Ryan Brennan praises 'warrior' Drogheda United players after FAI Cup final surprise

Ryan Brennan was delighted to help Drogheda United to a second Sports Direct FAI Cup title as they saw off Derry City by two goals to nil at the Aviva Stadium.

Underdogs coming into the showpiece game, Drogs defended resolutely and took their chances when they were presented to them to get over the line.

Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor got a goal in either half as Derry offered little in the way of a response on another disappointing day for the Candystripes.

It means European soccer for the Louth club in 2025, be that in the Europa League or the Conference League depending on yet to be determined UEFA coefficients.

"Unbelievable," was Brennan's response when he was asked how it felt to have a Cup winners medal.

"I said at the start of the week that we weren't favourites by any means, that Derry were going to throw the book at us. They probably needed to do that after a disappointing campaign in the league.

"We're warriors in the dressing room, characters, lads that work hard, lads that know how to put the ball in the back of the net when it counts.

"When we go 2-0 up it's backs to the wall. We ground it out and lucky enough for us we end up with the trophy at the end of a brilliant day."

Quinn's opener involved a superb finish at the back post, as he tracked Shane Farrell's lengthy delivery off a free kick, before volleying past Brian Maher.

"I was expecting Andy to shank that, he normally does in training," joked Brennan.

"He took it really well. It was a great ball in by Farreller. For us, that was the start. Dougy gets the second and we're under the cosh for the rest of the game.

"We dug in deep. We've been to the well many times over the last couple of months. Grinding out results, that's what we're good at."

Brennan was