2024 FAI Cup

[Straightstory]

The Drogheda v Bray play-off has now been switched to Tallaght Stadium.

[Nesta99]

Yeah the only time I can remember the Aviva pitch not being in good shape for the cup final was 2020 in the Dundalk vs rovers behind closed doors game. Dundalk then played Arsenal on it 5 days later and it was in unbelievably bad nick, the worst I’ve ever seen it

Playing Arsenal on a billiard table surface would have been fun, maybe thats where Filipo was all week, kicking lumps out of the pitch. Is the Aviva pitch hybrid? It really does hold up well regardless of the rugby. 1st time ever at Landsdowne was at the Ireland V Spain game in 1989, must have been mangled during the 5 Nations as it was a sight to behold, a thing of beauty when needing to lump it against Zubizaretta and co.

[Mr A]

Yeah it is has a weave in it- that's why fines for pyro on the pitch at the Aviva are higher apparently, the damage is dearer to repair.

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

35,000 tickets now sold for Sunday according to the FAI.

[ForeForeToo]

35,000 tickets now sold for Sunday according to the FAI.

Fantastic sales figure considering both sides are located outside of Diblin and one set of fans having to make a considerable journey to the game. I didn't expect 35k.

[2 Year Contract]

35,000 tickets now sold for Sunday according to the FAI.
I saw that figure announced somewhere last weekend. Dan McDonnell’s newsletter this morning said there’s around 37k gone now, with hopes it’ll surpass 40k if there’s decent weather and worries it’ll go the other way due to no shows if there’s bad weather

[ger121]

I was not expecting 35000 at all when tickets went on sale. Sunday looking a dry mild day, so could get a few extra people heading on the day. Might be in or around the 2021 attendance.

[pateen]

I saw that figure announced somewhere last weekend. Dan McDonnell’s newsletter this morning said there’s around 37k gone now, with hopes it’ll surpass 40k if there’s decent weather and worries it’ll go the other way due to no shows if there’s bad weather

Really hope the toolbags down show up either

[oriel]

That's some going 37k tickets sold, its really turned into a huge annual event now and long may it continue.

Two very different paths to the final, Derry had Pats and away to Bohs in semi to name two, and our friends Drogs, has to be the easiest route ever to a final, 1 relegated PD side, 1 non league and 2 FD sides, all games bar one at home !

You'd have to fancy Derry, but anything can happen on the day.

[brendy_éire]

That's some going 37k tickets sold, its really turned into a huge annual event now and long my it continue.

I'm still in a bit of disbelief about how big the crowd has become for the final.
10 years ago we played Pat's, attendance was 17k.
This year, even with two two non-Dublin clubs, it's going to be double that.
Also, this has all happened in spite of the FAI and the shambles of the organisation.
Long may it continue indeed.

[oriel]

I think the avg attendance in the 4 in row 'annual' Dundalk v Cork City finals (2015-2018) was 28k, so just shows how things have grown since.

What a brilliant day out though, absolutely loved the 6 in row finals we had, even the Covid one in 2020 was great fun watching with mates freezing in a beer garden - outside huge tv. Loved taking the kids down, we got the train, first class, had a routine went straight to the since closed old Jurys hotel (wasn't called that then) had the dinner, a few drinks, walked over to Aviva, just a magic day out, great memories.

Enjoy all who are going, have a good day, I`m 'well jell' .

[ger121]

Over 40000 tickets sold now.

[sbgawa]

Over 40000 tickets sold now.

Hardly a sell out though is it :)

[Straightstory]

Hardly a sell out though is it :)

It seems Scrooge has appeared a little earlier than usual this year...

[ger121]

It seems Scrooge has appeared a little earlier than usual this year...

Well in fairness to him, Rovers would know a thing or two about “sell out matches”

[sbgawa]

Tongue firmly in cheek boys

[ger121]

Tongue firmly in cheek boys

Let us all not even jest about that topic again.

[placid casual]

Once Rovers got knocked out I was hoping for a drogs victory and that's still the same. Doherty has done a great job there( derry should knick him after the final!) and deserves great credit for keeping a semi pro team in the league. And it'll be great for a team other than the usual suspects to win the cup.

[legendz]

With Bohs and Derry drawn against each other, will the cup final attract even half the crowd of last year?
I wasn't expecting over 25k for today's final. Sligo and Dundalk are the only non city clubs that I thought might help bring a big crowd with their history.

[wonder88]

Looking forward to this, went for premium ticket again, perfect day weatherwise. Spotted a few Derry supporters at Heuston St when I got off the early train up.
I am sure the pre-match atmosphere will be starting properly by now. Hope the predictions of 40k crowd turn out to be true.

[ger121]

I see the seat kills are back again this year with the first few rows at either end covered. Is this a thing for Ireland games? Certainly wasn’t in the rugby on Friday night. Just another example how LOI fans are treated differently to supporters of other sports.

[2 Year Contract]

I see the seat kills are back again this year with the first few rows at either end covered. Is this a thing for Ireland games? Certainly wasn’t in the rugby on Friday night. Just another example how LOI fans are treated differently to supporters of other sports.

No it’s not a thing for Ireland games, or for the Europa league final in the Aviva this year involving German/Italian ultras at either end of the ground. Worth pointing out that pretty much every Ireland game also has at least one pitch invader also but they’ve never opted to kill any seats off the back of that

[Kiki Balboa]

This is a turgid game

[culloty82]

Until it just livened up now!

[2 Year Contract]

Shocking marking from Connolly, Maher beaten at his near post too. Good finish for a centre back

[Bohtastic]

Yellow card for Brennan is ridiculous.

[Nesta99]

I couldnt see where that was a card. McEleney gets no luck even if he is made of glass.

[Jack B]

Looked like McEleney was already unconscious and was woken up by hitting the ground. Nasty one.

45 minutes for Derry to salvage their season from disaster. Hasn't been a great spectacle but that suits Drogheda, who have played probably as well as they would have wanted to thus far. Very hard working and playing to the percentages.

[ger121]

Unless there is a big improvement in the 2nd half from Derry, Drogheda will see this out comfortably.

[Nesta99]

Looked like McEleney was already unconscious and was woken up by hitting the ground. Nasty one.

45 minutes for Derry to salvage their season from disaster. Hasn't been a great spectacle but that suits Drogheda, who have played probably as well as they would have wanted to thus far. Very hard working and playing to the percentages.

You are right, the original contact seemed more back of the head and then hit the ground without bracing himself.

[Kiki Balboa]

2 poor teams ... Drogheda able to grind away, but Derry look defeated.

[sbgawa]

From my bitter and twisted perspective happy to see derry lose after their capitulation to shels.....Higgins RIP I presume

[placid casual]

Only 1 poor team I can see.
Drogs playing to their potential, playing the occasion on its merits and playing for their town with pride.
derry should sack their manager at full time,he's possibly the worst manager in the league( based on player panel & budget).
Hopefully Whelan ends up at Rovers next season where at least he could aim to fulfill his potential.
A shame to see Pat McEleney go off, he's very talented, but injury prone.

[ger121]

Attendance under reported ticket sales again. They have to be giving away thousands of freebies that are a no show on the day.

[2 Year Contract]

38,723 attendance, brilliant stuff. Nobody tell Oriel about the few thousand no shows though ;)

[joey B]

Penalty certainly looked outside the box..

[ger121]

Penalty certainly looked outside the box..

One of those borderline ones that in real-time can be given.

[sbgawa]

Penalty certainly looked outside the box..

They call that Karma

[joey B]

Can’t believe Ahui has barely played a game for Drogheda,looks a great prospect….

[culloty82]

Interesting to note Rob Harvey sporting a poppy on his referee's shirt.

[Kiki Balboa]

Derry doing their best Dundalk impression... pity for them it's the 2024 version

[sbgawa]

Interesting to note Rob Harvey sporting a poppy on his referee's shirt.

No fecking way.....I didn't think I could dislike him any more

[sbgawa]

Derry got exactly what they deserved from this season.

[Nesta99]

Well done Drogheda! Derry were just Derry.

[joey B]

Fantastic from Drogheda,Derry were awful though ….

[2 Year Contract]

Turfed out of Europe by Bruno's Bar, 4th place in a 2 horse race for the league, beaten without a whimper by the 9th placed team in the league in the cup final. That’s one hell of a hattrick for Higgins and Derry over the last few months, genuinely remarkably bad stuff.

Congrats to the Drogs, there’s been many a difficult year supporting them for their fans since their last trophy, this will be one to savour

[DCSIL]

Congrats Drogheda, by far the better team on the day.

[sbgawa]

Happy for the drogs fans. Its a tough grind supporting any team In LOI and a but of glory once in a while is justified reward. Hopefully they can put Bray to the sword next week and have a great post season

[Nesta99]

Drogheda were exceptionally motivated today but Derry were lacklustre. They have been for a while, dropping points in the league and not seeming to have too much fight about them. Is it the manager, character of the players - would a change of manager with no change to the squad see improvement or would any manager struggle to get a number of these players fighting for everything?

[Kiki Balboa]

If players can't get up for a cup final, they don't deserve to be in professional football.

Today says a lot more about those players than Higgins for me.