National League Cup final countdown: The Eircom League player has a fairly comfortable existence, yes? Think again.

Take Clive Delaney, who returns to his alma mater, UCD, next Tuesday with Derry City for the FAI League Cup final at a temporarily revamped Belfield Park.

Delaney was back on campus yesterday for the first week of term as the summer skies helped innocent young students adjust to their new environment. It also proved an ideal setting for the cup-final press conference.

University life in the late 1990s is where the Dubliner first came to prominence. It also saw him earn a Commerce degree and a Masters that have enabled him carve a career with Price Waterhouse Coopers after a stint at West Ham United two years ago.

This season, Derry manager Stephen Kenny made it clear the players needed to relocate to the area if the club was going to progress. Most complied and it has reaped dramatic benefits - they lie second in the table and are competing strongly for both domestic cups.

Owing to work commitments, Delaney has been unable to move north so he trains with Dublin City or Athlone Town before taking the six-hour round trip on match days, which can be twice weekly, to take his place in the heart of a defence that has conceded only 18 goals this season.

"He has thrown the kitchen sink at Derry," said Delaney of the boss. "He has moved up, committed his life, and obviously Derry are reaping the rewards. He is a well-respected man so he was able to change the players' mindsets and how the training schedule was drafted.

"He has demanded a lot of us. Last year was a disappointing season. He was very straight with players. He was very straight with me. He let individuals know what was expected of them.

"The players have responded by sacrificing a lot of other elements in their life, be it work or college, for football but it will only be worthwhile if we can go on and win some silverware."

Juggling two careers must be draining but he wouldn't change the position he has found himself in so far this season. All Derry have to do is keep their nerve to the finish line and it can be classed as one of their greatest ever campaigns.

"Yeah, we are at the right end of the table. It's a good bunch of players and an enjoyable club to be involved in. But it's all well and good having a good start to the season. We did manage to maintain it for the middle third but it now comes down to the bread and butter of whether you get a trophy or you don't."

Derry have managed to maintain their momentum so far, and Delaney insists that, instead of fading, they are only reaching the zenith of their powers.

"The squad is actually stronger now than it has been throughout the season. A lot of lads picked up medial-ligament injuries and were out for 10 weeks. This is the first week that we have actually had everyone back so it will be difficult for Stephen Kenny to pick a team against Bohemians this Friday."

Facing UCD will bring back vivid memories for Delaney, who was part of a decent young team during his time on campus, though the present lot seem to have a balance unusual in college teams.

"Yeah we had a good side back then. The difference between our side and the present UCD side is they have a lot more experience in their team as well as having young players. The likes of Tony McDonnell and Alan Mahon are players who have played in the league for years."

Assuming Derry can keep hold of their prized centre half (his contract ends at the end of this season), Delaney should be lining out in the Setanta Cup next season. That's a guaranteed financial reward and there is also a €20,000 prize fund for the winners of Tuesday night's match.

"I want to play in the Setanta Cup next year. Obviously it is a big carrot, whether we get there through this competition, the FAI Cup or the league, but getting a winner's medal in the pocket is the main incentive for any player."

Such goals help to keep the mind focused on the long road north each week.