Silverware secured but how do Derry City make the next step?

Before the FAI Cup final, the vitality of silverware for Derry City was much highlighted in their aim to become a consistent challenger.

Citing examples like Shamrock Rovers and Cork City who triumphed in the knockout showpiece before following it up with a league title - and many more in the Hoops' case - the gauntlet was set for the Candystripes on Sunday when they took on underdogs Shelbourne.

And Ruadhri Higgins' side emphatically met the challenge with a 4-0 triumph at the Aviva Stadium which will surely give them a pep in their step as they look to build on the investment in the squad for next season and beyond.

Closing the gap to Shamrock Rovers in the league will be a tough task though and one area of improvement will be Derry's home form according to former Longford Town and Drogheda United cup-winning defender Graham Gartland.

"For Derry to make that up, they need to improve their home form," he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast as he and his former team-mate Ollie Cahill analysed the week's football stories.

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"They've travelled well to Dublin this season and picked up big wins on the road. Derry was always a tough place to go so it's interesting that they haven't got enough victories but got a lot of draws at home.

"Winning games you're expected to win becomes a habit and that's what Derry brought to that final yesterday and it's something they need to build on that 'we need to go here and get a result'.

"I thought they were doing that at the latter end of the season when they went to