FAI Carlsberg Cup SEMI-FINAL 2002: Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, 8 March 2002 matchday programme — Oriel Park; the semi-final of the cup Dundalk went on to win

Official programme for Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, FAI CARLSBERG CUP SEMI-FINAL, Oriel Park, Friday 8 March 2002, kick-off 7.35pm.

CENTRALLY PUBLISHED: the cover is the FAI's own — a green field-of-play photograph, the FAI Carlsberg Cup device carrying the Association crest, and no club branding at all.

Dundalk won the FAI Cup that year, so this is the semi-final of the run that ended a fourteen-year drought. Programme editor Kieran Lawless opens: 'With a combined total of no less than thirty-two FAI Cup wins between them, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers are undoubtedly the kings of Irish cup football' — conceding Rovers' twenty-four to Dundalk's eight, and noting that a meeting of 'the two most successful sides in the competition's eighty year history' is always eagerly anticipated. He records that Dundalk's last final was the 1993 defeat by Shelbourne and Rovers' the 1991 loss to Johnny Glynn's late goal for Galway, and is candid about the previous season's humiliation, 'going out to non-League Portmarnock in the third round'.

The facing feature is a delight for collectors: reproductions of historic FAI Cup semi-final programme covers, including a Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers issue at twopence carrying its own lottery — 'DON'T THROW THIS PROGRAMME AWAY! First Prize £1, Second Prize 10/-, Third Prize 5/-' — and a 1961 Waterford v Drumcondra souvenir at a shilling.

The club panel is headed in both languages, 'Dundalk Football Club / Cumann Peil Dún Dealgan'.

Author: Football Association of Ireland (FAI)/Dundalk Football Club

Publisher: Football Association of Ireland (FAI)/Dundalk Football Club

Publication Date: 2002

Binding: Single Issue Magazine

Condition: Used - Very Good