Ryan Brennan: Drogs aiming to put best foot forward

Ryan Brennan is hoping for better luck this time around in Sunday's Sports Direct FAI Cup final after the scars of the 2013 decider.

In an absorbing final, the midfielder struck an injury-time goal to level matters for Drogheda against Sligo Rovers.

However, with seconds remaining, Anthony Elding found the net to break Drogheda hearts and seal Sligo’s third cup success in four years.

Eleven years later and Drogheda are still waiting for just a second FAI Cup title. What illustrates the strength of the domestic game is that around 17,500 spectators filed through the turnstiles in 2013, while more than 40,000 are expected to pack out the Aviva on Sunday afternoon, all the more noteworthy for a decider without Dublin representation.

"It shows you the direction the league has taken," he told RTÉ Sport. "There will be massive support from Derry and Drogheda.

"The last (FAI Cup) final I played in there were 17 or 18,000 fans, so Sunday will be more than double that. It’s exciting times for the league."

With club captain Gary Deegan enjoying only limited game time since recovering from a hip problem, Brennan is likely to have the skipper’s armband once again. Few neutrals expect him to wake up Monday morning, on his 33rd birthday, as an FAI Cup-winning captain.

Despite Derry’s form trailing off badly in the league, they have enjoyed a most impressive run to the final.

The Candystripes have seen off a resurgent St Pat's, the champions of the second and first tiers in Cork City and Shelbourne, as well as negotiating a tricky semi-final trip to Bohemians.

On the other hand, the Louth club have beaten struggling Dundalk, Athlone Town and non-league Wilton United before scraping past Wexford 3-2 at the penultimate stage.

How can they topple