Shane Farrell delighted to repay Kevin Doherty's faith after crazy year

Shane Farrell admitted that yesterday felt like a moment of redemption after a tricky period in his playing career.

Drogheda United won a second Sports Direct FAI Cup after beating Derry City 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium, with Farrell playing over 70 minutes for the eventual winners.

The 24-year-old started the season with Shelbourne but public criticism of him by his manager Damien Duff - particularly after coming on as a sub in a draw with Shamrock Rovers in April, only to be sent off after receiving two yellows - saw his relationship with the Reds hit the rocks.

The public nature of the criticism was in stark contrast to much of the post-match soundbites that tend to emerge after games, and it eventually led to him departing the club for Drogheda in July.

Drogheda United's Shane Farrell and Luke Dennison reflect on their side's FAI Cup final triumph with @Corktod #FAICup pic.twitter.com/m9Nzu78IpC

But now with a league winners medal, after Shels went on to claim the title at the start of the month, and the cup medal picked up yesterday, Farrell is in a very different place.

"It's been a crazy year," he said after yesterday's game.

"I spent half the year with Shels and they went on to win the league, so congrats to them. I love the club, I spent six and a half years with them, so I wished them all the best when I left.

"I came to Drogheda and I knew I had to change a bit, become more involved. Kev [Doherty] rang me and he had a bit of faith in me.

"I played my first game against Dundalk - a 4-2 loss - but I came off the pitch slightly happy because I got my first 90 minutes in a whole year.

"The last few games with Shels I'd be taken off after 45 minutes and my head was going. I've been poor, I knew I'd been poor, my confidence was