Drogs hero Foley glad to seal 'now or never' Cup final appearance
Adam Foley of Drogheda United celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Drogheda United’s FAI Cup hero Adam Foley admits Sunday was his last chance to seal a final place.
Lots of the talk ahead of the semi-final against First Division Wexford centred on the prolific partnership of pairing of Douglas James-Taylor and Frantz Pierrot but a first-half injury to the latter was the cue for Foley to spring from the bench.
He salvaged the tie, cancelling out Wexford’s interval lead and poking in his second two minutes into stoppage time to secure their spot after the visitors had levelled.
Those interventions were integral to Drogs setting up a final Derry City on November 10 at a packed Lansdowne Road.
“This was definitely my final opportunity of reaching a final because I turn 35 at the end of the season in December,” said the striker from nearby Balbriggan.
“It was now or never but I had a feeling all week and all day we’d get there.
“The farthest I’d gotten was in my career was the quarter-finals – and I won’t say why we lost because I’ll get myself into trouble – but this was our time.
“This It’s the stuff of dreams because I’m a season ticket holder for Ireland. My bunch of mates have been going since we were kids.
“I’m in Row P, Seat 144 and you’re always looking out at Lansdowne Road thinking it would be unbelievable to play here.
“I’ve gone to every FAI Cup final and said to my wife that we’ll be here someday - not just watching but part of it.” That vision was in doubt for a chunk of this semi.
It was all of 13 years ago that a First Division team last reached the final, 15 since the winner came from the second tier, but for large swatches, Wexford were Premier class.
There was a top-tier influence throughout their side, four of the back-four currently on loan from top-flight clubs, but their local legend Aaron Dobbs was the one who bagged a brace to keep alive hopes of a first FAI Cup final for the club.
He’s been around the league circuit for a decade since making his debut for Shamrock Rovers as a 16-year-old and his predatory instincts were evident were two close-range finishes.
He had James Keddy’s side ahead of the break by prodding home Thomas Oluwa’s left-wing cross and the same combination were involved in equalising to make it 2-2 after Drogs had scored twice during the interim.
Foley brought the home side level on 65 by redirecting Andrew Quinn’s wayward cross high into the net before James-Taylor shrugged off Sean McHale from Darragh Markey's corner to head in their second 12 minutes later.
Despite Wexford levelling within two minutes, there would be one final splattering of drama when Foley arrived on cue to hook the ball home from a long throw-in that was headed on by James Bolger.
“Small details cost us,” admitted Keddy, a decorated FAI Cup winner as a player. “If you're 28 or 29, they don't happen.
“Our lads are part time, whereas Drogheda are full time. It's their livelihood at stakes which brings a ruthless streak. I have a lot of students in my dressing-room so it’s different.
“Maybe we’ll end up playing Drogheda again in the playoff and we won’t be afraid of them.” Foley’s stabbed finish sends Drogs to into the final for the first time since they lost to Sligo Rovers controversially in the 2013 decider.
As the second-bottom side in the table, Drogs will have a relegation playoff the following week to retain their Premier Division status unless a four-point gap on Bohemians over the final four league games is overturned.
Kevin Doherty’s first FAI Cup final as a manager will be poignant.
“My late Dad Liam will be delighted up there,” said the Drogs boss, looking to the heavens.
“On the night he died four years ago, my sister-in-law sent me a video of him singing You'll Never Walk Alone from 2007 when I lost my only FAI Cup final as a player.
“I was disappointed after losing for Longford Town against Cork in the final. But after meeting my Dad the hotel he said that because his son has just played in an FAI Cup final, how could he be disappointed?”
: L Dennison; E Ahui, A Quinn, D Webster, J Bolger, C Kane; D Markey R Brennan, S Farrell (L Heeney 58); D James-Taylor, F Pierrot (A Foley 30).
C Walsh; D Isamala, L Temple, C O’Malley, S McHale (K Harnett 90+3); D Levingston, L Lovic (C Curtis 75), K Corbally; M Rowe (E Boyle 55), A Dobbs (J Crawford 90+3), T Oluwa.
D McGraith (Mayo).
2543
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
