The Sports Direct FAI Cup final between Derry City and Drogheda United has drawn a new a record attendance for a decider between non-Dublin clubs.
Supporters plotted the path to the capital from Foyleside and the Wee County to cheer their sides on at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with both sets of fans bringing plenty of noise and colour to the stadium.
And an attendance of 38,723 was confirmed by the FAI – a figure which marks a new record for a domestic decider not featuring a club from Dublin.
The 2023 final between Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic broke the overall record last time out, with 43,881 turning out.
Sunday’s attendance marks an incredible growth of over 20,000 fans in 10 years, with that match-up between Derry and Pats attracting just 17,038.
While 24,210 fans were in Dublin 4 for the showpiece clash between Cork City and Dundalk in 2017, every final since has had an attendance of over 30,000 fans – with the exception of 2020, when no fans were permitted due to Covid-19 restrictions.
