M1 Set for Heavy Traffic as Drogheda United and Derry City Fans Head to Aviva Stadium for FAI Cup Fina
Ardee News and Sport – This Sunday, the M1 motorway is expected to be packed as fans of Drogheda United and Derry City make their way to the Aviva Stadium for the much-anticipated 2024 Sports Direct FAI Cup Final. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m., and the game promises to be an intense battle, marking the 104th staging of this prestigious event and the first final since 2018 without a Dublin club in contention.
Drogheda United: The Underdogs with a History to Rewrite
For Drogheda United, this final is only their fifth in their 105-year history. The Boynesiders have struggled in previous Cup finals, with their only win coming in 2005 over Cork City. This year, however, Drogheda’s journey to the final has been nothing short of electrifying. Over four matches, they’ve managed to rack up an impressive 18 goals, defeating strong opponents like Dundalk, Wilton, Athlone Town, and Wexford.
Despite being labeled the underdog, Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty is undeterred, embracing the challenge with confidence. “We’re well used to the underdog tag,” Doherty told RTÉ. “Every week, people label us as such, and we’re more than capable of handling it. Derry has strong players and a manager with recent FAI Cup success, but we’ll be fully prepared. Whatever happens on the day, we’re ready to put our best foot forward.”
Win or lose, Drogheda will still face a critical playoff against Bray Wanderers in their bid for promotion, which adds to the stakes on Sunday for the Claret and Blue side.
Derry City: Aiming to Add Another Trophy to Their Storied Cup History
Derry City heads into Sunday’s showdown with an impressive FAI Cup record, having won six of their nine finals to date. Their most recent triumph came in 2022, where they overwhelmed Shelbourne with a 4-0 victory. Although several of their top players from that victory have since moved on, Derry’s resilience remains a key asset. The Foylesiders have maintained a clean sheet throughout this year’s Cup journey, defeating top teams like St Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City, and Bohemians.
For manager Ruaidhri Higgins, the drive to win is fueled by a deep connection to the Derry community. “When you get to a Cup final, there’s a huge responsibility to win,” Higgins told The Irish Sun. “Our supporters will be traveling 3½ hours to Dublin, and it’s for them that we’re motivated to bring the trophy back. We’re not just playing for ourselves but for a city that deserves this joy.”
Match Preview and Betting Odds
Derry City enters the match as the favorite, with bookmakers setting their odds at 4/6 compared to Drogheda’s 15/4. Recent league encounters between the two clubs have been competitive, with Derry winning twice and drawing once, although Drogheda emerged victorious in their latest meeting.
Prediction: Drogheda United 1 – 3 Derry City
With both teams in similar form, having recorded two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six games, the Cup final’s unpredictability is on full display. The tactical approaches of Doherty and Higgins will be pivotal as they prepare to rally their squads for a memorable match.
Referee Robert Harvey will oversee the game, ensuring fair play as these two sides vie for FAI Cup glory. For fans, Sunday will be a thrilling conclusion to the season, as Derry City and Drogheda United fight to add a new chapter to their club’s history in front of what’s expected to be a packed Aviva Stadium.