Pat’s have tricky trip to Brandywell with FAI Cup second round tie

ST PATRICK’S Athletic turn their attention the FAI Cup, where they will take on fellow league challengers Derry City in the second round at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

When the referee blows the whistle for kick-off on Sunday evening, the two most recent winners of the cup, St Pat’s in 2021 and Derry in 2022, will go toe-to-toe. In league meetings so far this year, the teams have a win each over the other on their home patch, most recently colliding at Richmond Park in June.

On that occasion, Jon Daly’s side dominated the Candystripes on the counter-attack to run out 4-1 winners but the time before that, City recorded a 2-0 win in Derry.

In the first-round of the cup, 18-year-old academy graduate Adam Murphy was on the scoresheet and a Chris Forrester penalty secured passage for the Supersaints past Longford Town.

Meanwhile Derry overcame Athlone Town in the opening round with a 3-0 win through a Will Patching goal and two late goals from Brandon Kavanagh and Michael Duffy in additional time.

With Shamrock Rovers out of the competition and in pole position in the league, progressing in the FAI Cup could prove to be a double-edged sword.

A place in the quarter-final is up for grabs and the match-up may be an indication of how the teams stack up coming into the crucial last games of the season.

The Saints are four-points off the top in second place and Derry are one-point behind them in third, albeit with a game in-hand.

Rovers have the opportunity to pour all of their resources and maintain focus in pursuit of a fourth successive league title.

Whereas a good cup run for Pat’s or Derry, although it would be huge for potential silverware, may take their eye off the ball in the league as it comes into the final nine-games of the campaign.

Crucially, St Pat’s are fixes to play both Shamrock Rovers and Derry City in the final two games of the league season.

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