A huge day ahead tomorrow for our MU17 side as they take on St. Patrick’s Athletic FC in this years Mark Farren Cup Final, and we have everything you need to know ahead of kick-off!
Mark Farren Cup Final
St. Patrick’s Athletic FC vs Waterford FC
Saturday 13th September 2025
The Carlisle Grounds, Bray
3:30pm
WATERFORD FC
The Blues head into their first Mark Farren Cup Final for the first time in eight years looking to pick up only their second-ever title after defeating Sligo Rovers FC 4-2 at the RSC in 2017.
The Blues have earned their passage to this years final having defeated Treaty United FC 4-1 in the opening round of the competition away from home, before being drawn away to Munster opposition in Cobh Ramblers FC in the quarter-final stage.
It was a tight game at St. Colman’s Park that ended with the Blues earning a 1-0 win thanks to Orion Cala’s second-half goal to give the Blues a semi-final spot that saw us face-off against an unbeaten UCD AFC side in August.
Orion Cala continued his cup scoring form by opening the scoring against the Students in the semi-final, before the visitors scored either side of half-time to take the lead. Bobby Keohan’s strike twenty minutes from time brought the game to extra-time, before substitute Ben Fahey headed home Gavin Mitchell’s delivery to send the Blues into this years final.
The Blues will look to make Saturday a day the remember with a historic win over the Saints in the Carlisle Grounds.
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FC
The Saints head into Saturday’s game on the back of an impressive domestic season to-date. Sitting top of the League of Ireland Academy MU17 Tier One table after six game with 15 points to their name, the Richmond Park outfit will look to continue that form against the Blues in Bray tomorrow afternoon.
In what is their thrid National Cup Final in as many years, St. Patrick’s Athletic will aim to end 2025 with a Mark Farren Cup Final to remember.
THOUGHTS FROM THE BLUES CAMP
Ahead of kick-off, we caught up with Waterford FC Academy Manager Mike Geoghegan, Head of Academy Performance Sean Geoghegan, and MU17 captain Gavin Mitchell to get their thoughts ahead of Saturday’s game:
Mike Geoghegan: “Its very exciting for the academy to have these type of big days out – rewarding players and staff for the hard work they put in over the year. It gives us a chance to showcase our players and to see how they match up against another top academy in St. Patrick’s Athletic FC. It would be great for the players to win on Saturday as it will build confidence for the future.”
Sean Geoghegan: “It’s very exciting for the academy as it showcases the progression in the last number of years and the level of talent in the academy. The things I am most happy about is seeing the mix of different age groups competing against some of the best players in the country. This group is a mixture of players from the 2008 (U17), 2009 (U16) and 2010 (U15) age groups with a number of 2010s such as Cormac Lowry, Joel Obeisie & Temmy Gazal making a massive contribution against players two years older than them.”
“Reaching this final also shows the level of great work that is happening from the coaches at all age groups throughout the academy. There has been an incredible amount of work put in again from all staff this season, reaching this final is a nice reward and is something that everyone should be proud of.”
Gavin Mitchell: “The whole squad is absolutely buzzing and raring to go come Saturday. We can’t wait to showcase how good we are infront of a big crowd. They’re are some nerves no doubt but we’re excited and come Saturday when the warm ups are done and it’s time to go then nerves will go and we will do our job on the pitch.”
“It would mean the absolute world for us to win come Saturday. We had a poor start to the season and to win the cup would be a feeling we would never forget. It would be a surreal feeling for the whole squad and staff, and we are gonna do everything in our power to win this game Saturday.”
MATCH TICKETS
Match tickets for Saturday’s Mark Farren Cup Final are now on sale. Adults tickets are priced at €5, while U12s tickets cost just €2 for entry at the Carlisle Grounds. Tickets can be bought by clicking HERE, or purchasing at the gate on matchday.
LOITV
Saturday’s Cup Final will also be broadcast live on LOITV from 3:15pm at the Carlisle Grounds for those supporters unable to make the journey up. Match passes are available to purchase on loitv.ie by clicking HERE.
Best of luck to everyone making the journey up to Bray on Saturday to back the Blues – we hope you enjoy the game!
