LEAGUE CUP FINAL:DESPITE HAVING rowed back somewhat from his suggestion last week that he might play a significantly under-strength side in this evening's EA Sports (League Cup) final at the RSC, Pat Fenlon looks set to give a handful of his club's brighter prospects a run out against Waterford United.
With a key league game against Derry City lurking in the early part of next week, Fenlon is anxious to avoid securing what might turn out to be a pyrrhic victory in the south east.
As it is, Gary Deegan is suspended, while Jason McGuinness and Mark Rossiter are injured, but the Bohemians boss is expected to start with another one or two of his more experienced players on the bench as he keeps one eye on Tuesday’s trip to the Brandywell.
“We’ve got a good group of players,” he says. “Over the last two years, they’ve been fantastic and they know that when we pick teams, we pick them for the benefit of the group.
“We’ll put out a team on Saturday to win the game, we’ll pick a team on Tuesday to win the game and we’ll pick a team on Friday to win the game.
“They know that’s the way we work,” he continues before adding: “They know we pick a team to win the match taking other circumstances into account. It is a cup final and the players are looking forward to it, but we need to see the kids as well because we need to get an idea of whether they can play at the level we need them to play at next season.
“We’ve got some good young guys who have played already in the competition, the likes of Seán Byrne, Marc Hughes and Ryan McAvoy. We want to give them a taste of first-team football for the future rather than just thinking about the one game. But you’ve to try and balance that and make sure they’re looked after in a big game.”
Those three are all expected to start while Owen Heary is likely to return from injury to pursue what would be a first League Cup success for the former Shelbourne captain.
Brian Murphy could also be included for what will probably be the last cup final of his time at the club.
“Obviously, with me being from Waterford, it’s a game I want to play. I’d like to see Waterford get promoted because they’ve a great history in the league, but this is a cup final and we’re going down to win.
“As much as I mightn’t be liked down at home for a few weeks, if we do, I’m sure they’ll get over it.”
Like their visitors, Waterford might be said to have bigger fish to fry in the league just now, but they do seem to be rather enjoying being distracted by the cups.
Stephen Henderson’s side have lost just one game in its last 18 competitive outings and having guided them to wins over both St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers in the knockout games, the manager, who is without Paul McCarthy and Dave Grincell, insists they will not be overawed this evening.
“We know how good Bohemians are, and they’ll be a very hard side to beat, but I also have faith in my players and they won’t for one minute fear the league champions,” he says.
“I think what people have seen over recent months is a team that has produced something very special this year and we’re not finished yet.”
