DERRY City’s quest to reach a third FAI Cup final in five years continues tonight, Friday, September 9, against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park (kick off 7.45 pm).
Kenny Shiels and his players are just two victories from reaching the Aviva showpiece.
And they are favourites to beat a Wexford team in the quarterfinals.
Wexford are in a fight against relegation from the Premier Division but Shiels has insisted that Shane Keegan’s side will be no pushovers.
“You don’t have easy games in this league,” he said.
“You don’t get anything in life unless you work for it and that’s been our attitude all season.
“We isolate our games and prepare for each on its merits and we work hard in preparation and we go out to do our best in every game.
“Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t and we want to make sure that if we have some people travelling, we give them something to enjoy.”
This is the first of a double header against Wexford Youths with City set to return to Ferrycarrig next weekend as they attempt to consolidate third place in the SSE Airtricity Premier division.
“We have to isolate this game from the league game, which cannot be in our thoughts,” Shiels explained.
“We have to make sure that we have that energy and that dynamic to go and play with a determination and a tempo that will give us the best opportunity.
“How you win is important; that is in my ethos and my philosophy, that we must play with a level of entertainment.”
Lukas Schubert (knee) is a doubt for Derry City while defenders Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry and Max Kraner remain side-lined through injury.