By Barry Landy
Drogheda United have felt like this before but now they’re feeling it even more. Nineteen years ago, at the old Lansdowne Road, this club tasted success on a scale like never before. That was a very different Drogheda United though. This victory will surely taste much the sweeter.
Goals in either half from Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor won the 2024 FAI Cup for the Drogs. It was a richly deserved success. Already heroes to scores of Drogheda fans, this team have made history now.
Kick off was delayed by three minutes as flares which were lit in the Havelock Square end – occupied by the Drogs supporters – had to be extinguished before referee Rob Harvey would start the game.
There were 11 minutes of added time at the end of the first after a clash of heads that left United captain Ryan Brenan needing lengthy treatment and Derry’s Patrick McEleney to leave the field.
After a near two decade wait, what’s a few minutes here and there?
As if Drogheda needed reminding, their upcoming promotion/relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers was advertised on the digital hoardings surrounding the pitch.
For the first time in 21 years, the FAI Cup final does not mark the end of the domestic men’s calendar. Win or lose, rain or shine, this team were training on Monday with their top flight status to be decided at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday.
Quinn had only ever scored one FAI Cup goal in his career before this showpiece final. That had come earlier this season; the sixth in Drogheda’s 9-0 drubbing of non-league Wilton United. It mattered little in the grand scheme of things.
His opener at the Aviva Stadium was about as consequential as they can be. A goal that handed Drogheda United something to hold onto against their more fancied opponents.
A special mention must be made of Elicha Ahui who was awarded the player of the match accolade and well deserved too. He was outstanding again in a one-on-one duel with Derry’s wing wizard Michael Duffy.
Certainly, Derry City were expected to win in the eyes of the bookmakers. This was a meeting of fourth vs ninth in the Premier Division after all. But League of Ireland watchers saw it differently ahead of the game – Drogheda’s first appearance in a final in 11 long years.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side had ended the league season in dismal form. A run of two wins in 12 games saw them go from title favourites in the eyes of some to fourth by the season’s end. For them, a cup final win was a necessity to qualify for Europe. Now they’ll be staying at home next summer.
Playing in continental competition would have been a pipe dream for Drogheda just a few short months ago – and a fanciful one at that. United will be polishing off their new silverware now and dusting off the passports soon enough.
From Shane Farrell’s free kick on the right hand side, central defender Quinn peeled away from Mark Connolly at the back post. He meet the dropping ball perfectly, producing a controlled finish that beat Brian Maher at his near post.
In truth, there are strikers across the league that would struggle to score a goal that good.
James-Taylor’s 58th minute penalty – his 12th Drogs goal since arriving on loan from Walsall in July – sealed it.
Conor Kane had played only 15 minutes of football in the last month thanks to a groin injury. He was arguably Drogheda’s best player here – two years after his despair at missing Shelbourne’s final appearance due to injury.
He flicked the ball over substitute Colm Whelan and then, as he took the ball down, Ronan Boyce got his legs in a tangle as he attempted to make a tackle. Rob Harvey pointed to the spot and James-Taylor scored from 12 yards.
Shots on target were hard to come by for Derry in truth, Drogs keeper Luke Dennison was busier in the first half than he was in the second. United were relatively secure as the clocked ticked down. It was testament to their organisation and resolve.
This was a stunning victory for Drogheda United – a team that looked likely relegation fodder as recently as June. It has the potential to be a transformative victory.
As a club, they have already capitalised on a feelgood factor that has elevated this league in the last three years. This will only serve to supercharge that upward momentum.
In the later stages, Higgins called on Patrick Hoban from the bench but it didn’t appear he was fit enough to make a meaningful impact. It was a desperate throw of the dice.
As crosses reigned in, United’s trio of centre backs Quinn, Dave Webster and James Bolger. Jacob Davenport headed over in injury time, but an off-target effort summed up another off day for Derry.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, David Webster, James Bolger; Elicha Ahui, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan, 90+2), Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney, 73), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Douglas James-Taylor, Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley, 68).
DERRY CITY: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce (Patrick Hoban, 65), Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Andre Wisdom (Jacob Davenport, 83), Adam O’Reilly, Sadou Diallo; Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson, 57), Patrick McEleney (Will Patching, 49), Michael Duffy; Danny Mullen (Colm Whelan, 56).
REFEREE: Rob Harvey
