Graham Cummins: Derry need this 'springboard' to avoid being tagged nearly men

For Derry City, the FAI Cup would be regarded as a 'springboard' to winning the title in the future. 

IN THE RUNNING: PFA Ireland Player of the Year Award nominees Mark Connolly, left, and Cameron Dummigan, Derry City, at the launch of the PFA Ireland Awards 2022 at the Marker Hotel in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

There’s no better feeling as a player than having a cup final to look forward to. Since securing their place in the FAI Cup final four weeks ago, those Shelbourne and Derry City players would have been focusing their attention on Sunday’s showpiece. Their league form reflects that.

It’s hard not to get distracted. For the last four weeks, the players would have been going into the games with fear of picking up an injury that could rule them out of the final. A few may have been fighting for places, but in truth, Ruaidhri Higgins and Damien Duff have probably long known their starting 11s for the final.