FAI Cup Preview: Derry City -v- Cork City

Derry City won 7-0 against Oliver Bond Celtic in the FAI Cup first round

Derry City won 7-0 against Oliver Bond Celtic in the FAI Cup first round Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes were left frustrated last week as yet again they missed out on an opportunity to gain ground on the top two. Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk were set to face one another which presented them with this chance. A second-half equaliser from Drogheda United halted them, however. 

It stretched their unbeaten streak to eight games but too many of these were draws – including a scoreless draw in Derry against Shamrock Rovers the week before. 

It means that the cup will probably allow their most realistic chances of silverware this year as a result. This season will mark ten years since their Aviva Stadium triumph against St. Patrick’s Athletic. Their cup form since has been patchy and have not reached the semi-finals since 2016.  

Ruaidhiri Higgins warned of any complacency ahead of the game. 

“They (Cork City) are a Premier Division club playing in the first division,” said Higgins.

“Their away form is exceptional. They have won eleven on the road and drew two. They will come and have a right go at us”. 

He pressed the need to play to their own strengths. “We will continue to play the way that we have and hope that we take our chances when they come around. Reaching a final is a special occasion and one that we hope can provide to our fans”

CORK CITY

It proved to be a successful weekend last time out for the First Division leaders. They recovered to win the Cork derby in Cobh thanks to a Ruairi Keating double. Meanwhile, Galway United went down to Bray Wanderers at Terryland. 



This helped stretch the Leesiders lead at the top to seven points. This win came after two games at home in which they failed to score. It means that they can now focus on the cup trip to the Brandywell with a degree of confidence. 

To win, however, they will have to improve on their recent form in the knock-out competition. They have failed to progress beyond the second round for the past three seasons. 

Colin Healy explained why he adjusted the side at St. Coleman’s Park. "I looked at the general conditions for the game, and I played the conditions. I knew there wasn’t going to be much football played. I knew it was going to be a fight down here. I knew it would be a scrappy game. So, we made changes to suit those conditions." 

He expressed the upbeat nature within the squad ahead of this task. "We will go and get ready for Derry. That is a game we will be having a go at. Why not? We can afford to. We have a big squad if we have to make changes.”

Referee: Rob Clarke

MATCH STATS



Both sides have faced each other in the FAI Cup nine times. Derry have had the better of these encounters with five wins to City’s four. Interestingly, Cork City won the first tie between the sides in 1985/86 and the last one before now in 2015.

Derry’s last victory took place in 2008.

They drew at Turner’s Cross before prevailing in a penalty shoot-out. Derry also won in a replay in the only final involving them.

BETTING

Derry City 2/7, Draw 10/3, Cork City 9/1

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-1 Cork City  

Derry City

Injured: Ciaron Harkin

Doubtful: Cian Kavanagh

Suspended: None

Cork City 

Injured: Alec Byrne

Doubtful: Cian Murphy

Suspended: None

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile