Cliff Byrne.
Derry City defender Cliff Byrne will miss tonight’s EA Sports Cup clash against high-flying Dundalk at Brandywell (kick-off 7.45pm).
Byrne, a consistent performer since joining the Candy Stripes at the start of the season, is available for the game but manager Peter Hutton has revealed he had an agreement with the club to attend an engagement in England this weekend.
Dundalk, managed by former Derry City boss Stephen Kenny, go into the game having scored 10 goals without conceding in their last three games.
Indeed, they have lost only two games in the league and are two points clear of nearest rivals Cork City, having won 10, lost two and drew two of their 14 games played so far, scoring 35 goals and conceding only 13.
The also put three past Bray Wanderers in the last round.
Compare that to City’s league record of three wins, seven draws and four losses, with only ten goals scored and 13 conceded, and it not difficult to work out the difficult task Derry face tonight.
Dundalk had a comfortable 3-0 win when the sides met in the league in April.
However, Hutton is going into the game in confident mood, boosted by last Friday night’s 2-0 victory at Brandywell against Drogheda United – his first win since taking over the manager’s job following the departure of Roddy Collins.
With a trip to defending champions, St Patrick’s Athletic, coming up at the weekend, Hutton is expected to make several changes in the Derry City line-up.
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