City manager Declan Devine, speaking to the Derry Journal, has outlined that the mood in the camp has been relaxed on and off the pitch, but that the fun for the week is over and the serious work for the final starts now.
With no reports of any injuries and a fully fit panel to choose from, both Devine and his assistant manager, Paul Hegarty, will have no shortage of discussions with their coaching staff over the next few days before the panel is announced.
“At the moment, everyone is fit and well and we’ve had a good week of training and bonding sessions. To be honest, it’s been very relaxed but that all changes as we now start to concentrate on the tactics which will be deployed against St. Pat’s.
“In fact, I think it’s going to be a wee bit strange for us having to play a game on a Sunday afternoon as we’re certainly not used to that. With the match on Sunday, we’ve had to alter our training schedules but everyone has been very relaxed as the days have passed and, of course, every player in the panel is anxious to be included in the starting line-up.
“We’ve also been analysing our cup games throughout the tournament and having played five, netted 16 goals and conceded just two, our statistics have been decent compared to our league form,” smiled Devine.
“So to be back in an FAI Cup final after having been on our knees and almost out of football three years ago and having spent a season in the First Division, I think we’re doing okay and we are where we want to be, back challenging for major honours in the Aviva Stadium.
