It was a famous day for Drogheda United on Sunday, as they claimed their first FAI Cup win in 19 years against the odds in Dublin.
Derry City pushed hard in this year's League of Ireland title race, only being knocked out of contention with one game to go. Having also taken a tougher route to the final, they were heavily favoured in Sunday's decider.
Close to 40,000 tickets were sold for the final, with both sets of fans contributing to a buzzing atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Flares from both ends landing on the pitch saw kick-off slightly delayed, and it was from the Drogheda end that most of the smoke came.
On a day when their fans brought the noise, Drogs gave them a special moment on the Lansdowne Road pitch.
Andrew Quinn opened the scoring just before half-time with a brilliant volleyed finish, before the second came just after half-time from Douglas James-Taylor.
1-0 Drogheda as we approach half-time at the Aviva
Could an upset be on the cards? 👀pic.twitter.com/27PjBghFfT— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 10, 2024
They would hold on for an unlikely 2-0 win which manager Kevin Doherty dedicated to the club's fans.
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Drogheda United claim memorable FAI Cup final scalp
Drogheda United came into this game with a relegation playoff looming next week, without a trophy in 17 years, and having won the FAI Cup just once previously. Against all the odds, they were firmly deserved winners on a memorable day in Dublin.
It has been a challenging year for Drogs, as they have balanced a relegation fight with an unexpected run deep into the FAI Cup.
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty is a proud man after his players implemented his game plan to perfection in the FAI Cup final pic.twitter.com/MYMrU8BqX5
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 10, 2024
Speaking to RTÉ post-match, Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty was emotional as he put into words the journey that had brought the club to this point.
Ah look, how could you not be proud of that? You can probably see my face...I told them before the game how proud I am of them regardless of the result.
It was such a tough couple of months during the summer and people were writing us off for everything.
We'll enjoy tonight, 100% because we've won the FAI Cup for only the second time in the club's history, which is unbelievable.
One of the stars of today's victory was Ryan Brennan, who also started the heartbreaking 2013 final when Drogheda were beaten in injury time by Sligo Rovers.
Manager Doherty paid tribute to Brennan and the squad's more senior players for the role they had played in putting an end to years of heartbreak for the club.
Doherty also said that he was delighted with how effective his game plan had proven to be - and he was even more delighted that Drogheda had answered more than a few questions that had been asked of them pre-game.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of this cup final, however, was once again the immense noise brought by the fans in the Aviva Stadium. Doherty acknowledged the special efforts made by the Drogheda fans in willing the team over the line on Sunday.
The noise - it's easy for a manager to come on and say, 'Our fans were great,' and all this...I came in here today before the game and this place was covered in all the stuff and there wasn't anything down the far end.
That's not a go at Derry - they're a massive club and I love Derry - but it just shows the lengths that our supporters have gone to.
When lads are putting their bodies on the line and they start going...it's just amazing. I'm so happy.
Drogheda have, in effect, another cup final next weekend, with the relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers looming at Tallaght Stadium.
For now, though, the club will bask in the glory of a famous triumph at the Aviva Stadium.
