Richardson still stirred by magic of cup

While certain nuances of the game may have changed, it’s still all about the players and the people around them, according to Damien Richardson who is revelling being back in football again.

And having been involved in seven finals as a player and manager — winning five of them — the FAI Cup will always hold a special appeal to the Dubliner who has returned after a seven-year hiatus.

“The feelings never go away. They lie dormant but they’re always there,” said Richardson as he prepares Drogheda United, last year’s beaten finalists, for their quarter-final tie with Derry City at United Park on Friday.