Derry City fans enjoy themselves after FAI Cup semi-final win

Goals from Jamie McGonigle and Brandon Kavanagh gave the home side the perfect start in the semi-final tie, but Enda Curran netted from the penalty spot against his old to pull a goal back for the First Division men.

However the Candy Stripes in truth should have won by a bigger margin as they missed a host of clear cut opportunities, but in the end it didn’t matter as they booked their place in next month’s showpiece final, which takes place at the Aviva Stadium, on Sunday, November 13th.

Ruaidhrí Higgins men will take on Damien Duff’s Shelbourne in the final, which will be the Brandywell men’s first FAI Cup final since 2014.

Winning cups can prove to be a springboard for further success and the Limavady man is hoping they can finish the job next month.

"You've seen it for years where a club wins a trophy and it's then a catalyst for them to become more successful and we're hoping that's us,” insisted the Derry boss.

"Our goal from the outset of the competition was to get to the final. We're there now. I've been to three as a player, it's my first as a manager so it will be an extremely proud moment.

“The hairs are standing up on the back of my neck thinking about it. I think if we were to get this over the line it would be the proudest day in my life but it's not about me; Alan Reynolds, Mark McChrystal, Conor Loughery, the support staff, all the staff, it's for the supporters our players, the players' families. We're delighted to get there and really looking forward to it

"But we want Patrick McEleney to be lifting that trophy at the end of the game - that's the plan."