Both come into the game after somewhat frustrating seasons, with Derry narrowly missing out in the title race and Drogheda still needing to win a promotion-relegation contest to retain their Premier Division status.
A win for either today would go some way towards making up for those disappointments.
Derry are looking to win the cup for the seventh time in their history. Their most recent triumph in the final against Shelbourne was only two years ago.
Meanwhile, Drogheda’s only cup final victory was in 2005, though they have been runners-up on three occasions,
10 Nov
2:20PM
Confirmation of today’s teams…
🏆 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🏆
Here's how City line up to face Drogheda in the Sports Direct FAI Cup Final.
Drogheda United fans ahead of the game. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
10 Nov
3:01PM
It’s a fantastic atmosphere in the Aviva and plenty of flares are being set off.
We won’t get the official attendance for a while, but the stadium is looking pretty packed.
10 Nov
3:02PM
A message from the tannoy has urged fans to stop lighting flares.
It’s delaying the start of kick-off, with smoke filling the pitch.
10 Nov
3:04PM
We’re underway…
10 Nov
3:10PM
5 mins: Half chance for Drogheda.
A long ball is flicked on and Pierrot gets on the end of it, but Connolly is sharp to the danger and makes a timely interception before the attacker can get a shot on goal.
10 Nov
3:14PM
9 mins: There haven’t been too many incidents of note so far.
As expected, Drogheda have begun cautiously, and Derry have not created much.
10 Nov
3:22PM
18 mins: It remains very scrappy and largely uneventful.
Derry are still dominating the ball but all their football is being played in front of Drogheda’s well-organised backline.
Douglas James-Taylor sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Drogheda’s advantage.
The upset is very much on now.
10 Nov
4:31PM
Having seen a replay of the penalty decision, the referee was right to penalise the Derry player.
But whether or not the contact was made inside or outside the area is borderline.
10 Nov
4:35PM
64 mins: Connolly gets his head to a corner but his effort is well over the bar much to the Drogheda fans’ delight.
Derry have not offered enough in attack, but I wouldn’t write them off yet — there is still more than half an hour to play including stoppage time and they have enough quality to score at least two goals within that period.
10 Nov
4:36PM
65 mins: Another change for Derry, and it’s an attacking one.
Boyce is replaced by Hoban.
As I type, Duffy delivers an inviting, inswinging cross that eludes everyone.
10 Nov
4:37PM
The official attendance has been confirmed as 38,723.
That’s a significant increase on the last time Derry were in the final in 2022.
10 Nov
4:38PM
Now it’s Drogheda’s turn to make a change.
Pierrot is replaced by Adam Foley.
10 Nov
4:41PM
McEleney gets booked for cynically taking down Markey as he attempts to launch a counter-attack.
We’ve seen another replay of the penalty incident and it looks like it was outside the area — that’s bound to be a big post-match talking point.
10 Nov
4:43PM
73 mins: Connolly’s prsence causes problems in the area as Duffy delivers a corner.
Brennan also gets a head on it before relieved goalkeeper Dennison claims it at the third attempt.
Another Drogheda change, meanwhile — Shane Farrell is replaced by Luke Heeney.
10 Nov
4:50PM
78 mins: Every big tackle, block and Derry mistake is being cheered by Drogheda fans.
It’s still far from insurmountable for the Candystripes but Kevin Doherty’s men continue to look very solid and have put themselves in a strong position to win this game.
10 Nov
4:52PM
82 mins: Derry make another sub.
Davenport comes on for Wisdom.
10 Nov
4:56PM
83 mins: O’Reilly has just been booked for a poor tackle on Foley.
The Candystripes’ frustration is showing as the cup is slipping away from them.
10 Nov
4:57PM
87 mins: It’s a case of anywhere will do now for Drogheda.
Kevin Doherty’s side have everyone back in their half and are booting it clear whenever they get the chance.
10 Nov
4:59PM
88 mins: Duffy’s initial cross is blocked before his second one goes straight into the hands of Dennison.
That results in more loud cheers from Drogheda fans, as their team looks to be just minutes away from lifting the cup.
10 Nov
5:01PM
90 mins: There will be five minutes of stoppage time.
Derry need a miracle now.
Drogheda’s Elicha Ahui has just been named player of the match.
A huge result for Drogheda and a day to forget for Derry City.
Kevin Doherty’s side will go into that promotion-relegation playoff full of confidence following just the second FAI Cup final triumph in their history.
For Ruaidhrí Higgins and the Candytripes, it compounds a disappointing end to the season.
Their form has just completely deserted them at the worst possible time.
People will point to the dubious penalty as the key moment in the game but Derry still struggled to lay a glove on Drogheda and the underdogs were worthy winners in the end.
10 Nov
5:12PM
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have plenty more reaction on the site shortly.
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As it happened: Derry City v Drogheda, FAI Cup final
Derry City 0-2 Drogheda
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
It’s a huge game for both sides.
Both come into the game after somewhat frustrating seasons, with Derry narrowly missing out in the title race and Drogheda still needing to win a promotion-relegation contest to retain their Premier Division status.
A win for either today would go some way towards making up for those disappointments.
Derry are looking to win the cup for the seventh time in their history. Their most recent triumph in the final against Shelbourne was only two years ago.
Meanwhile, Drogheda’s only cup final victory was in 2005, though they have been runners-up on three occasions,
Confirmation of today’s teams…
Some pre-match reading for you…
Who do you think will win today?
Poll Results:
It’s a fantastic atmosphere in the Aviva and plenty of flares are being set off.
We won’t get the official attendance for a while, but the stadium is looking pretty packed.
A message from the tannoy has urged fans to stop lighting flares.
It’s delaying the start of kick-off, with smoke filling the pitch.
We’re underway…
5 mins: Half chance for Drogheda.
A long ball is flicked on and Pierrot gets on the end of it, but Connolly is sharp to the danger and makes a timely interception before the attacker can get a shot on goal.
9 mins: There haven’t been too many incidents of note so far.
As expected, Drogheda have begun cautiously, and Derry have not created much.
18 mins: It remains very scrappy and largely uneventful.
Derry are still dominating the ball but all their football is being played in front of Drogheda’s well-organised backline.
26 mins: There’s a break in play as Drogheda goalkeeper Luke Dennison receives treatment.
Kevin Doherty will likely be the happier of the two managers as his side have restricted Derry to few chances.
As I type, the ball falls to Markey on the edge of the area and his low shot takes a deflection and is palmed wide by Maher.
27 mins: Derry finally threaten.
McMullan’s low cross finds Mullen, whose flicked effort is comfortably saved by Dennison.
31 mins: Derry carve out another chance.
Diallo opens up the defence, playing a one-two with McEleney on the edge of area.
However, the midfielder’s low finish is easily saved by Dennison.
34 mins: Bolger gets on the end of a deep free kick and his header is well saved by Maher.
It wouldn’t have counted anyway as the linesman has the flag up for offside.
DROGHEDA 1-0 DERRY (QUINN 37)
The underdogs are ahead!
Shane Farrell’s inch-perfect free kick is met by Quinn at the back-post who volleys it home unmarked after losing Connolly.
There is a significant stoppage after that goal, with more flares being lit.
42 mins: Derry are applying more pressure now.
A Duffy cross causes havoc in the Drogheda area, but the goalscorer Quinn is in the right place to clear for a corner.
45 mins: There is another lengthy stoppage.
Brennan and McEleney are receiving treatment after a clash of heads when challenging for the ball in the air.
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time.
Unfortunately for Derry, McEleney is unable to continue.
Patching will come on in his place.
Brennan has a bandage on his head and it looks like he will play on.
He also gets a booking for the incident.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
HALF-TIME: DROGHEDA 1-0 DERRY CITY
So at half-time, Drogheda will be much the happier of the two teams.
Kevin Doherty’s side have turned this game into an ugly contest, which likely would have been the plan beforehand.
Quinn took his goal well, capitalising on some lax defending.
Derry have been flaky at times this season, and so far, it has been another disappointing display from Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men.
They’ve struggled to create much, with Drogheda invariably combatting their attacks in a stop-start contest.
Losing attacking fulcrum and captain Patrick McEleney just before half-time is another big blow for the Candystripes.
Given how the first half has panned out, Drogheda might just be starting to feel it’s going to be their day.
The second half has begun…
48 mins: A long throw is headed across his box by Wisdom.
James-Taylor gets on the end of it, but his close-range attempt is deflected out for a corner.
54 mins: Mullen gets to Boyce’s low cross but he can’t generate much power into his finish, so it’s a comfortable save from Dennison.
Derry are looking more threatening in this second half and playing at a quicker tempo.
56 mins: Derry make another change.
McMullan and Mullen are off. Robertson and Whelan are on.
Penalty to Drogheda.
It’s a reckless lunge from Boyce on Kane.
DROGHEDA 2-0 DERRY CITY (JAMES-TAYLOR 57)
Douglas James-Taylor sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Drogheda’s advantage.
The upset is very much on now.
Having seen a replay of the penalty decision, the referee was right to penalise the Derry player.
But whether or not the contact was made inside or outside the area is borderline.
64 mins: Connolly gets his head to a corner but his effort is well over the bar much to the Drogheda fans’ delight.
Derry have not offered enough in attack, but I wouldn’t write them off yet — there is still more than half an hour to play including stoppage time and they have enough quality to score at least two goals within that period.
65 mins: Another change for Derry, and it’s an attacking one.
Boyce is replaced by Hoban.
As I type, Duffy delivers an inviting, inswinging cross that eludes everyone.
The official attendance has been confirmed as 38,723.
That’s a significant increase on the last time Derry were in the final in 2022.
Now it’s Drogheda’s turn to make a change.
Pierrot is replaced by Adam Foley.
McEleney gets booked for cynically taking down Markey as he attempts to launch a counter-attack.
We’ve seen another replay of the penalty incident and it looks like it was outside the area — that’s bound to be a big post-match talking point.
73 mins: Connolly’s prsence causes problems in the area as Duffy delivers a corner.
Brennan also gets a head on it before relieved goalkeeper Dennison claims it at the third attempt.
Another Drogheda change, meanwhile — Shane Farrell is replaced by Luke Heeney.
78 mins: Every big tackle, block and Derry mistake is being cheered by Drogheda fans.
It’s still far from insurmountable for the Candystripes but Kevin Doherty’s men continue to look very solid and have put themselves in a strong position to win this game.
82 mins: Derry make another sub.
Davenport comes on for Wisdom.
83 mins: O’Reilly has just been booked for a poor tackle on Foley.
The Candystripes’ frustration is showing as the cup is slipping away from them.
87 mins: It’s a case of anywhere will do now for Drogheda.
Kevin Doherty’s side have everyone back in their half and are booting it clear whenever they get the chance.
88 mins: Duffy’s initial cross is blocked before his second one goes straight into the hands of Dennison.
That results in more loud cheers from Drogheda fans, as their team looks to be just minutes away from lifting the cup.
90 mins: There will be five minutes of stoppage time.
Derry need a miracle now.
Drogheda’s Elicha Ahui has just been named player of the match.
Another change for Drogheda.
Deegan replaces Brennan.
Here’s a look at that big penalty call…
90 mins: Duffy’s corner finds Davenport, but he heads over.
That’s surely that.
FULL-TIME: DROGHEDA 2-0 DERRY CITY
Well, that’s that.
A huge result for Drogheda and a day to forget for Derry City.
Kevin Doherty’s side will go into that promotion-relegation playoff full of confidence following just the second FAI Cup final triumph in their history.
For Ruaidhrí Higgins and the Candytripes, it compounds a disappointing end to the season.
Their form has just completely deserted them at the worst possible time.
People will point to the dubious penalty as the key moment in the game but Derry still struggled to lay a glove on Drogheda and the underdogs were worthy winners in the end.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have plenty more reaction on the site shortly.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
FAI Cup Final Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Derry City Drogheda United