Kevin Doherty: Drogheda United were one of the best teams in the country in late 2024

Now officially presiding over a full-time outfit, Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty cuts the same relaxed figure as ever.

In his navy tracksuit and white runners combo, he stretches out in his chair in the Mansion House, beneath a portrait of an 18th century nobleman, seemingly happy to take questions for as long as people will fire them at him.

The Drogs gaffer is not flanked by any highly-strung PR operative, barking out "last question" and "okay, wrap it up now".

At one stage, the Dublin Lord Mayor's dog briefly interrupts the interview. Doherty reflexively reaches down to pet the dog while continuing his monologue on the vagaries of the transfer market. As the dog scurries off, he glances up at the media members present and observes, "Bit random, innit?"

In 2025, Drogheda United, the reigning FAI Cup champions, are embarking on a glorious new era. One of morning training sessions and players no longer rocking up to their Ratoath facility after a day's work.

Acquired by US investment firm, Trivela Group, in late 2023, they completed their transition into a full-time outfit over the pre-season, making the 2025 Premier Division season the first in history in which all competing sides will be fully professional.

The switch to full-time, combined with the carrot of European football offered by their FAI Cup win, has already made them a more attractive prospect for players hungry for game-time. And said players' agents.

"I'm not joking, I came in here today and I had about four or five messages from different agents, saying 'you need anything else for your squad?'" Doherty tells RTÉ Sport.

"It's every day. So even if you were the laziest and didn't look at any player ever and didn't do any work, you'd still be able to sign a