Cork City -v- Derry City

HE might have deployed the fringe players in earlier rounds but Derry City boss Stephen Kenny is expected to roll out his top stars as the Candystripes travel south to face Cork City in the EA Sports Cup final at Turner’s Cross on Saturday evening (kick-off 6pm).

While they are still in with a great chance of winning the league, Kenny will be taking no chances on Leeside this evening as Derry go in search of their 10^th league cup title.

After dominating this tournament in the past seven years, Derry captain Kevin Deery will hope to lift the trophy come 8pm tomorrow evening. Kenny, however, does have a couple of injury worries with doubts over Eddie McCallion (calf), Shane McEleney, while Owen Morrisson remains an absentee.

"For a lot of them it’s their first cup final", Derry City manager Stephen Kenny told Extratime.ie. "The club have done terrific and everyone behind the scenes has worked extremely hard to galvanise the club over the last couple of seasons. To win the First Division was a high point. We’re in the Premier and leading it at the moment and are also in a cup final. It’s a great opportunity and one that we want to grasp. We’ll enjoy it.”

“They are two great clubs. Two clubs who have good tradition. Derry is a great football city. The club is very important to the city. This is a chance for two great clubs; from the north and the south who are meeting in the final. We’ve been on a great run this season and want to win a trophy. Football is very important in the city. There are great players who want to express themselves. They’re from working class areas but are players who believe in themselves and want to be the best that they can be.”

Speaking to extratime.ie Derry City's David McDaid said: “It’s brilliant with the cup final coming up and the league is exciting too. There is a lot to look forward to. I want to win a lot of medals with Derry.”

Cork may have home advantage but they are still underdogs against the premier division high-flyers and Leesiders boss Tommy Dunne also has several injury worries going into the game.

Star midfielder Gearóid Morrissey, man of the match last Tuesday night in their win over Waterford United, will face a late fitness test along with both of the team’s recognised right-backs, Neal Horgan and Ian Turner. Daryl Horgan is, of course, cup tied, while Stephen Mulcahy remains a long-term absentee.

"For everybody involved in the club it's something we've been looking forward to it since we got in to the final", Cork City manager Tommy Dunne told Extratime.ie "It's a big occasion and it's in Turners Cross, our home ground. Everything about it is something to look forward to. We're hoping that we can perform on the day and you never know if you perform on the day you might get the win."

“I can’t wait, it’s a great chance for us. We have to be ready for it, and we will be”, City striker Vincent Escudé-Candau said speaking to Extratime.ie. “The most important this for us is the league for the season because we have to be promoted. But to play in a final is a great chance and up until Saturday that’s all we’ll be thinking about.”

Cork City
 

Injured: Stephen Mulcahy
Doubtful: Gearóid Morrissey, Ian Turner, Neal Horgan.
Suspended: None.
Cup tied: Daryl Horgan.

Derry City
Injured: Owen Morrisson.
Doubtful: Shane McEleney, Eddie McCallion
Suspended: None.

Referee: Paul Tuite.
Paddy Power Odds: Cork City 11/4, Draw 12/5, Derry City 10/11.
Extratime prediction: Derry to edge it, 2-1.