300 up for Patrick McEleney! - 'As you get older, it gets even more special'

Patrick McEleney admits he and his team mates were ‘desperate’ to get to this season’s FAI Cup final.

The City captain is on course to play in the ninth FAI Cup final of his career, and despite being one of the most decorated players in League of Ireland history already, he still gets just as excited at the thought of playing at the Aviva Stadium.

“I'm not joking, it gets better every time,” he said. “The more it goes on, the more you want to get there because you know what it can bring. Obviously, I'm from Derry, and it's extra special for me being from there, so I know what it can bring to my family, my friends, and people in the city. It's just extra special when you're from Derry.”

“Obviously, this is my ninth FA Cup final, but I think I've played six or seven times there in Europe as well, so it's an amazing place to play. I think there was 20,000 Derry fans there. It's unforgettable, really.”

McEleney celebrated his 300th Derry City appearance in the perfect manner, playing a key role in a thoroughly deserved victory at Dalymount Park. The 32-year-old didn’t realise he had reached the milestone until after the final whistle.

“It’s unbelievable,” he laughed. “Ah look, we had a game plan and it worked. I know it was probably not the prettiest of times, but we believed in what we were doing and, again, it worked. It was deserved. The chances were the main thing. I think we had enough to win the game and obviously Mickey has popped up with a couple of bits of brilliance for us, which he's done all his career, really, in big moments. So, I’m delighted for him and just delighted for everybody, really.”

Dalymount Park has been profitable for Derry City over the years, with this the third time they have on an FAI Cup semi-final at the ground.

“We just stifled them and let them come on to us a wee bit and we felt as if we could pick them off, and we've done it, I think,” McEleney continued. “They're a good side, too. Obviously, they have demanding fans, like everybody, really. I'm just absolutely buzzing, for everybody. It's been tough. There's been some ups and downs. Look, we have something to really, really look forward to now, as a club and fans. Obviously, we've seen what it was a couple of years ago, how good it was, and it’s a dream to go back.”

Last week at Drogheda, McEleney completed his first 90 minutes since March, 2023, and he is more than ready to make up for lost time, with his elbow injury this season an unpredictable setback.

“Obviously the elbow thing was an absolute disaster,” he admitted. “I'd be lying if I wouldn't say I was looking for something, I guess, like a semi-final, trying to create a big moment for us to do one thing. I played my part tonight in a certain way. I had to play in a position defensively and do a job for the team. Obviously, I was higher up the pitch, but I had a defensive role, and I think it worked.”

“I was just desperate to win this game because I know what the final's all about, to be honest. We had a real drive to get this one over the line as players. I'm not saying we don't have that every week, but we were just desperate to get to the Aviva because, as I said, it's just so special.”

No surprise

McEleney has been through it all with Michael Duffy through the years and he wasn’t at all surprised when his team mate stunned Dalymount Park with that extraordinary first half free kick.

“When he stepped up over the free kick, I actually said to him when we were coming back to the halfway line, I just had a feeling,” he stated. “In his run up, I just felt he was going to score. I've seen him do it so many times, so it didn't really surprise me to be honest.”

“To be honest, our away fans probably deserve something like this. I'm usually getting pelted,” he laughed. “No, I'm absolutely delighted for them because it's the same faces. To be honest, I see them. We've lost a couple of games away from home and you look into the crowd and it's the same boys that’s back. They're as desperate as us to win, so I can't fault them. The fans have been great. So just a big push now altogether and positivity, I think, is the key.”

It is now back to league action with huge games coming up against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers, both at the Brandywell.

“Just try and stay as level as you can,” McEleney advised. “Obviously, it's an unbelievable achievement getting to the final. It is. I think when you get older too, maybe it's even more special, I don't know. Just try and stay level. We have two massive home games now where we're actually really looking forward to. If we can take care of them, then you're three games to go.”