Coughlan ready if needed for Cup final

BEING on standby is nothing new for Derek Coughlan. When you work at an airport, you get used to it.

This time, however, the towering Cork City centre-half is on standby for the showpiece of the domestic football season, as he is set to land a place in the City first team to face Drogheda in Sunday's FAI Cup Final.

Coughlan hero of the 1998 Cup triumph is sweating on a place in the City side as suspended regular centre-half Alan Bennett currently suspended, awaits a disciplinary appeal tomorrow to lift his ban for the final.

It's not how Coughlan planned it.

"I'm gutted for Alan. He's a good lad and a great player. He did nothing wrong against Waterford to get a yellow card so by right he should be free to play on Sunday. It's not how I would like to have come in and hopefully he will be allowed to play."

Nevertheless Coughlan is prepared to step into the breach if Bennett's appeal fails.

"I know there's every chance I could be playing and I'm ready for it," says the former Brighton and Hove Albion star.

"I started three games at the back this season and we had three clean sheets so I know I can do the job.

"I would have liked to have played more games but for me, fitness is not an issue. I've been training full-time with the lads and match fitness won't be a problem."

Despite being part of this professional Cork City squad, Coughlan still works in the Cork Airport Security and Fire Service, juggling his work commitments with football.

"It can be difficult, but it's shift work, it's not a nine to five job so fellas often help me out, changing shift so I can get to training or matches," he says.

Coughlan has played not just at centre-half this season but also as an emergency centre-forward, something he would be happy to do if Bennett's suspension is overturned.

"I will play wherever I'm asked by the manager. I'll play in goal if I have to; I'll play left-wing. I'll give everything no matter what I'd throw my head in front of the bus if I have to!" Coughlan did play at centre-half at the weekend, as Cork City eased to a 4-1 friendly win against Youghal, but he is not reading much into this.

"It was just a runabout, to be honest, a game of ball. I don't think it's going to make much difference to what side is going to be picked for the final. It's down to Damien, and I haven't had any indication either way.

"We'll probably have the same preparation as always, so I don't think any of us will know the team until Damien tells us all on Sunday morning."

Coughlan was the hero of Cork City's sole FAI Cup triumph, with the winner in the 1998 final replay against Shelbourne then managed by now Cork City boss Damien Richardson.

"Of course I remember that day, I'll never forget it. I've seen it so many times and people are always asking me about it. I'm the only player still playing at Cork City out of that team.

"I remember Kelvin Flanagan sending in a great ball and I just got in front of Pat Scully and smashed it home.

"We deserved it. We packed out the Cross quite a few times that season and the following year. Dave Barry saved the club when he came back and that squad won the league cup as well and were runners-up for the league on two occasions.

"Our league win last week against Derry was for some of those guys from '98 as well, who done so much for Cork football."

A lot has changed in those seven years at Cork City, with the club now on the verge of an historic double.

"Everything is so professional now with the club playing full-time. I have another year on my contract here and it is great to be involved. I just want to play more games.

"After winning the league, everybody was just waiting for this weekend and hoping it could come sooner.

"To win the cup would be huge for me. I used to stand on the Shed at Turner's Cross as a young lad before I was ever involved with Cork City as a player. When we won the league, it was far more special than when I won a league medal with Bohs. Anybody who saw the scenes in the Shed after we won the league knows how much it means.

"It's huge for everybody for the players and the supporters. It would mean everything to bring back the trophy to Cork on Monday night."

So no shift work at Cork Airport on Monday then? "Not a hope."