FAI Cup Final 2024: Derry City and Drogheda United Set to Clash

Derry City, featuring player Patrick McEleney and manager Ruaidhri Higgins, is preparing to compete for the FAI Cup against Drogheda United in the 2024 final this Sunday. The match, scheduled for a 15:00 GMT kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, presents Derry City with an opportunity to secure the trophy for the second time in three years. The Candystripes’ stronger performance in the League of Ireland Premier Division campaign positions them as favourites for the game. However, their opponents are expected to be confident in their ability to cause an upset in the season’s premier event. Ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated kick-off, here is essential information regarding the final. Coverage of the significant Dublin cup final will be available live through BBC Sport NI. Live audio commentary of the game will commence at 14:30 GMT on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle. Dessie McCallion will host the broadcast, featuring commentary by Eric White and Liam Coyle. Odhran Crumley is assigned as the touchline reporter, delivering updates before, during, and after the match. Additionally, the BBC Sport website will offer live audio coverage, a live text commentary by Mark Strange, a match report, and post-match reactions. Derry City is pursuing its seventh FAI Cup title; their last triumph was a decisive 4-0 victory against Shelbourne in the 2022 final. The team, managed by Ruaidhri Higgins, has navigated a challenging path to this year’s final, securing victories against St Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City, Shelbourne, and Bohemians without conceding any goals before their upcoming match with Drogheda. In the second round at the Brandywell, St Pat’s were defeated 3-0, with Danny Mullen scoring twice and Michael Duffy also finding the net. Sam Todd scored the winning goal in a 1-0 third-round victory against First Division champions Cork at Turner’s Cross. During the quarter-finals at the Brandywell, Duffy and Mullen each scored in a 2-0 win against eventual Premier Division champions Shels. Duffy then extended his scoring run in the semi-finals, contributing to a 2-0 victory over Bohs at Dalymount Park. Drogheda secured their spot in the final by overcoming Dundalk 2-1, Wilton United 9-0, Athlone Town 4-1, and Wexford Youths 3-2. Derry City’s pursuit of the Premier Division title significantly declined in the closing phase of the season, resulting in a fourth-place finish in the final league standings, trailing champions Shelbourne by eight points. After contending for the League of Ireland title for much of the term, Derry’s performance deteriorated, with the team securing only two wins and 11 points from their final 11 matches. Their ambition to win the top domestic honour was hampered by inconsistent play, and they also suffered an unforeseen aggregate defeat to Maltese club Magpies in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League. Drogheda concluded the season in ninth place, 21 points behind their Sunday opponents, having achieved only seven wins across their 36 league games. Just six days following the final, Kevin Doherty’s team, Drogheda, is scheduled to participate in a relegation play-off tie against Bray Wanderers, aiming to preserve their top-flight standing. This season’s league encounters between the two finalists have yielded one victory for each side and one draw. In April, the teams played to a 2-2 draw at United Park, but Derry secured a decisive 5-1 victory at the Brandywell in June. Drogheda, known as the Drogs, then achieved a 2-1 win in September, partially avenging their previous loss. Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins told BBC Sport NI: “We didn’t show enough consistency throughout the season but we now have an opportunity to finish the season on a really high note and give this city something to cheer about and make a lot of people happy.” He added: “That’s what we’re in football for, to have special days like this. Cup finals are all about winning so whatever we need to win it we need to do.” Higgins continued: “If we can play anywhere near the levels of performance from a couple of years ago [the win over Shels] then we give ourselves a really good chance.” He also stated: “I can’t remember a route to the final like it. Every time a draw was made you’re wincing, such difficult ties, but the players deserve so much credit, showing real strength of character at difficult venues and at home. I hope we can go one better, it would mean so much to everyone connected with the club.” Higgins acknowledged: “We know we are slight favourites in some people’s eyes. We have to embrace and enjoy everything about it. We’ve a chance to win two in three years and that’s the motivation.” A victory in the cup final would provide Derry with an opportunity to qualify for European competition. He affirmed: “We are a club that expects to be in European competition. There’s no doubt about that. ” Higgins concluded: “It’s been a strange few weeks, we had a chance of winning the league and now we need to win the cup to qualify for Europe. It’s been a rollercoaster year, some good performances, some not so good, but we know we’re capable on these types of occasions to play well and perform well.”