FAI Cup Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Derry City

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths will be making their first ever Quarter Final appearance in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup when they face high-flying Derry City at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday evening.

Shane Keegan will be hoping his team can bounce back after losing out to Bohemians recently in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup with a heavy 4-0 defeat in Dalymount Park.

Speaking of his optimism ahead of the tie, Keegan told wexfordyouthsfc.ie: “Derry are an excellent side but we’ve given them two cracking games already this season and we’ll be confident of making it third time lucky.”

Youths reached this stage of the competition by defeating Sligo Rovers 2-1 in the previous round with a late Andy Mulligan goal, and will be hoping home advantage comes to their aid again.

They could potentially have to do without the services of Danny Furlong, who is a doubt but Keegan welcomes back Paul Murphy, Eric Molloy and Gary Delaney who have all returned back to match fitness.

The two sides met back in June when a Nathan Boyle goal was enough to give Derry a home win after a thrilling game in their last meeting in Wexford. Derry came away with a 2-1 win thanks to an injury time Rory Paterson goal.

DERRY CITY

Derry will be hoping to continue their excellent league form and FAI Cup pedigree when they look to continue their run to a third FAI Cup final appearance in five years against Wexford Youths on Friday night.

Having beaten Youths twice already this season Kenny Shiels is remaining cautious ahead of a difficult cup-tie. Speaking to derrycityfc.net Shiels said: “You don’t have any easy games in this league. We isolate our games and prepare for each on its merits and we work hard in our preparation.”

Derry advanced to the quarter final stage when they beat Bohemians 2-0 in Dalymount Park with considerable ease while they faltered in their chase of Dundalk last time out in the league with a 0-0 draw at home to Galway United.

If they are going to reach the semi finals, they will have to do so without the services of Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry and Max Kraner while Lukas Schubert is a doubt as he faces a problem with his knee.

Friday evening’s tie is the first in a double header against Wexford for Derry and the Candystripes will be hoping to make it four from four after two previous victories in the league this season.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

This is Wexford Youths’ first ever quarter final appearance in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, while Derry will be hoping to make it three finals in five years.

Derry have won the FAI Cup a total of five times with their 3-2 extra time win over St. Patrick’s Athletic in 2012 the last time that they emerged victorious.

The two sides have met twice in league this season so far this season with Derry winning both games by the odd goal.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 4/1; Draw 11/4; Derry City 4/7.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1-2 Derry City

Wexford Youths

Injured: None

Doubtful: Danny Furlong

Suspended: None

Derry City

Injured: Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry and Max Kraner

Doubtful: Lukas Schubert

Suspended: None