James-Taylor aiming for 'life-changing' FAI Cup win

Douglas James-Taylor wasn't banking on an FAI Cup run when he made the move to Drogheda United back in May but he now aims to lift the famous old trophy at the Aviva Stadium in November.

James-Taylor’s goals have been a big reason for his side’s run to a semi-final meeting with Wexford; the London-born forward scored a hat-trick in a 9-0 third round trouncing of non-league Wilton United, before hitting a brace in a 4-1 victory over Athlone Town in the quarter-final.

Add that to the six goals he has contributed to Drogheda’s bid for Premier Division survival and his loan arrival from sister club Walsall United has proven a decent bit of business for Kevin Doherty’s team.

James-Taylor had never set foot in Ireland before his move to Louth but success in the national cup competition would go down as a "life-changing" experience, he told RTÉ Sport at the semi-final media day at the Aviva Stadium.

"Before I came, I hadn’t fully considered the cup but when you’re in it and in the Aviva Stadium - this is my first time in the Aviva Stadium - this is why you play football. You play football to play in these amazing stadiums in front of loads of fans, hopefully score a goal, lift a trophy.

"When I say it’s life-changing it’s because this is the realisation of the dreams that you’ve had for years and years.

"Hopefully," he pauses… "No - when - it comes true, it will be an amazing experience."

James-Taylor (l) with Drogs team-mate Luke Heeney

James-Taylor’s manifestation of cup success is in keeping with a determination he has shown to make the move to Ireland in a bid for more playing time.

"I was coming off the bench regularly (at Walsall) but I know that you get into the swing of things when you’re starting every game and you’re playing 90 minutes," he says.

"I feel like you’re getting in a better flow and you learn a lot more as well, which the manager there [Mat Sadler] recognised that it was important for me to get out and play consistent men’s football and learn the trade. I feel like it’s really benefitted me coming over here."

The journey to Drogheda has been a long one for the 22-year-old, who spent time at Manchester City as a youngster, before a stint at Salford, where he caught the eye of Stoke City.

"I was born in London," he says. "I started when I was quite young, maybe four. Then I moved up to Manchester with my mum. I played football in Manchester but I would see my dad every other weekend, go down and play in London.

"I was playing all over the country really at different stages. I was at a Man City select squad for three and a bit years. I got released from there, which was a life experience. Lots of people have to go through it and bounce back.

"I continued playing local football and actually went back to the City select squad. That’s where I met Les Caffery, a scout for Salford at the time. I went to Salford, did well there, went to Stoke, ended up on loan at Walsall and then signed for Walsall.

"And now I’m in Ireland. I’d never been to Ireland before. I’m enjoying it. It’s not too dissimilar in terms of way of life, it’s not that big of a culture change."

Strike duo: Pierrot and James-Taylor

Scoring 11 goals in all competitions is one way of settling into a new country and James-Taylor has been helped by a productive strike partnership with Frantz Pierrot.

"I think people are enjoying the nostalgia of having two up front," he says.

"It was nice the last game (against Derry) to assist for him, and him score off something that I’ve given him.

"We’ve been waiting for the moment where we fully give each other something on the pitch and it was really nice in that game.

While James-Taylor is loving life in Drogheda, the club’s supporters have enjoyed watching him light up Weavers Park.

"The people, I think, there’s so much energy and passion, in the league and even around town," he says of the support he has received.

"You go outside and everyone is supporting you and asking how you are and how you’re finding things. That’s been really nice and it’s been really easy to settle in."

With Drogheda hosting First Division Wexford on Sunday, they will be strong favourites to book an Aviva Stadium meeting with Derry City on 10 November.

Their only experience of lifting the trophy came in 2005, and if James-Taylor’s goals can help end that drought and ensure league survival, then his stay in Drogheda will have changed many more lives than just his own.

Watch the FAI Cup semi-final, Drogheda United v Wexford, on Sunday from 2.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app

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