Kenny Shiels relishing playing the next five league and cup games at home in the Brandywell
It was City’s second home draw in as many days after being paired with St Pats in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup 2nd round draw during Monday evening’s Soccer Republic programme.
That means that Kenny Shiels’s side have Waterford, St Pats, Cobh Ramblers and Bohemians on their radar next, followed by the quarter-final of the cup, should they manage to progress.
The Derry boss however was mindful that the next round of the cup is scheduled for the start of September, when he expects to have several of his squad away on under-21 duty with both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
“Firstly, I’m delighted for the people who have worked so hard to make the Brandywell such an impressive venue that their efforts will be rewarded with a cup final this season.
“It is a competition the club has a wonderful affinity with and the ground will be a fantastic venue to showcase the final.
“I’m really hopeful that we will fill the stadium for the game and we will be doing everything in our power to ensure the cup is back at the Brandywell.
“It’s good to get a home draw in the FAI Cup as well but we’ll concern ourselves with that in due course.
“Before that we have a crucial league game against Waterford this Friday and I would again implore our supporters to come out and get right behind the team.
“Their support is so pivotal and as we prepare for this run of home games it would make the world of difference to have them behind us.
It looks like being a telling period in City’s season but there is no doubting that it is a challenge that Shiels and his players are really relishing.
Derry City lie fifth in the SSE Airtricity Premier Divsion and a win against Waterford would put them within one point of fourth placed Shamrock Rovers and two points behind Waterford.
After Friday night’s game there are just seven games left and City will be looking to finish the season strongly in a bid to secure further European football next season.
