By Ed Leahy
League titles bring true glory and create history and tradition within a football club, yet invariably it is the FAI Cup that provides many of the memories and scrapbook moments for the loyal Irish football fan.
An abundance of Cup memories exist in the hearts and minds of the supporters of both Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic, who meet in this afternoon’s decider (kick-off 3.30 live on RTÉ2) – albeit not always happy ones, for one set in particular.
The Saints and the Candystripes meet once again in this year’s blue riband encounter at the Aviva Stadium, the third time the sides meet in the FAI Cup final over the past decade.
And Liam Buckley’s St Pat’s will be hoping it will be third time lucky, as both the 2006 and 2012 honours went to the Candystipes, with extra-time needed to separate the sides on both occasions.
Buckley will happily take another bout of extra-time and perhaps penalties if it means his side can end the 53-year wait for FAI Cup glory, having last won the tournament in 1961, beating Drumcondra 2-1 at Dalymount Park.
But it won’t be an easy task: the Candystripes will provide a very tough test for the Inchicore men as they look to turn a poor league campaign into a trophy-winning season.
And Derry have done it the hard way, battling past Shamrock Rovers in the semi-final, Peter Hutton’s side taking the Dublin team back to the Brandywell for a replay after a 1-1 draw at Tallaght Stadium.
The Candystripes were also made to work hard in the previous round: they were held in Drogheda, but again the Brandywell worked to their advantage as they won the replay 5-0.
Hutton’s side will not be able to call on the Brandywell factor to get through this clash with Saints, but a large travelling support, coupled with fresh memories of their victory over Buckley’s side at the Aviva two years ago will certainly inspire Candystripe confidence.
But this will be a tough task for Derry as they take on a very capable side, who will threaten from all areas, especially down both flanks.
And this is an area that Derry might struggle to contain the Saints attack with both full-backs Ian Bermingham and Ger O’Brien bombing forward to add to the threat that already exists through Conan Byrne and Chris Forrester.
Derry are solid right through the spine of the team and will prove a very tough unit to break down, with keeper Ger Doherty likely to enjoy a busy afternoon amidst the Saints pressure.
Saints have goals right through their team, although all eyes will be on Christy Fagan who has had a remarkable season, breaking the 20-goal barrier.
Derry cannot afford to sit back and try to absorb 90 minutes of St Pat’s attacks and if they can frustrate Buckley’s side by stifling their free-flowing football, the Candystripes possess several match-winners of their own who could prove decisive should the game remain on a knife-edge.
Derry recently secured the services of star midfielder Michael Duffy for the next two seasons so what better way to repay his club that to follow up his semi-final strike with another at the Aviva.
Rory Patterson’s goal-scoring record speaks for itself, while Barry McNamee and Patrick McEleney are others who could grab a goal to decide this encounter.
But this really is Saints best opportunity to end their FAI Cup famine and the experience of last season’s league victory, coupled with the lesson learned in the Cup final two years ago should see Pat’s prevail.
Verdict: St Patrick’s Athletic
