St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Aviva Stadium, 3.30pm
DERRY CITY AND St Patrick’s Athletic meet in Sunday’s FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium, a repeat of the 2006 final when the Candystripes lifted the trophy for the fourth time in their history.
For Pat’s, the drought now stands at 51 years – they last lifted the cup in 1961, just their second success.
However, the Dublin side go into the final match of the season as strong favourites, given their impressive form in running Sligo close to the league title and an extended run in Europe.
Earlier this week, defender Ger O’Brien spoke to TheScore.ie about the pressure that comes not having won the cup in over five decades.
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When asked whether manager Liam Buckley had mentioned St. Pat’s six losing finals since they beat Drumcondra all those years ago, O’Brien said no.
“No he hasn’t spoken at all about it. I’ve been a Pat’s fan all my life and my family are Pat’s.
“So, I know what comes with it. But even when we drew Crumlin the first round, the talk had begun, so as a group, as footballers we don’t really think about it.
“Supporters think about it and it will be mentioned to us every day this week. But if we just concentrate on training today and Wednesday, Thursday; we’ll get ourselves ready for Sunday.
“We’re just really looking forward to the game. These occasions don’t come around often in players’ careers so it’s something we’re really looking forward to.”
Derry may have finished 16 points behind the Saints in the league but Declan Devine finally has a fully fit side to choose from, as the side from the North seek their third cup triumph inside the last decade.
“We are absolute underdogs,” Devine told the Derry Journal.
“St Pats are a quality side. If we are going to be successful, we are going to need everyone to be at the top of their game. It’s all about the squad
and not just about the players who start the game.
“We’ve had a good week of training and bonding sessions. To be honest, it’s been very relaxed but that all changes now as the final approaches,” he added.
In team news, Mark Rossiter misses out as he continues to recover from a knee injury originally picked up against the same opponents last May.
Darren Meenan also misses out due to a shoulder problem.
Greg Bolger remains a doubt with an ankle problem, though Buckley is hopeful he will be available, and goalkeeper Barry Murphy will be fit after missing the final league game of the season against Cork City with an ankle injury.
Devine, meanwhile, has been reluctant to give any clues as to his line-up. Derry have no injury worries ahead of the game.
Preview: St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City, FAI Cup Final
St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Aviva Stadium, 3.30pm
DERRY CITY AND St Patrick’s Athletic meet in Sunday’s FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium, a repeat of the 2006 final when the Candystripes lifted the trophy for the fourth time in their history.
For Pat’s, the drought now stands at 51 years – they last lifted the cup in 1961, just their second success.
However, the Dublin side go into the final match of the season as strong favourites, given their impressive form in running Sligo close to the league title and an extended run in Europe.
When asked whether manager Liam Buckley had mentioned St. Pat’s six losing finals since they beat Drumcondra all those years ago, O’Brien said no.
“No he hasn’t spoken at all about it. I’ve been a Pat’s fan all my life and my family are Pat’s.
“So, I know what comes with it. But even when we drew Crumlin the first round, the talk had begun, so as a group, as footballers we don’t really think about it.
“We’re just really looking forward to the game. These occasions don’t come around often in players’ careers so it’s something we’re really looking forward to.”
Derry may have finished 16 points behind the Saints in the league but Declan Devine finally has a fully fit side to choose from, as the side from the North seek their third cup triumph inside the last decade.
“We are absolute underdogs,” Devine told the Derry Journal.
“St Pats are a quality side. If we are going to be successful, we are going to need everyone to be at the top of their game. It’s all about the squad
and not just about the players who start the game.
In team news, Mark Rossiter misses out as he continues to recover from a knee injury originally picked up against the same opponents last May.
Darren Meenan also misses out due to a shoulder problem.
Greg Bolger remains a doubt with an ankle problem, though Buckley is hopeful he will be available, and goalkeeper Barry Murphy will be fit after missing the final league game of the season against Cork City with an ankle injury.
Devine, meanwhile, has been reluctant to give any clues as to his line-up. Derry have no injury worries ahead of the game.
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Derry City FAI Cup final Preview St. Patrick's Athletic