Irish FAI Senior Cup Semi-Final 2025: How to Watch Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic and Meet the Commentators

The eagerly awaited semi-final of the Irish FAI Senior Cup between Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic takes place on Friday, 3 October 2025, kicking off at 19:30 UK time. Fans in Ireland can watch the match live on RTÉ 2 HD, the flagship sports channel of Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ, renowned for its commitment to showcasing Irish football and other key sporting events. For viewers outside Ireland or those preferring online streaming, the fixture is available on the RTÉ Player (geo-restricted) ensuring flexible access to this crucial clash.
The match will also feature pre and post-match analysis coverage on RTÉ News, offering fans in-depth insights and updates.

Broadcast Team and Their Background
The coverage is presented by Peter Collins, a seasoned RTÉ sports presenter with extensive experience covering Irish football, known for his engaging on-air presence.
The main commentator is Des Curran, a respected voice in Irish sports commentary with a rich history of narrating football matches across national and club levels. Working alongside him as co-commentator is Kenny Cunningham, a former professional footballer internationally capped for the Republic of Ireland. His playing career includes Premier League and international experience, providing expert tactical analysis.
Expert punditry is delivered by Alan Cawley and Stuart Byrne. Alan Cawley, a former League of Ireland player turned analyst, brings tactically astute evaluations, while Stuart Byrne complements him with his own distinguished playing career and insightful perspectives.
On-the-ground updates and interviews will be handled by Tony O'Donoghue, a veteran sports journalist and RTÉ reporter widely respected for his comprehensive football coverage.

Match Context and Teams
This semi-final is a pivotal battle in the 2025 FAI Senior Cup season. St Patrick's Athletic FC, marking their 96th year in existence and entering their 74th consecutive top-flight campaign, come into the match under the management of Stephen Kenny, who took charge in mid-2024. As of late September 2025, they have been strong contenders domestically with a notable record in league play.
Cork City FC, one of Ireland's prominent clubs, also look to progress in the FAI Cup, where reaching the final would be a prestigious achievement.
This fixture has a deep history, with both teams competitive in recent meetings including St Patrick's Athletic overcoming Cork City 2-0 in a previous encounter in October 2023.

How to Watch
The match kicks off at 19:30 UK time and is available live on RTÉ 2 HD in Ireland. The commentary team ensures comprehensive audio coverage, combining play-by-play by Curran, tactical input from Cunningham, and pundit insights from Cawley and Byrne. Online viewers in Ireland can access the broadcast via the RTÉ Player, while updates and expert analysis will be continuously presented on RTÉ News.
While no UK terrestrial channel is airing the match, Irish viewers in the UK with access to RTÉ programming can tune in live. It is a prime example of homegrown Irish football being given prominent broadcast attention.

About the Broadcasters and Streaming
RTÉ is Ireland’s national public service broadcaster, heavily invested in promoting Irish sports at all levels from grassroots to professional. Their provision of high-definition live sport on channels like RTÉ 2 and digital access via RTÉ Player reflects their commitment to accessibility and quality coverage.

For further information about the clubs and their seasons, see the official St Patrick's Athletic FC website and Cork City FC ticketing and match details. For general coverage of the Irish FAI Senior Cup and other fixtures, ICDB’s summary and fixture updates provide excellent resources.