And so was Shane Farrell, hooked by Damien Duff in that same final defeat to Derry two years ago and then binned altogether in July this year, but who is entitled to pick up a league winners medal to go with this FAI Cup one, having made 17 league appearances for Duff’s champions.

A DOGGED Drogheda United broke the hearts of over 20,000 Derry City supporters at the Aviva Stadium as the Brandywell club's 2024 season ended in disaster. The Boynesiders were billed as underdogs to clinch a first FAI Cup victory since 2005 but Kevin Doherty's battling troops were full value to end that long wait with a richly deserved win over a Derry side who wilted under the lights of the national stadium.

Derry City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins has vowed to fight on and backs himself to bounce back following their Sports Direct FAI Cup Final disappointment. The 40-year-old, who still has a year remaining on his contract, concedes that his squad needs freshened up going into the 2025 season.

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium was lit up as thousands of Irish football fans streamed in for Derry City and Drogheda United in the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup final on Sunday. The Candystripes finished in fourth spot in the Premier Division and fans were keen on bagging the cup to make up for missing out on the league title.

It took 11 years, but a bloodied Ryan Brennan finally got redemption for his 2013 FAI Cup final defeat by helping Drogheda United see off favourite Derry City at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

DROGHEDA UNITED SEIZED their moment and FAI Cup glory with a performance of grit and guile. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but absolutely everything about this triumph was glorious. Andrew Quinn and Douglas James Taylor scored the two goals that will be etched in the history books of a club that have now lifted this trophy for just the second time.