Markey targets FAI Cup glory after return from injury
The Derry City midfielder beats a "season-ending" June prognosis to put himself in contention for the November 8 showpiece at the Aviva Stadium
Derry City FC midfielder Darragh Markey is eager to play his part in next weekend’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium after making a remarkable recovery from what initially appeared to be a season-ending hamstring injury suffered against his former club Drogheda United in June.
Markey, who was part of the Drogheda side that broke Derry hearts in 2024 as the Boynesiders secured a 2-0 victory over the Candystripes to claim just their second-ever FAI Cup title, is now months ahead of schedule following a successful rehabilitation programme over the past few months.
Given the severity of the 29-year-old’s injury, it was initially feared that his season was over. However, he has made a gradual return to first-team action in recent weeks, earning his first start in Derry’s final league game of the campaign away to already-relegated Sligo Rovers.
The creative midfielder will now be hoping that he has made enough of an impression and has the fitness to work his way into interim manager Mark Connolly’s plans for the Candystripes’ November 8 showpiece against Waterford, where the Club Orange FAI Cup and a place in next year’s UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds will be on the line.
“I was told that my season was done back in June, but I just came in every day and did my rehab right. I was told that if there was a cup final, I might be fit enough to make a squad, but that was even a very small possibility at the time.”
“Two months in, I was feeling quite good, and it looked like I was ahead of schedule. It’s continued that way, and luckily I’m back in around the squad now, which is fantastic. I luckily got in with about a month of training before a cup final to play for. I’m so grateful for the lads in helping me get this far.”
“I’m just grateful to be kicking a ball again, to be honest. I thought it would be January or February before then, so I’m just trying to embrace it all and take it all in.”
It is Markey’s first experience of an occasion of this magnitude on Foyleside, and the scale of the event, alongside the backing of the city for its football club, has been an eye-opener for the Dubliner.
The Candystripes have been busy in recent weeks, with a number of school visits and media engagements as cup fever grips the Maiden City. With fond memories of the 2024 decider, Markey is hoping to play his part once again, whatever role that may entail, in helping Derry get over the line next Sunday.
However, he is under no illusions about the challenge of standing in their way in the form of Waterford.
The Blues have been one of the stories of the season since Graham Coughlan took charge following Jon Daly’s dismissal in May. Waterford have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround, embarking on a 13-game unbeaten run and climbing out of the relegation zone before eventually finishing seventh in the league.
They also boast one of the division’s most dangerous attacking partnerships, with veteran striker Pádraig Amond alongside the highly sought-after Tommy Lonergan, who has attracted interest from a number of English Premier League clubs in recent months.
Markey, meanwhile, knows exactly what awaits Derry at the Aviva and is determined to make the most of the occasion.
“It’s a special day. It’s not a case of being there and ticking it off the bucket list. Once you’ve experienced an FAI Cup final, you just want to get back there again and again. It’s such a special feeling, and for the lads who are going in for their first one, I think they’ve been told what to expect from it.”
“The buzz around the place already. Even little things like getting your suits fitted, going in to visit the schools and the whole buzz around the city is just unreal. I think the relationship between the fans and the club has grown a lot as well, so I think everyone is just absolutely buzzing for the day.”
“It’s going to be a very tough game. Both teams have had really positive second halves of their seasons after what was a really disappointing opening half. But we’re both riding the crest of a wave.”
“It’s going to be a really tough game. We’ll have to make sure that we don’t let the occasion get ahead of us, but the lads are in great form; we have a lot of confidence, and hopefully that will help us to get over the line.”