Connolly aiming to repeat Derry City's dream final of 2022

Derry City defender Mark Connolly is using more longer-term memories than short as they aim to make up for a disappointing end to the Premier Division season by lifting the Sports Direct FAI Cup for the second time in three years.

Two wins in 12 league matches saw City throw away their chances of becoming champions.

Injuries struck at the worst possible time for the Candystripes, yet there was a feeling 2024 was the best chance they'll have to end a long way for the trophy.

The Cup has been solace for Derry – a place where they have fulfilled their potential – knocking out St Patrick’s Athletic, Bohemians, Cork City and Shelbourne on the way.

It was 2022 when City looked like they had laid a marker down for the hopes in the league when lifting the FAI Cup after a 4-0 win over Shels.

Connolly holds a fond recollection of that day as he looks to win the competition again.

He told RTÉ Sport: "You kind of never know how they're going to go and that one, if someone was to ask you what would be your ideal cup final, that day in 2022 was pretty much it. It was amazing. The way it went the whole day, the fans, how the game panned out to score four goals and not concede a goal was brilliant.

"Listen, ideally, you'd love that to happen on Sunday, but I'm not too sure it will. It'll be a difficult game against a strong team in Drogheda. It's something that we need to be ready for and something that we look forward to."

So what has gone wrong in the last number of months.

The Monaghan man has no qualms with the outcome, admitting his side did not do enough to come out on top over 36 matches.

"In the end, the consistency, unfortunately, it just wasn't there," he said frankly.

"he disappointment is you have the opportunity to do a double and It