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Drogheda United outsmart Derry City to land second FAI Cup

Updated / Monday, 11 Nov 2024 06:39

Drogheda United won their second Sports Direct FAI Cup, upsetting favourites Derry City at the Aviva Stadium.

Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor got the goals to secure a first major trophy for the club since they won the League of Ireland 17 years ago.

In front of a record attendance for a final involving two clubs from outside Dublin of 38,723, the Louth club also secured European action for 2025 ahead of next weekend's promotion/relegation play-off with Bray Wanderers.

For Derry City, it's the culmination of a disastrous run which has seen them finish fourth in the league, and end the campaign with no trophy and no financially lucrative games in Europe next summer.

Drogheda started well before the Candystripes enjoyed a purple patch midway through the first half. The momentum flipped again with Quinn's goal, which was followed shortly afterwards by a game-ending injury for Patrick McEleney, who looked dangerous for Derry.

When James-Taylor converted an early second-half penalty the writing was on the wall for Derry, who dominated possession, but couldn't get the goal that might have caused a bit of panic in the Drogheda team.

Kick-off was delayed for just under five minutes due to flares being lit at the Havelock Square End of the ground, which was where the Drogheda supporters were set up.

It took a couple of announcements before they were all finally put out and the action could get under way.

And it was Drogs who started more brightly, fizzing with the energy of the occasion.

Elicha Ahui's long ball over the top nearly picked out Frantz Pierrot as the game ticked into its third minute, but it was just beyond the Haitian.

Connolly had to be alert shortly afterwards as James-Taylor flicked another ball from deep on, but the defender got in to get a toe to it and put Pierrot off.

The consensus beforehand was that the bigger pitch would allow the quality in the Derry side to blossom and although the opening quarter was evenly matched, they gradually began to get a foothold in the game.

In the 23rd minute, United keeper Luke Dennison went down requiring treatment, with his 10 team-mates making their way over to manager Kevin Doherty for some instructions; the Derry players stayed in the middle of the park.

Almost immediately after the resumption, Darragh Markey was centimetres away from giving Drogs the lead as he shot from the from edge of the box took a touch off Patrick McEleney and had to be pushed around the post by Maher.

The Candystripes had the best chance of the game from their next attack.

Ronan Boyce's exquisite pass put Paul McMullan in space out right before crossing. His initial attempt to cross was blocked by David Webster, but the ball came back to him, and he picked out Danny Mullen. On instinct, the forward went for the first-time backheel, but it was too close to Dennison.

Next it was Sadou's Diallo's turn as a one-two with Patrick McEleney put him in space in the box, but his eventual shot, with two Drogheda defenders sliding in at his feet, was comfortably saved by Dennison.

Just as it looked like Derry were getting on top, Drogheda took the lead.

Pierrot was fouled out right and Farrell's free-kick to the back post was met by Quinn. He had little space to deal with, having got away from Connolly, but he managed to sneak his volley past Maher.

Derry nearly hit back immediately as Duffy's cross was met by the head of Adam O'Reilly. It smacked into James Bolger and nearly sat up for the Derry player, but the goalscorer Quinn was there to slide in and only concede a corner.

Patrick McEleney's cup final was over before half-time as he came off the worst from an aerial battle with Ryan Brennan. Both players required treatment but, after a lengthy delay, Brennan - who was booked for getting in too hard - was able to continue.

Derry had another chance to equalise shortly after half time as Boyce picked out Mullen with a low cross, but he couldn't get a clean enough contact on the ball as Dennison gathered.

And Drogheda's second arrived shortly afterwards. Conor Kane ran at Boyce down the left channel, playing the ball past him and then being taken down by the Derry defender.

Referee Rob Harvey had little choice but to call a foul although replays suggested that it was a tight call as to whether the foul took place inside or outside the box.

Either way, James-Taylor gave Maher the eyes, sending him left before stroking the ball into the right corner.

Derry needed a quick response to get back into the game with their season on the line, but it wasn't forthcoming. Pat Hoban was introduced to try to make something happen, but Drogs were well organised, and frustrating Ruaidhrí Higgins' side.

A corner caused some worry for Drogs as Connolly challenged Dennison, before Brennan headed the ball straight up into the air. You got the sense that it might be Drogheda's day when the ball landed in the arms of Dennison on the ground, when the slightest touch would have seen the ball end up in the net.

Derry continued to see much more of the ball but they simply couldn't find a way through as it was Drogheda's day in Dublin.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui, Andrew Quinn, Darragh Markey, Douglas James-Taylor, James Bolger, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan 90+2), Conor Kane, David Webster, Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney 73), Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 68).

Yellow cards: Brennan 45 (+3), Pierrot 67

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce (Pat Hoban 65), Mark Connolly, Sadou Diallo, Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney (Will Patching 45+4), Shane McEleney, Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson 57), Danny Mullen (Colm Whelan 57), Adam O'Reilly, Andre Wisdom (Jacob Davenport 82).

Yellow card: S McEleney 70, O'Reilly 83

Referee: Rob Harvey

Attendance: 38,723

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