Making a 'Mark' on the big stage yet again

Mark Connolly lifted his first FAI Cup just 16 appearances into his Derry City career and he wants to make sure he gets his hands on the trophy again this Sunday.

Since coming to the Brandywell in July 2022, Connolly has had a special affiliation with this competition. He not only made his debut in the FAI Cup against Oliver Bond, he also scored his first goal in a 7-0 win, a victory which put Derry on the road to their sixth FAI Cup.

Now, on his 77th appearance for the club this weekend, Connolly has the opportunity to make an impact at the Aviva Stadium again.

The backdrop to this cup final appearance is much different from two years ago, with Derry City players and supporters suffering from the disappointment of a failed league campaign, but the motivation, and the prize, remains the same.

“It's been probably a tough few weeks since the St Pat's game and then obviously it happened on Friday at the Brandywell,” he acknowledged. I think we probably had a day or two to feel sorry for ourselves and be disappointed in what happened and now it's just about moving on.

“We have a cup final to look forward to. Ourselves and Drogheda are the only two teams left in what is the biggest day of the year for League of Ireland football and thankfully we've given ourselves the opportunity to go to the Aviva, and get the whole city down there supporting us, so it's something that we're looking forward to.”

Derry City are favourites to win the game at the Aviva this weekend, but they were also favourites to beat Drogheda at Weavers Park back in September.

The Candystripes have been very much hit and miss this season with inconsistency ultimately depriving them of a possible league title, but when it comes to the FAI Cup, they have been sublime, defeating St. Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City, Shelbourne and Bohemians without conceding a single goal.

BACK TO DUBLIN… Mark Connolly of Derry City poses for a portrait during the 2024 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final media day at the Da Vinci's Hotel in Derry. (Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)

“It's all about focusing on yourself and don't worry too much about what's going to be happening outside,” Connolly stated. “It's just focusing on you turning up and doing your job and giving absolutely everything.

"We have plenty of quality and experience in the team so this week it's just purely dusting ourselves down with the league. That's done, that's in the past. We can't change any of that and now it's looking forward to Sunday and being positive and being ready for what's to come.”

Perfect start

Two years ago, Derry City got off to the perfect start when Jamie McGonigle scored after just 14 minutes of the final, and that paved the way for the Candystripes to go on and chalk up a very memorable win. Connolly can only dream of such a scenario this time around.

“It was a great start to be fair and Jamie done brilliantly with the goal,” he recalled. “I think that performance all round was as perfect as you could have wished for. And again, it's very, very similar to what we're looking for on Sunday. It's not going to be an easy game. Drogheda have, especially since the summer, they've recruited well and they've changed their system, so they're a very, very difficult team to play against.

"But I think if we focus on ourselves and focus on our strengths and the manager will have ways to hopefully break down Drogheda, then I really fancy us.”

Connolly is one of several players in the Derry City squad who not only has big game experience, but trophy-winning experience, and he is hoping that gives his team the edge ahead of a cup final which could really go either way.

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“Experience is a big thing,” he acknowledged. “There are some boys that haven't (played in a final). But again, it's an opportunity for them. It's an opportunity for them to play in their first final, to play in a big stadium and a big crowd like this here. And you've got to try and grab it with both hands.

"There's no fear in it. You've just got to look for it and look for it as a positive. We've got plenty of experience in there that if anyone needs any help or guidance, there's plenty of boys in that dressing room to do that.”