Derry City v Bluebell United, Ford FAI Cup, Tuesday 7.45pm
Derry City will be looking to progress to the quarter finals of the Ford FAI Cup tonight when Leinster Senior League side Bluebell travel to the Brandywell for the replay of their third round fixture. The visitors will be heartened by their impressive performance on Friday when they proved more than a handful for the Candystripes and may feel that they could have nicked the game on the night.
It is little exaggeration to remark that City’s form has collapsed since the mid season break, with the Candystripes exiting the EA Sports Cup and dropping off the pace in the race for the Airtricity League title. However the performances at the Brandywell have been the issue of most concern to City fans and this has been reflected in recent attendances at the Lone Moor Road venue. However Devine’s side have the opportunity to answer some of their critics with another fixture at the ground to night and the opportunity to progress to the last eight of the competition.
Derry City will host Bluebell United at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening after the first game between the two sides on Friday evening ended in a nil all draw. The Candystripes will be happy to be still in the cup as the Dublin side really put it up to the current holders during an entertaining 3rd round tie. Having gone close on a number of occasions through Shane Stritch and Robert Douglas the junior side more than matched the efforts of the Premier League outfit throughout the ninety minutes. The Foylesiders know that a vast improvement will be needed if they are to progress to the quarter finals and have any chance of retaining their title.
Speaking ahead of the game Declan Devine had this to say,” We had a very disappointing performance on Friday evening and we are lucky to be still in the cup at this stage. We created a number of good chances to win the tie but at the same time we also gave Bluebell a number of good chances as well. I personally don’t think we did enough to win the tie on the night and all credit to Bluebell, they deserve another chance to progress in the cup. We need to learn from last Friday night and put the disappointment behind us. It’s been a difficult period for us at the minute and we need to fix that straight away if we are to defend our title."
In terms of team news City will be without long term absentees,Greacen and Deery. Indeed the club learned during the week that Stewart requires another operation on his knee as a result of the latest issue and this is expected to rule him out of much of the remainder of the season. Sean Houston picked up a knock during last Friday’s game and is expected to join Thomas Cawley on the treatment table. Shane McEleney jarred a knee during the game and will be given right up to the game to recover, whilst Ryan McBride will return in the heart of the defence.
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