Candystripes travel to Belfast

WHERE once the fixture would have garnered massive headlines, Derry City’s visit to Windsor Park for this evening’s Setanta Cup game against Linfield (kick-off 5.30pm) is, dare one say it, almost something of a distraction for the Candystripes, whose priority remains the chase for a European spot in the League of Ireland, with big games coming up this week away to Cork City and at home to Shamrock Rovers.

Injury worries, coupled with the club’s financial difficulties, also detract from the occasion but Brandywell boss, Stephen Kenny, is determined his selection will be strong enough to cause problems for a Linfield side currently off the pace in fifth place in the Irish League.

Said Kenny: “We’ll travel to Windsor Park with a team which will attempt to win the game. Obviously, it’s not an ideal situation and despite our two big matches next week, the Setanta Cup is also important to us and we want to do well in that competition.”