Walking into the town’s brand new Civic Offices, young kids wait patiently for an autograph from their Cup heroes while the receptionists are all proudly decked out in maroon and blue jerseys as the clock ticks down to the big day.

Amidst the fanfare and photographers snapping shots of the Cup, upstairs, defender James Bolger takes a seat. The Roscommon man is almost bemused by it all.

“Everything is so new to me, even this media day. You might never be in a Cup final again and it’s unbelievable to be part of it. You feel like you’re in the big time – it’s hilarious!” he says, ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Derry City.

“I wouldn’t have dreamt this last year when I was in Virginia. I had to go to America and Sweden to break into the League of Ireland.”

It’s safe to say Bolger has taken the long way round to get to the Aviva Stadium.

The 23-year-old arrived at Weavers Park last July from the Swedish fourth tier, after nearly five years plying his trade in the US.

Iowa and Viginia proved a little different to his beloved Boyle back home.

Drogheda and Derry City targeting glory in 2024 FAI Cup final

“I went to the US in August 2019, I was playing with Galway’s U-19s before that. I was there doing a course before I went to the US. I was in Iowa for four years and then transferred to Virginia for my fifth year.

“I went to a combine for this agency, went on a European tour with them to Malta and England and on the last day they said they had an offer in Sweden for me. I packed all my stuff, moved and was there for three-and-a half months. We had a mid-season break and I was coming home anyway, then the agency offered me to train with Drogheda for a week. So I did that and then I signed.”

But his American dream almost never happened. As a teenager he suffered from Osgood–Schlatter disease, a painful knee issue which often occurs during growth spurts.

“I was at the Sligo/Leitrim academy and with the county U-14s, but I had Osgood–Schlatter and it put me out for months,” he reflected.

“I got knocked off the county panel as I couldn’t train or do anything. The years after that I was just trying to find a way back into football but couldn’t. I was at trials then for the county U-20s and was also on trial with Galway’s U-19s. I had a choice to make and chose Galway.”

The choice paid off as after his spells across the Atlantic and in Scandinavia, Bolger has started every game since he arrived at the Louth club, also endearing himself to the Drogheda faithful with a strike in their second round Cup win over rivals Dundalk in July.

“Sunday will be mental,” he smiles.

“I can’t stop smiling when coming up to Drogheda, the flares and banners. Forty thousand (expected final crowd) on Sunday will be mental. I hope I don’t fall into a shell. I don’t know why but I just laugh when I see and hear all the cheers.

“The way we’ve been playing it suits us, Derry are a possession team whereas we’re counterattacking. We’d fancy ourselves against anyone once we’re on it.

“It (next weekend’s promotion/relegation play-off) is not in our minds. We know how important it is, but since I’ve come in we always think of the next game. We’ll throw everything at the FAI Cup.”