Where to Watch Cliftonville vs Dungannon Swifts in the Northern Ireland FA Cup Final – BBC Coverage Details

Football fans in Northern Ireland won't want to miss the 2025 Northern Ireland FA Cup Final between Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts, with comprehensive coverage across BBC platforms. The match kicks off at 14:30 BST on Saturday 3rd May 2025, with the BBC providing live broadcasts on BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer (geo-restricted), and digital platforms.

BBC Northern Ireland's Coverage Team

Leading the coverage is experienced broadcaster Stephen Watson, a familiar face to BBC Northern Ireland viewers. Watson has presented sports programming for over a decade, including Irish League highlights and international football coverage. Alongside him in the commentary box is Thomas Kane, one of Northern Ireland's most respected football voices. Kane brings decades of experience covering local football, having commentated on countless Irish League and cup matches.

For those wanting pre and post-match analysis, BBC Newsline will feature reports from Nicola McCarthy, one of Northern Ireland's leading sports journalists, alongside additional contributions from Kane.

How to Watch the Final

Viewers have multiple options to catch the action:

• BBC Two Northern Ireland – Full live coverage from Solitude
• BBC iPlayer – Live streaming (geo-restricted to UK viewers)
• BBC Sport NI Online – Digital coverage with live text commentary

The BBC's commitment to local football ensures comprehensive build-up, including team news, expert analysis and interviews with key figures from both clubs.

The Road to the Final

Both clubs have battled through tough fixtures to reach this stage. Cliftonville, one of Northern Ireland's most successful clubs with multiple Irish Cup triumphs, will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet. Their opponents Dungannon Swifts have defied expectations to reach their first final in years, showcasing the competitive nature of this historic competition.

The Northern Ireland FA Cup, organised by the Irish Football Association, remains one of the most prestigious tournaments in local football. This year's final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with very different recent histories in the competition.

What to Expect From the Coverage

BBC Northern Ireland's production will feature:

• In-depth tactical analysis of both teams
• Interviews with managers and key players
• Historical context about previous finals
• Fan perspectives from both clubs

For those unable to watch live, highlights will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website shortly after full-time.

With local derbies always producing drama and the cup final atmosphere guaranteed to be electric, this is one match no Northern Ireland football fan will want to miss. Tune in from 14:00 BST on BBC Two Northern Ireland for full build-up to what promises to be a memorable cup final.