Derry City win League of Ireland's Cairdeas Cup G2 title after heroic display in Dublin

Derry City's Down Syndrome Futsal Team upset the odds at the weekend by lifting the Group Two title at the League of Ireland's annual Cairdeas Cup tournament in Dublin on Sunday.

The understrength Candy Stripes travelled south with a very young squad and with no substitutes available, meaning the Brandywell heroes had to play every minute of their six games against St. Patrick's Athletic, Galway United, Drogheda United , Athlone Town, Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne.

Derry City celebrate winning the LOI Cairdeas Cup Festival G2 final at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Derry City celebrate winning the LOI Cairdeas Cup Festival G2 final at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

And despite that numerical squad disadvantage, the Derry players rose to the occasion as an opening streak of five successive victories set up a tournament defining meeting with the other stand-out side in Section Two, Sligo.

Both teams went into the game sitting on 15 points and a tight, tense match saw the Bit O'Red take the lead with only five to go, only for Derry and Ireland striker Keigan Taylor to pop up with a wonder goal in the final seconds to level the match and see the Candystripes take the trophy on goal difference after a competition record of five wins and 1 draw, scoring an amazing 27 goals in six games.

A Derry City player celebrates during the LOI Cairdeas Cup Festival final at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

It was a remarkable achievement for Derry at a competition which continues to grow year on year. This year's event saw an increase to 14 teams participate, including newcomers Athlone Town and Galway United. The tournament format sees teams split into two groups.

In the group, Drogheda United powered out of the blocks with a comprehensive victory over St Patrick’s while Derry opened with a comfortable win against Shelbourne. Both Dublin outfits dusted themselves down and took three points in their next encounters while the Candystripes showed their title credentials with a victory over Drogheda.

When Sligo then pipped Drogheda, the stage was set for the final showdown and Taylor's tournament winning wonder volley after controlling superbly on his chest!

And holders Finn Harps made it a north west double by retaining the Group 1 title. That section saw holders Harps, previous winners Dundalk, Group Two holders Waterford, and the experienced quartet of Wexford, Bohemians, Cork City and Bray Wanderers competing.

Action during the LOI Cairdeas Cup Festival final match between Derry City and Drogheda United at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

There were goals aplenty in the opening rounds of the group with Cork City and Bohs both hitting five, while Dundalk and Wexford FC shared the spoils in a six goal thriller.

Harps early victory over former winners Dundalk put the Donegal lads in the boxseat and with the sides below them taking points off each other and goalkeeper David Crawford in impressive form, the Finn Park lads extended their lead at the top of the group with wins over Bohemians, Cork City and Bray Wanderers confirming their victory.

With League of Ireland officials Cian Nelson and Derek O'Neill organising the day, it was left to League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon to present the north west duo of Derry City and Finn Harps with their Cairdeas Cup trophies to round off an exciting and enjoyable occasion.