Derry hope for revenge

DOUBLE-chasing Derry will be looking to avenge their only home defeat of the season at the Brandywell tomorrow when Cork City…

DOUBLE-chasing Derry will be looking to avenge their only home defeat of the season at the Brandywell tomorrow when Cork City arrive looking to repeat their October victory in which an own goal mid-way through the second half was enough to decide the tie.

"To be fair we played that match on a Saturday, it was about the first time we'd done that in 25 years, and there was a very unreal atmosphere at the game," says Felix Healy. "It was a very flat game that was decided by an error and so we'll be hoping to put things straight

The atmosphere should certainly be different this time around. A big crowd is expected for a game that presents an opportunity for the hosts to move a step closer to completing the league and Cup double. If there is growing confidence about the team's chances, though, Healy remains cautious about counting any chickens just yet.

"We're eight points clear in the championship, and in the quarters of the cup, so we certainly couldn't ask for any more at this stage of the season, but the problem is stopping people from talking as if both are already won.

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"At this stage in the league, you could say that it would take us throwing it away for us not to win, but things can always go wrong and the cup is still a very tough proposition."

Cork will certainly be hoping to give the home side a hard time in this game and if their record on the longer journeys is anything to go by, then Dave Barry's side may well be on course to cause an upset.

"We've done well up there so far. It's good that we've been able to go to Derry, Finn Harps and Sligo this year and win in all three, so we certainly won't be frightened by the prospect of having to do it all again.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times