Derry defender confident of getting more silverware

STEPHEN KENNY'S arrival at Derry City in 2004 prompted rumours around the league that the Dubliner might be eager to edge Peter Hutton, who had just had his first spell as caretaker manager, towards the door.

For a while after Kenny's arrival, Hutton didn't play but Kenny was at pains to point out that the club captain simply wasn't fit. The doubts lingered for a while but four years on, the regard the pair have for each other is crystal clear.

During Kenny's time at Dunfermline, Hutton repeatedly talked about the impact the young manager had made upon him and since returning to Foyleside, the compliments have been returned in the most concrete of ways, a contract extension for the inspirational 35-year-old defender.

Hutton now finds himself preparing for yet another cup final and Kenny's presence at the helm, he says, has not only been a major factor in getting the Brandywell outfit to the RDS but is also a source of considerable confidence as the Ulster side travel to Dublin for their showdown with league champions Bohemians.

"It's been said before," observes Hutton, "he leaves no stone unturned and he's very professional and meticulous in his preparation. That probably suits cup games where it's a one-off game. We are always well prepared and up for it."

Now that it actually is a cup final motivation really shouldn't be too much of an issue ahead of 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

Derry, as it happens, have had significantly the better of this season's meetings and with the Candystripes also having picked up the League Cup in fairly emphatic fashion, Hutton believes the line-up for this game is the perfect way to wrap up the season.

"I think it's very apt that we are playing Bohs, the champions, given that we have won the other piece of silverware. We have a good record against them this season and are unbeaten against them. We enjoy playing them and, to be fair to them, they come out and play you. They don't sit back and play deep.

"I think that suits us and it's why we have such a decent record against them. However, they don't fear us either and both teams must go out there and play. It sets up a great final. That said, it is a bit of a surprise to be involved in another FAI Cup final, especially after last season. It's a pleasant surprise and we're delighted."

The reference to last season doesn't take too much decoding. Pat Fenlon's brief tenure was followed by a second caretaker stint for Hutton and then the less than triumphant John Robertson era. The lack of continuity alone would almost certainly have led to a loss of momentum but player unrest made things far more serious and several key squad members were quick to move on when the campaign ended.

"Yeah, this has been a transition season but I think we have exceeded expectations. We brought in nine new faces since the start of the season although we've since lost the likes of Killian Brennan, Paddy McCourt and Conor Sammon. There's a great mix of experienced players and younger lads now."

About the brightest of the young stars has been Niall McGinn, the 21-year-old winger recruited by Kenny from Dungannon Swifts. This final may well be McGinn's last game for the club as his progress has attracted interest from a string of British sides, something Hutton finds all too easy to understand.

"He's been a breath of fresh air," he says. "We joke about it now but when we were in Portugal for pre-season training he looked like a wee boy of 14! He was very quiet and timid and at that stage you were thinking that Niall was very much one for the future.

"But he's really progressed since Paddy McCourt left, he's really taken up that mantle and responsibility. He showed real character, been absolutely exceptional and the transfer speculation is inevitable given his performances."

It was, recalls Hutton, the 1989 cup final that proved a key turning point in his own career. He had already signed schoolboy terms with Bradford City but sitting in the stands watching his hometown club complete the treble had a profound effect on the then teenager and after an administrative error by the English side made him a free agent he opted to stay at home. Nineteen years on, this will be the sixth cup final he's played in and, despite old rumours to the contrary, he's not finished yet.