2007 FAI Cup Final The 2007 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 2007 FAI Cup, the national association football cup of the Republic of Ireland. Cork City and Longford Town contested the final, which was played at the RDS Arena in Dublin as Lansdowne Road, the usual venue for the final, was under re-development. Much of the build-up to the game was dominated by the events at Cork City, where many of the squad were out of contract and were seemingly not going to be offered new deals. Cork won the game 1-0 by virtue of a goal from Denis Behan. Despite his side's victory, Cork manager Damien Richardson left the club a few weeks later and was replaced by Longford manager Alan Mathews. Route to the final Both clubs entered the competition at the second round, alongside all of the other League of Ireland clubs, and completed four ties before reaching the final. Cork City played solely League of Ireland opposition, whereas Longford Town were drawn against two non-league sides. Cork City Cork City began the competition against First Division side Shelbourne. Cork City won the game 1-0; Roy O'Donovan's penalty in the 8th minute being the only goal of the game. O'Donovan won the penalty himself after a foul from Conor Rafferty. The third round match against Kilkenny City finished 5-1 to Cork. Cork players Brian O'Callaghan, Leon McSweeney and Colin Healy all scored in a 6-minute period in the first half to put the home side 3-0 up. Although Kilkenny did pull a goal back, John O'Flynn scored two goals towards the end of the second half to seal a comfortable win. Cork City required a replay to advance past the quarter-finals after initially drawing 1-1 against Waterford United. Waterford took the lead on 10 minutes through Dave Warren's free kick and they could have doubled their lead but for Alan Kearney's goal being ruled out on 28 minutes. Cork equalised early in the second half through Denis Behan but nearly fell behind again after Vinnie Sullivan hit the woodwork. The replay was not such a close encounter as Cork, this time playing at home, comfortably won 4-0. Denis Behan scored a hat-trick. with Liam Kearney scoring the other goal. Bohemians were the opposition in the semi-final. Although they were the away side, Cork guaranteed their place in final by winning 2-0. Liam Kearney scored both the goals. Longford Town Longford Town faced Celbridge Town of the Leinster Senior League in their first tie. Longford won the game 1-0. Longford again faced non-League of Ireland opposition in the third round as they played Fanad United at home. Fanad United were in close-season and this handicap proved too much for them as they lost 1-0 to Longford. Limerick 37 were the opposition in the quarter-finals. The match finished 3-1 in Longford's favour, although much of the action happened late in the game as Longford opened the scoring in the 72nd minute. Dave Mooney doubled Longford's advantage in the 81st minute before Limerick converted a penalty, although Jamie Duffy scored in the final minute of the match to ensure Longford's progression. Longford then reached the final after a 1-0 win over UCD. Robbie Martin, a former UCD player, scored the winning goal. Pre-match Longford Town were appearing the final for the fourth time in seven years having won the tournament in 2004 and 2003 and finishing as runners-up in 2001, despite never contesting a FAI Cup final before 2001. Cork City's last appearance in the final was in 2005, when they lost to Drogheda United. Cork