Kevin Doherty admits half-time dressing down ignited Drogheda United in FAI Cup semi-final

Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty admitted he had to read the riot act to his players after a poor first-half display in the Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final as they turned the game around against Wexford FC.

United were in the unfamiliar position of being overwhelming favourites to win a game against the First Division outfit at Weavers Park.

With the weight of expectations, the Boynesiders struggled to get a grip on the game as Aaron Dobbs' goal late in the first-half put the visitors ahead.

Substitute Adam Foley (2) and Douglas James-Taylor produced goals in the second period to eventually break Wexford hearts, with the decider coming injury-time.

A relieved Doherty told RTÉ Sport: "The game could have went all the way, it really could have. A lot of people were talking about Wexford being in the First Division and not having played in a semi-final beforehand. Most of our lads haven't either.

"Wexford are such a really good side, they have a lot of good players, and they did a job on us. In the first half, they were first to every ball. They won more duels. They won the vast majority of second balls.

"You can have all the tactics, everything in the world, but if you're losing duels like that [you won’t win]. We just were too slow and it took us a while to get going.

"But we had to find a way. Half-time was fairly….. I wasn't overly happy obviously, But the lads responded and we came out in the second half and we were excellent."

Foley has had to be patient this year, usually taking his place on the bench due to the form of Frantz Pierrot and James-Taylor.

Injury to the Haitian striker gave Foley more minutes this afternoon and he grabbed the opportunity.

Doherty felt Foley would produce the goods: "You just know that he's