FAI Cup Replay Preview: Derry City -v- Dundalk

Derry City and Dundalk FC will once again battle it out for a place in the FAI Cup final at the Brandywell tomorrow night following their thrilling 2-2 draw in Dundalk on Sunday.

DERRY CITY

There is something magic about Derry City and the cup which was evident at Oriel Park on Sunday afternoon. Despite trailing by two goals at the interval, the Candystripes rescued the tie as a result of second-half goals from Rory Patterson and substitute, Ronan Curtis.

The Foylesiders will go into Tuesday’s FAI Cup semi-final replay brimming with confidence and so they should having rescued the replay late-on at the home of the holders.

The replay was earned following Curtis’ superbly taken goal in the 86^th minute – although the Lilywhites’ defending prior to the attacker’s stinging right-footed strike left a lot to be desired.

Despite Dundalk being two goals to the good at half-time, Derry acquitted themselves excellently and can class themselves as being extremely unlucky to have trailed by such a margin.

The visitors pinned Dundalk back for long periods in the first-half, with the link-up between Barry McNamee, Aaron McEneff and Rory Patterson being a feature of the match. The second-half was end-to-end as Derry snatched the unlikeliest of results to send their loyal travelling contingent into hysteria.

Kenny Shiels’ men showed real resolve to come back having created several early openings, however, their manager was seemingly less than impressed following the announcement that the re-match will take place just over 48-hours later, insinuating that his player’s will not have a sufficient recovery period.

Shiels’ feelings are understandable, especially seeing as the Candystripes appear to be in the midst of a mini injury crisis as it stands. ‘Skipper Ryan McBride returned yesterday only to be replaced shortly after half-time through injury and is expected to miss the replay.

Dean Jarvis came into yesterday’s game carrying a knock, while central defender Max Karner appears set to sit-out the replay, also through injury.

In the aftermath of the drawn game, Shiels spoke with Drive105 and offered his thoughts on the match and the scheduling of the replay.

Shiels said: “We could have won it, and we could have lost it. I’m sure Dundalk will be feeling the same. I didn’t think that we deserved to be 2-0 down, so we showed good character and lets home that we can continue to show good character.

“It’s impossible (to get the players recovered). There is a sequence that you go though and we can’t do that. We haven’t got the luxury of being able to rest players. We certainly are disappointed (with the fixture being set) but we feel confident of finishing it off tomorrow night.”

DUNDALK FC

Yet another game on Dundalk’s congested fixture calendar. Following Sunday’s draw, the holders face a daunting trek north to Foyleside as their avalanche of fixtures continue.

The Lilywhites made eight changes to their starting line-up yesterday, something especially unusual seeing as Dundalk generally have continuity in their team selections.

The decisions to leave Brian Gartland and Gary Rogers out of the team in particular came under some scrutiny, it is expected that both will return to the fold for tomorrow night’s match at the Brandywell.

Leading 2-0 as a result of goals from Dean Shiels and Ciaran Kilduff – the Lilywhites surrendered their two-goal buffer during a steadfast second-half. The game’s main turning point came in the 49^th minute when Ciaran Kilduff headed a glorious Patrick McEleney cross against the Derry post.

Had Kilduff’s effort nestled in the top-corner, it would most certainly have been game over, however, the Candystripes came on strong as the game wore on and Dundalk may well be relieved not to have actually lost the match. The visitors undoubtedly finished the stronger of the two sides.

Dundalk though will be pretty confident of over-turning Derry tomorrow night. They have won on their last three visits to the Brandywell and despite Kenny Shiels’ men having a partisan crowd backing them, the Lilywhites will be poised for a meeting with Cork City in November -  especially if the likes of Ronan Finn, Gartland and Rogers return to the starting XI.

Opening goal scorer, Dean Shiels sustained a nasty-looking wrist injury in the process of finishing the net. He will almost certainly the re-match with his father’s side.

Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell will also miss the game through suspension.

Speaking with LMFM’s Sunday Sport after Sunday’s game, Stephen Kenny said: “We’re disappointed to concede two goals, it’s not like us, but you can’t have a perfect performance within three days of a very intense European game.

“We’ll have to make sure that we’re ready (for the replay). We’re confident, but we’ll have to make sure that we’re ready.”

Referee: Unknown.

MATCH FACTS

This will be the first replay between the sides in the FAI Cup.

Dundalk have never beaten Derry in the Cup at the Brandywell.

The have kept clean sheets on each of their last three visits to Foyleside while also outscoring their hosts 12-3 during the past five fixtures between the sides at the Brandywell

BETTING

Derry City 12/5; Draw 14/5; Dundalk FC 4/5.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1-2 Dundalk FC

Derry City

Injured: Ryan McBride, Max Karner

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk FC

Injured: Dean Shiels

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Stephen O’Donnell