Underdogs UCD just happy to be competing in final

UCD v Derry City Belfield, 7.45 On TV: Setanta SportsIt may not be David versus Goliath stuff but with UCD seeking their first significant piece of silverware since Shamrock Rovers were defeated in the 1984 final of the FAI Cup, and Derry City arriving in search of their sixth league cup title since then, it not hard to understand why the home side are viewed as underdogs for this evening's game at Belfield.

While City find themselves on a bit of a hiding to nothing, Pete Mahon's side have little to lose. Their dramatic semi-final defeat of Shelbourne was a memorable achievement in itself and nobody will be hugely surprised if they succumb to a Derry team that is still very much in the hunt for the league title, particularly as their own championship form has dipped significantly of late with Friday's win over Bray their first in eight games.

Mahon, though, is determined that his young side can spring a surprise and has almost a full squad to choose from with only Alan McNally (hamstring) and Paul Byrne (head wound) likely to miss out. "I'd have particularly liked Alan to be involved because he's contributed a lot to this club over the last few years, but we have nearly everybody else so we can't complain. It's a great occasion for us and a chance to win a trophy which this club doesn't do too often.

"Basically, when you look at how much a club like Derry spends on running itself and how much we do, it's just great to be in there competing."

Stephen Kenny will wait to check on the fitness of Seán Hargan (foot) and Killian Brennan (knee) before naming his side but if the pair pass fitness tests then he will have everyone to choose from for the game.

"It's great that everyone could be available," he says, "but even then we know it will be difficult. I mean, if the game had been at the Brandywell then I think it would have been fair to say that we were favourites."