Bohs and Candystripes hunt final high

AT the end of an often troubled and troubling season for the League of Ireland, there is every prospect of the domestic year ending on what would be a welcome high, when Bohemians and Derry City, two of the best footballing sides on the island, contest the FAI Ford Cup Final at the RDS in Dublin tomorrow (kick off 3pm).

After running away with the title, Bohs are now on the brink of the ultimate double, but Derry are chasing a double of their own, having already secured the League Cup for the fourth year in a row. While the Liffeysiders outstripped the third-placed Foylesides by a whopping 17 points in the final league table, Derry have actually enjoyed the better of the head-to-head contests with Bohs over the course the season, sharing two scoreless draws and inflicting one of the Dalymount side’s only two defeats in the league, as well trouncing them en route to winning the League Cup.

In short, these are two well-matched sides, boasting match-winning talent and, in rival bosses Pat Fenlon and Stephen Kenny — both of whom have managed both clubs — helmed by two of the most impressive and successful gaffers in the country.