By Cathal Dervan

Drogheda United captured the FAI Cup for the first time when second half goals from Gavin Whelan and Declan O’Brien shocked Cork in Sunday’s Lansdowne Road final.

A bumper crowd of almost 25,000 saw Drogheda produce a stirring performance to defy the odds and deny City a League and Cup double.

Drogs boss Paul Doolin was full of praise for his team afterwards “I thought we were excellent today,” he said. “Defensively, organizationally, everything, we were absolutely superb. It’s been an exceptional season for us. We’re growing as a club, we’ve got a young side and hopefully we can get up there to be one of the top sides in the coming seasons.”

Opposite number Damien Richardson also praised the Drogheda effort after his side failed to get out of first gear on a disappointing afternoon for the Leesiders.

Richardson said, “It’s been a magnificent season for the Eircom League, probably the best I remember, and we can look forward to next year. It was great to be a part of it today, but we didn’t really get going.

“The conditions weren’t in our favour, but congratulations to Drogheda. They have invested a lot in the club and it’s great to see that investment getting rewarded.”

Cork criticized the state of the Lansdowne Road pitch after the three autumn rugby internationals. City defender Danny Murphy said, “If League of Ireland football and the FAI Cup are to go places, they really need to find someone happy with us playing at their ground. They obviously aren’t happy with us playing at Lansdowne Road. They had no interest in cutting the grass for the game. The pitch was a disgrace.”

Richardson also criticized the decision to play the cup final on the first Sunday in December. He said, “We play summer soccer now. I was absolutely freezing on the touchline, the ball was bouncing awkwardly and coming up at different heights and the players didn’t know how the ball was going to come off the surface.

“It was a terrific occasion but I think there was more in both teams to give to the fans and the television audience. I’d love to see it played earlier in the year when it would be much more conducive to the quality that is in the league at the moment.”

Boss Kinnear?

JOE Kinnear has claimed he is on a shortlist for the Irish manager’s job as the FAI bid to step up their search for a new boss.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney was at the George Best funeral in Belfast on Saturday alongside chief target Martin O’Neill but the vacancy was not discussed.

Delaney is anxious to find out once and for all if O’Neill is interested in the position before looking at other candidates, including Kinnear.

The former Wimble-don and Nottingham Forest boss has also been linked with a new role as director of football at Scottish club Hearts, but he is keen on the Ireland job.

“It’s flattering to be on the Ireland shortlist,” claimed Kinnear. “Everyone knows it’s always been an ambition of mine to lead my country’s football team. I’ve stayed close to the game and I see at least one match a week. My appetite for football remains undiminished.

“Hearts have made an approach to my agent and I am very keen to find out more about the job. The prospect of working in Scotland at a club that is clearly going places excites me.”

Meanwhile, the FAI’s search for a new boss has intensified after they confirmed Dublin friendlies against Sweden and Holland in March and August respectively.

Irish midfielder Graham Kavanagh wants to see a new man in charge by the time Sweden visit Lansdowne Road on March 1.

“It’s imperative that a new manager is in place before the game with Sweden,” Kavanagh said. “You can appreciate the FAI taking their time over appointing a new manager, yet while the European Championships appear a long time away, a new manager needs to have a lot of preparation.

“He needs to look at the squad, and with a few players having retired he will need to look at other players to bring in. So it’s vital they make a decision over the next month or two, and then everybody will know where they stand.”

Former Ireland boss Brian Kerr has been linked with the managerial vacancies at Portsmouth and Southampton after a dramatic weekend on the south coast of England. Saints boss Harry Redknapp quit on Saturday in a bid to get his old job back at Portsmouth but Southampton have rejected Pompey’s offer of compensation for Redknapp’s services.

As a result Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has now engaged in talks with Kerr, Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez and others as he looks to appoint a successor to Frenchman Alain Perrin.

Dricco’s Return

IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll hopes to make his comeback for Leinster in the Celtic League clash against Ulster on December 26, over six months after he was speak tackled by New Zealand captain Tana Umaga in the first test against the Lions.

“Brian’s jumping to get playing again, but he has initially planned to return in the last week in December,” said his father and agent Frank O’Driscoll.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika can’t wait to get his captain onto the field. “From a leadership point of view and playing quality, he will give us the depth we need,” said Cheika. “Brian did have a lot of involvement off the field but, thankfully that involvement is now coming on the field.

“It will be great to have him back sometime this month as he is a very talented footballer.”

Under-17s Dates

THE Irish under 17 side will come up against Romania, Israel and Serbia and Montenegro when they host the elite qualifying stage of the European Championships in March.

Sean McCaffrey will also be in charge when the Irish under-19s attempt to qualify for their Euro finals in a tough group against hosts Slovakia, Turkey and Georgia in May.

“I am very happy with the results of the draws and in particular with the fact that Ireland has been chosen to host the under-17 qualifying matches,” McCaffrey said.

“Both groups are extremely tough but I am confident our squads will compete to the highest level of their ability.”