, and this competition heads into this final with nobody expecting them to land a glove on their opponents.
These sides may sit on opposite ends of the table, but Cork City have a far more consistent record historically in this competition, and they may just scrape a shock on Sunday.
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City Tips
Cork City To Lift Trophy @ 14/5
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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