Peers believes Sligo's hunger will prevail
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 13:05
Watch the 2009 FAI Ford Cup final between Sligo Rovers and Sporting Fingal live on RTÉ Two and worldwide on RTÉ.ie this Sunday from 2.30pm. Live audio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport, which is also available worldwide on RTÉ.ie.
Sligo Rovers centre-back Gavin Peers believes his side have the necessary talent to triumph over Sporting Fingal in this Sunday's FAI Ford Cup final, but he knows the hunger of each team could ultimately decide the destination of the trophy.
Peers' outstanding performances at the back were instrumental in taking the Bit O' Red to their first Cup final since their 1994 success, but Peers insists he and the Sligo players are well aware of the task ahead of them at the Tallaght Stadium.
The Dubliner, who was on the books of Blackburn Rovers and Mansfield Town before returning to Ireland, admitted: 'They are a very experienced side. Eamon Zayed, he's won the league (with Drogheda), Stephen Paisley and Alan Kirby have won the cup. They've won a few things and are used to the big occasions now.
'For some of us it's the first time in a such a big game, but we're quietly confident, everybody has to have their heads right and if we're the hungrier team we will win.'
Peers, recently turned 24, missed much of the season through injury and his absence played a significant part in the club's flirtation with relegation, but his return for the run-in was instrumental in the club's survival and run to the Cup final.
However, he refused to take the credit for the team's revival. Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Adrian Eames, Peers said: 'It (defending) comes from the whole team. Defending starts from the front, if everyone is on their game. If we keep a clean sheet then fair enough, but at the end of the day it's the whole team.'
When asked if there will be any nerves in the build-up to the game, Peers added: 'I get nervous before every game. I try to build myself up a bit just to get my head straight on the game and get my adrenalin going. That's the way I've always been and it's worked well for me so far.'
