Historic night beckons as Wexford Youths plot cup final shock

THE biggest day of the club’s two-year existence has dawned for Wexford Youths, who host Derry City in the eircom League Cup final at Ferrycarrig Park this evening (7.30pm, Setanta Sports).

The First Division outfit won the right to home advantage in a draw at FAI headquarters, having already done the hard bit by shocking Cork City in the semi-final. But now, the infant club must overcome the acknowledged League Cup kingpins, as Derry go in search of a remarkable fourth straight win in the competition.

With the Candystripes flying high in the Premier Division, Youths boss Mick Wallace knows his team are underdogs.

“I went to see Derry play Pat’s on Tuesday and I was hugely impressed with them,” he says.

“They look as good as any side in the country. As a unit they are extremely good, and their mental approach, coupled with their physical condition and technique, means they are a top side and will be very difficult to beat. We couldn’t be playing a tougher side in the final as they don’t seem to have any vulnerabilities and so it’s asking a lot of my lads to beat them.”

Adding to the challenge for Wexford is that they will be without Paul Murphy, who tore his cruciate ligament in training, and Conor Wallace, who has not yet recovered from an injury picked up against Athlone Town.

Derry, meanwhile, will be without Peter Hutton and Ciaran Martyn but, boosted by the victory over Pats at Inchicore in the Setanta Cup, they go into yet another League Cup Final as hot favourites.

Coach Declan Devine said: “On the back of the great win on Tuesday night, the players are focused and looking forward to trying to retain the cup. It’s one of the major trophies in Irish football and a chance for players to put a medal in their collection.

“We’ll prepare for this game as we would for every other game, with the same focus and determination we have week in, week out.”

Still, for Wexford Youths, history beckons on home turf this evening.

“It’s a great occasion, with a real buzz around the county,” says Wallace. “We are privileged to be in a final. I just hope we don’t let the occasion get to us and give a good account of ourselves.”