FAI Cup Final Report: Drogheda United 2 - 0 Derry City

Joshua Lindsay reports from the Aviva Stadium

Goals from Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor were enough for Drogheda United to claim an FAI Cup crown. Their all-important goals in this year’s FAI Cup Final in front of 38,723 spectators led Kevin Doherty’s men to victory over a Derry City side who put in a poor performance on the day.

A brilliant atmosphere surrounded the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon with flags and flares around the stadium added to the momentous occasion this final – the flares inside the stadium delayed the start as there was a wait to see the smoke clear.

Drogheda had the first half chance of the game when a knock on header from a Drogs man landed in the path of Frantz Pierrot, who couldn’t find the balance to stay up and left the ball to go astray. 

Kevin Doherty’s men defended tremendously in the opening period. The five man backline shackling Derry from early on. 

The Boynesiders thought they had found the opener on 25 minutes when Darragh Markey received the ball on the edge of the box. He fired an effort at Maher who got down low and put it out for a corner. 

The response from Derry was even better. Paul McMullan was sent down the line from a great through pass from Ronan Boyce. He looked to pull the ball back towards Danny Mullen but the initial pass attempt was blocked. 

The ball came back to McMullan who fired it across the box for Mullen, who tried an audacious flick attempt but Luke Dennison knew what he was trying and made it look an easy save. 

The game came alive as yet another chance from Ruaidhri Higgins’ men caused Drogheda fans to gasp, as Mullen found the ball in the opposing box, flicked it onto the oncoming Sadou Diallo, who struck the ball into the keepers hands.

A dangerous chance came the way of Drogheda minutes later, as Shane Farrell whipped a lovely ball into the box from a free kick. James Bolger was the one who met it and caused Brian Maher to pull off a ridiculous one handed save but it turned out it was offside. 

With the clock on 36 minutes, Drogheda found the opening goal causing the Aviva to erupt. The Candystripes failed to learn from the previous free kick attempt that was given away, as the exact same chance repeated itself. 

This time it was on the other side of the pitch, which favoured Farrell as he put a great cross into the box, which Quinn got on the end of and carefully slotted it past Maher putting the Louth side 1-0 up. 

Derry seemed to lack ideas in the first half and found it really hard to break down the Drogheda backline, while Drogheda were defending really well and then transitioning quickly causing a lot of problems from Ruaidhri Higgins’ men. 

United started the second half brightly, causing problems for the Candystripes, but it was Derry who had the first chance after the break  when McMullan pulled the ball back to Mullen who side footed it towards goal, leading to a Dennison save. 

Drogheda doubled their lead through a James-Taylor penalty. He slotted it home to the left of Brian Maher who went the wrong way. 

Conor Kane was the one who was fouled to win the penalty. After beating one Derry man on the left wing, Kane took on Ronan Boyce in the box, Boyce put a foot out and caught the full back right on the edge of the area with referee Rob Harvey pointing to the penalty.

As James-Taylor had a face of rejoice, many Derry fans had a face of worry, for the last half an hour of their season. 

As the last ten minutes closed out, Derry piled on the pressure, causing problems, but ultimately led to nothing. 

Kevin Doherty will be hoping this cup win will bring confidence into their promotion/relegation play off vs Bray Wanderers next week, hoping they can make end of the season a success.

They have Europe next season while Derry City, who were chasing a double till the penultimate league game of the season, will only have domestic football to play in 2025.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison, Andrew Quinn, James Bolger, David Webster, Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney 72), Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan (90+2), Darragh Markey, Elicha Ahui, Conor Kane, Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 68), Douglas James-Taylor

Subs Not Used: Andrew Wogan, Aaron Harper Bailey, Jack Keaney, Aaron McNally, Warren Davis, Bridel Bosakani

Booked: Ryan Brennan (45), Frantz Pierrot (67), Adam Foley (93)

Derry City: Brian Maher, Andre Wisdom (81, Jacob Davenport), Ronan Boyce (Patrick Hoban 65), Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Adam O’Reilly, Sadou Diallo, Patrick McEleney (William Patching 48), Michael Duffy, McMullan (Sean Robertson 57), Danny Mullen (Colm Whelan 56)

Subs Not Used: Tadgh Ryan, Conor Barr, Callum Doherty

Booked: Adam O’Reilly (83), Mark Connolly (88)

extratime.com Man of the Match: Andrew Quinn (Drogheda United)

Referee: Robert Harvey 

Attendance: 37,823

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— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) November 9, 2024