FAI Cup final: Shels face tall task to deny Derry dream

Two teams with little to lose but much to gain go head-to-head in this year's FAI Cup final on Sunday afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.

Derry City and Shelbourne have already exceeded expectations throughout the 2022 campaign, which means the season finale can become a true cup final, a straight shootout to see who gets to lift the historic trophy at Lansdowne Road.

Victory, of course, will be on the mind of both sides as the curtain comes down on what has been a positive year for both clubs, but securing silverware will have very different implications for either team.

For Derry, the team who pushed Shamrock Rovers all the way in the race for the league title, a cup victory would prove the perfect ending to an important season, while kick-starting next season’s title charge going into the close season.

Ruaidhri Higgins needs to look no further back than the 2019 campaign when Shamrock Rovers ultimately ran out of steam in the title challenge with Dundalk, but ended the season in style to win their first FAI Cup for 32 years.

The Hoops have not looked back since that penalty shootout victory, as the baton was passed that day, and Stephen Bradley’s side have since won the league title three years in a row.

And the Candystripes manager will be urging his side to follow in their footsteps by developing that winning mindset on Sunday to take into the 2023 campaign.

Higgins will, no doubt, be fully supported to strengthen his squad during the close season, however, some silverware in the cabinet would also help attract more quality players to the Ryan McBride Brandywell club.

For Shelbourne, despite the shaky start, it has been a dream return to the top flight of Irish football.

The appointment of a high-profile manager set out the