Tens of thousands of Derry City fans, hoping to cheer their team to cup final glory, are heading to Dublin.

Around 20,000 Candystripes fans are expected to descend on the Irish capital as their team aim to bring the FAI Cup back to the North West for the seventh time.

Among the red and white army at the Aviva Stadium will be Lorcan and Charlie, pupils from Steelstown Primary School.

“We’re traveling to Dublin for the game on Sunday and staying in a hotel, so it’s going to be a great day,” Lorcan said. BBC Radio North West Foyle Today program.

“I am very hopeful that Derry will take the cup home.”

Derry’s last FAI Cup win was in 2022 when beat Shelbourne 4-0 to claim the cup for the first time in a decade.

They will face Drogheda United in Sunday’s final.

Stormont’s Transport Minister has deployed additional resources to ensure roadworks on part of the A5, the main road from Londonderry to Dublin, are completed on Saturday ahead of the Red and White Army’s passage south.

A fleet of special fan buses will leave Derry city center early on Sunday morning, as will a special cup final train from Derry to Dublin.

Charlie and Lorcan were among the crowd of superfan pupils who were allowed to swap lessons for a red and white fan day at the school this week.

They are both soccer fans and hope to play for their “favorite club in the world” when they grow up.

“I play goalkeeper on my school team and I also play forward for my club outside of school,” Charlie said.

“I love football and my dream is to play for Derry one day.”

Lorcan said as part of the school festivities, they held an honor guard for the team and met some of their favorite players.

Charlie and Lorcan believe it will be a close match at the Aviva Stadium, but are confident the Candystripes will come out on top.

Teacher Rory O’Donnell said staff and pupils had been working hard over the past few days decorating the entire school in Derry city colours.

“Having that connection with the team and that connection with the community is very important,” said O’Donnell, an avid Derry City fan.

It was a season in which the fight for the league title faltered.

The team’s journey to the final had generated a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the city, said Derry Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

“I have experienced first-hand the special relationship that exists between the team and the fans of this wonderful football club,” he said.

“Fan support is like having a 12th man on the field and can take the players to new heights this weekend.”

Braelin, a six-year-old City fan, and his father, Darren Toland, are among the crowds heading to Dublin.

Braelin attended his first game at Brandywell when he was just 10 weeks old.

He has no doubt about the result he wants on Sunday.

“I hope they win, three nil for Derry. I hope they win, I hope they go up again on Monday. We’re going to City,” Foyle told BBC Radio.

Darren said they were both optimistic about their team’s chances of cup glory.

“There are thousands of people on the road,” he said.

“Once everyone is there, the buzz will begin, the place will vibrate as always, followed by Derry.”

Derry City Supporters Liaison Officer Karen Pyne said she was nervous and excited at the same time.

The anticipation and support among fans, especially the younger ones, was incredible, he added.

“The young people are just incredible, they love the excitement, they love the players. “They’re just red and white, they’re the City through and through,” he said.

“It definitely encourages the players, 100%. It gives them that little boost.

“Now I get goosebumps even thinking about it.”