Sport

No room for error as Derry plan to make home advantage pay

SETANTA CUP: DERRY CITY manager Stephen Kenny has emphasised the limited margin for error as he endeavours to kick off his side…

PAUL BUTTNER
Tue Sept 22 2009 - 01:00

SETANTA CUP:DERRY CITY manager Stephen Kenny has emphasised the limited margin for error as he endeavours to kick off his side's campaign in this season's competition with a fourth win of the season over managerless St Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell tonight.

Kenny has defenders Clive Delaney and Steven Gray returning from suspension for the Group 3 opener but is without midfielder Gareth McGlynn, who sustained a shoulder injury at Drogheda on Friday.

“We must try and win the game in what’s a very tough group,” said Kenny, who gives a late fitness test to striker Tam McManus (ankle).

“Only the group winners are guaranteed a place in the semi-final so there’s no margin for error. The match is at the Brandywell, so we must endeavour to do all in our power to take maximum points in our home games.

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“We’ll try to get a foothold in the competition early on and see what develops. We enjoyed a good 3-0 win at Richmond Park earlier in the season, but in our other two matches, when we won 1-0, they were both very tight affairs.”

Captain Damien Lynch returns from suspension for St Patrick’s. Fellow defender David Partridge is also free of suspension but remains a doubtful participant due to a hamstring injury.

Striker Mark Quigley is fit following a hamstring injury, but defender Jamie Harris (hamstring), midfielder Garreth O’Connor and striker Andy Haran, both of whom have knee injuries, remain out.

Meanwhile, the FAI yesterday issued a statement clarifying that at no point were Bohemians given assurances that next Tuesday’s league game at Derry City would be rescheduled.

With his side due to play three away games in six days, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon said after last Friday’s 3-2 win over Dundalk that an agreement whereby Bohemians surrendered home advantage to Waterford United in this Saturday’s League Cup final on the basis the Derry game would be put back had been reneged on.

“Bohemian FC will play Waterford United FC in the final of the EA Sports Cup on Saturday, September 26th,” the FAI statement said. “Both clubs were originally scheduled to play league fixtures this weekend. However, due to the EA Sports Cup final, both clubs will now play these matches on Tuesday, September 29th.”