CHARLIE FROM THE STANDS: There's nothing quite like the FAI Cup!

There’s something special about Cup football. Derry City and Drogheda United will face off in this year’s FAI Cup Final in November, after both being victorious in their respective ties last weekend.

Looking back on my career and speaking with fellow ex-players, the FAI Cup final days are the memories that come up more than any other. For the educated smart-arse reading this, you may say ‘sure that’s because you never won a league’, losing out on titles on the final day of the season in 2005, and by goal difference in 2006 and 2010. But nonetheless, the Cup finals are the highlights of many of our careers.

In 2008, we lost one of these finals against Pat Fenlon’s Bohemians, a game which took place in the RDS. Despite the result, the match itself alongside the build-up to it, was one that I enjoyed greatly. This build-up, the buzz of the media, the optimism and hope of picking up that coveted trophy, it all added to the occasion. And now, 16 years later, with the spectacle being held in our fantastic national stadium, it is every domestic player's dream at the start of the season to walk out under the Aviva lights on Cup final day.

Looking around and seeing thousands of passionate fans, it's something you will never forget. I hope the fans understand that without them at the Final, it is merely another match. I discussed it before, but a football club is nothing without fans and this is something that certain League of Ireland clubs seem to forget. Hence what makes the big days out like this so important to players, to fans and communities.

On Friday past, Derry City sealed their passage to another Cup final with a 2-0 win over Bohemians. Few people know, but since Derry returned to the league, they have been the most successful team in the FAI Cup, followed by Bohemians. So, Friday night’s fixture was one that was filled with history, and with both clubs knowing that the other semi-finalists were Drogheda and Wexford, you could be forgiven for saying that it was the final (I hope this doesn't come back to bite me).

What transpired can only be described as a comfortable night for Derry’s back four and Brian Maher, and then it was all about the Michael Duffy show. The atmosphere in Dalymount Park was electric. Having played there during the 2010 season, it brought back great memories. Back then, we had some of the best strikers in the country - Jason Byrne, Raff Cretaro, Aaron Greene, and Paddy Madden. This attacking prowess was a stark contrast to Bohs’ offering on Friday, a side that looked devout of attacking intent.

I do not have any coaching badges and do not pretend to understand the intricacies of Elite coaching or managing, but playing without a recognised No. 9 just doesn't seem to make sense or be working for this current Bohemians side. When they saw the team sheet, Derry must have been rubbing their hands together, seeing Alex Grieves as the lone front-man.

Duffy’s performance was capped off by two goals, the first a strike from outside the area and then the jinking run for the second. Such goals make you wonder how people question the quality on show in the League.

You may have heard Stephen Bradley's comments about the standard of the league, and to be honest, I feel that this is bang out of order. It tells you all you need to know about the arrogance of not only Bradley, but also Shamrock Rovers themselves. To have a pop at the other managers and players while you are struggling to retain your title, is baffling. Considering if you compiled a mix of the best goals from the top leagues around Europe over the last two weeks, it would be a real surprise if some League of Ireland goals didn’t make the cut.

Speaking of high-quality goals, you will be pushed to find one as good as Wexford’s first goal in their semi-final against Drogheda United. Credit must go to Wexford boss, James Keddy, for putting up a real test to Kevin Doherty’s Drogs. Indeed, the first-half was as good as I have seen from an away side, and it just seemed like they ran out of steam and didn’t have the strength and depth in their squad. Although it will act as no consolation, Wexford can take great confidence from their showing, should they make the playoffs and come up against a Premier Division side again.

---

With only seven points separating the Top Five in the Premier Division as we enter the final month of the season, there is still something to play for each of these. Particularly with Derry City securing their place in the FAI Cup Final, it now potentially leaves a European place open for whoever finishes fourth this season. What an incentive that is for St Pat’s, Galway United, Sligo Rovers and Waterford.

In terms of the title race, I cannot fathom a more exciting conclusion that what we may be about to see. Over the years, the Premier Division has been between two teams, but this year, and especially after Shamrock Rovers’ 2-0 victory over Shelbourne on Sunday, it's now firmly a three-horse race.

With 102,000 people watching the Rovers and Shelbourne tie on RTE, and a further 188,000 dipping in and out of the match, this appetite will surely represent some potential for the FAI’s commercial masterminds. A staggering 8,182 spectators packed the stadium, which is a figure Shamrock Rovers can now point towards when negotiating better commercial rights with the FAI and its partners.  But more importantly, the numbers will help drive up the appetite for a season-long broadcast deal – something which would have been amazing to have as we enter the crunch fixtures of this year’s rollercoaster campaign.  

And attempting to do the impossible, here’s my take on how the final games will pan out.

Shelbourne FC: Currently 54 pts

1. Home to Waterford = 3 pts
2. Home to Drogheda = 3 pts
3. Away to Derry City = 0 pts

Total:  60 pts

Shamrock Rovers: Currently 52 pts

1. Away to Drogheda = 3 pts
2. Away to Dundalk = 1 pts
3. Home to Waterford = 3 pts

Total: 59 pts

Derry City: Currently 50 pts

1. Home to Bohemians = 3 pts
2. Home to Sligo = 3 pts
3. Away to Dundalk = 1 pts
4. Away to St Pats = 0 pts
5. Home to Shelbourne = 3 pts

Total: 60 pts - winning the title on goal difference

Not that I am biased.