Shels run of form gives them a hunger for Cup
 By David Thorpe
While the eyes of many Shelbourne and Derry City fans may be turned towards
Europe at the moment both managers are firmly focused on this weekend’s
FAI Cup third-round clash.
Derry manager Stephen Kenny said: “All teams want to win trophies.
It is what I will be judged on as a manager, what the players will remember
when they retire.
“European games are great for raising the profile of the club and
we want to win them but we won’t be neglecting the FAI Cup.”
Derry couldn’t have received a much more difficult draw as they
travel to Tolka Park to face Eircom League leaders Shelbourne but Kenny
believes his team can progress and feels there are many positives to be
read into facing Shelbourne at this stage.
He said: “With all the distractions of Europe and chasing the League
title, it might have been a bit more difficult to motivate the lads for
a match against one of the so called weaker teams, but they will all be
up for facing Shelbourne, no matter what the competition.”
Derry have been on an excellent run of late but will be missing long-serving
defender Peter Hutton when they face Shelbourne.
The team captain was diagnosed with blood poisoning recently and is expected
to be out for a month.
Hutton’s place in recent weeks has gone to Ken Oman who should again
deputise.
For his part Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon is sweating on the fitness
of star-striker Jason Byrne who has been struggling with injury of late.
Glen Crowe will continue to deputise if the Republic of Ireland international
fails a late fitness test.
Shels have set a fierce pace at the top of the Eircom League table in
recent weeks but Fenlon is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “We have hit a bit of form lately but so have Derry. It
will be a tight game which might be decided by whichever team gets the
a bit of luck on the night. Home advantage could be a big factor as well
because with two teams as evenly matched as us and Derry it will be little
things like that which prove crucial.”
Shelbourne have traditionally been an excellent cup team — winning
the trophy three times in the 90s —and having failed to lift a trophy
last season they may be slightly hungrier in front of their own fans and
should progress to the next round.
Verdict: Home win
Results: Bohemians 2-1 Shelbourne; Cork City 1-1 Derry City; Sligo Rovers
2-0 Bray Wanderers; St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 Longford Town; Waterford
United 2-3 Drogheda United.
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