FAI Cup final half time report: Andrew Quinn's goal has Drogheda ...

DERRY CITY 0

A shock could be in store in the FAI Cup final as Andrew Quinn has relegation-threatened Drogheda United ahead against Derry at the break.

Eight minutes before the interval, the centre-back was left alone at the back post by Mark Connolly to connect with Shane Farrell’s free-kick and steer his sidefooted volley inside Brian Maher’s near post.

Drogheda – who must beat Bray Wanderers in a playoff next Saturday to preserve their top-flight status – shaded an evenly-contested first-half, with Darragh Markey earlier going close with a deflected shot pawed around the post by Maher.

Derry seem to be suffering a hangover from seeing their title ambitions disintegrate over the last seven days of the league season.

Their drop to fourth in the table on the final night means they must engineer a comeback for a Cup win to retain their spot in the Uefa Conference League next season.

Silverware was the target this year for the team that won the Cup in 2022 before finishing runners-up to Shamrock Rovers in the league 12 months later.

Danny Mullen was on the end of Derry’s sole chance, his 27th minute back-heel from Paul McMullan’s centre well gathered by Luke Dennison.

Immediately after grabbing the opener, Quinn had to be alert on his box as Derry’s Adam O’Reilly looked poised to tap home. The defender raced back to scoop the loose ball away to safety.

There was a nasty clash of heads on the stroke of half-time between Ryan Brennan and Patrick McEleney.

The latter, who marvelled in Derry’s 4-0 romp over Shelbourne two years ago, was forced off, while Drogs captain Brennan is playing on with a head bandage and nose plugs applied.

The FAI had flagged in advance that 40,000 tickets had ‘gone’ and the good news is most of the 20,000 season-ticket holders turned up, creating a carnival atmosphere.

Should they hang on for only their second FAI Cup win, and first since 2005, Co Louth will be lively for the next week.

DROGHEDA UNITED: L Dennison; E Ahui, A Quinn, D Webster, J Bolger, C Kane; D Markey, R Brennan, S Farrell; D James-Taylor, F Pierrot.

DERRY CITY: B Maher; R Boyce, M Connolly, S McEleney, A Wisdom; S Diallo, A O’Reilly; P McMullan, P McEleney (W Patching 45+4), M Duffy; D Mullen.

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).