'We're well used to it' - Drogheda boss Kevin Doherty unfussed by underdog status

Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty says they're "well used" to the underdogs tag as they look ahead to Sunday's Sports Direct FAI Cup showdown against Derry City.

Doherty's side are facing into a massive fortnight, seeking to win a first FAI Cup title in 19 years this weekend, after which they have to navigate another promotion-relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers the following Saturday.

As usual, pegged as likely relegation fodder at the start of the season, Drogheda avoided the automatic relegation spot with some ease in the end, finishing eight points clear of crisis-hit Louth rivals Dundalk.

It was a win over Dundalk which kick-started their Cup run, with further victories over Wilton United (which finished 9-0), Athlone Town and a dramatic semi-final triumph over Wexford FC seeing them into a first final since 2013.

While retaining Premier Division status has been the chief objective for 2024, Doherty says their entire focus for this week on the Cup decider.

"We've probably been in a position over the last three weeks that we knew we were in a playoff and knew we were in the FAI Cup final and we could start preparations from there," the Drogheda boss told RTÉ Sport's Tony Donoghue.

"At the start of the season, you'd always be thinking about your league position and what league you're going to be in.

"But the Cup... I wouldn't say it's a bonus because it's something we always target. A lot has to go your way to get to a Cup final.

"If we had to win the Shelbourne or Dundalk games were ones we had to win to get in a playoff or stay up, we might have had to rush players back from injury.

"And that's a credit to the players because we put ourselves in that position. Training has to be going well and fitness wise, things