Cup win now Derry priority

League Cup Final Preview/Derry City v Bohemians: With Friday's defeat at Waterford having left Derry 14 points adrift of second…

League Cup Final Preview/Derry City v Bohemians:With Friday's defeat at Waterford having left Derry 14 points adrift of second place in the league, a third successive League Cup title has become all the more important for John Robertson's men in this evening's final against Bohemians.

Robertson says the priority when he arrived at the Brandywell was to make what he could of the league campaign while striving to keep both cups at the club.

"UCD put paid to that a few weeks back but I think that that has strengthened our resolve in this competition."

"Qualification for the Setanta Cup (the winners will qualify for a play-off with the First Division champions for a place in next season's competition) is a major priority now - it's probably much more lucrative than making it into Europe for a club like ourselves - and it's important for everybody at the club and the supporters that we end up with something to show for this season."

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Derry have been severely hindered by injuries to first-choice players. Barry Molloy, Mark McChrystal and Kevin McHugh missed the trip to Waterford but Robertson is hoping that he will have "one or two more bodies available for this one".

A few, he admits, will be playing for their futures at the club with the Scot looking to cut the size of his squad for next season, particularly in midfield.

Bohemians manager Seán Connor must make changes to the side that beat St Patrick's Athletic in the league at the weekend.

Chris Turner is cup-tied for the game while Mark Rossiter is suspended after having been sent off in the semi-final. Neale Fenn, Harpal Singh and Glen Crowe are all available again and the latter is expected to return to partner man-of-the-moment Darren Mansaram up front.

City have home advantage for the game but that hasn't made any difference in either of the two league games with both ending in scoreless draws.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times