Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison set for leading role after taste of FAI Cup final

Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison is excited at the prospect of playing in front of up to 40,000 fans in what will be a career highlight in Sunday's FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium after a taste of it last year.

Dennison was on the bench for Bohemians as he watched on when his former side were beaten 3-1 by St Patrick’s Athletic.

Having moved to play more first-team football, the American has forced his way into the Drogheda side and will play a bigger role on this occasion starting in goal for United.

Dennison’s main takeaway from the final last year was finding the playing area smaller than it seemed from TV or the sidelines.

"The rumour is the pitch is massive and it does look massive when you're on the field level and the stands and the stadium.

"The surroundings kind of make it feel massive. But I think the biggest surprise was realising that it's not as big as it seems.

"But it's an amazing pitch, amazing facilities, just the whole aura of the Aviva Stadium is really exciting.

"A goal is a goal so it doesn't matter how it goes in, we're so excited so hopefully we can put a few in the net on Sunday."

Dennison is thankful to his manager Kevin Doherty who brought him to the club in July for additional competition within the United game.

"It was a competition, that's why Kevin brought me in and I'm really thankful Kevin gave me the opportunity.

"My first game for the club was the FAI Cup first round versus Dundalk and what a journey it's been since then. The atmosphere is amazing around Drogheda.

"Even before we went on the cup run or anything, the atmosphere around Drogheda is absolutely amazing. Every week it's a sell-out, fans are non-stop from the first minute to the last. The community, you see the flags