Sligo Rovers came from behind to claim the FAI Cup Final in one of the most exciting FAI Cup Finals we have ever witnessed.
Drogheda looked to be heading for an unlikely win entering the final quarter after taking the lead thanks to Paul O’Connor strike after a brilliant counter-attacking team move after just 13 minutes. They then fell behind late on and went a man down before grabbing an injury time equaliser, but Anthony Elding scored what turned out to be the winner in a highly dramatic game at the Aviva.
Ian Barraclough’s side were very close to an equaliser in the first half when Elding had the ball in the net, only for the assistant referee to correctly rule that the ball had gone out of play before it was put into the box.
The second half was every bit as entertaining with both teams contributing to a great spectacle. Gavin Brennan thought he had given Drogheda a two goal advantage, but his header was ruled out after a foul.
While Sligo conceded after 13 minutes, they grabbed their equaliser with 13 minutes remaining in the contest and it was an inspired substitution by Barraclough. An inswinging corner found its way to Danny North at the back post, and the player quickly made his mark on the game by rifling the ball into the back of the net.
And he was to grab his second in controversial circumstances. Quick thinking from Joseph Ndo saw him chip the ball the Sligo free-kick over the wall for North to volley home the winner, though Drogheda were incensed as they claimed that the referee never blew his whistle for the free to be taken. In the aftermath, Drogheda captain Derek Prendergast was sent off for protesting.
Eight minutes of injury time were added on, and in the second of those, Ryan Brennan levelled matters for the 10 men of Drogheda, but North was again to torment the opposition with an immediate response.
Sligo went back down the field and he chested a cross down for Anthony Elding who smashed home the winner to cap off one of the most exciting and dramatic cup finals of all-time.
