Injuries disrupt Candystripes' cup preparations

Derry City’s FAI Cup semi-final preparations are already in disarray following the Candystripes’ bruising encounter with St Patrick’s Athletic at the weekend.

City, who face Waterford United at the Brandywell this Friday night for a place in the Cup final, may well have to plan without midfielder Sean Hargan, who was taken to hospital following the 1-1 draw with St Pat’s on Thursday night. He may have ankle ligament damage.

The injury to Hargan is compounded for manager Stephen Kenny by the fact he has few options to fill the potential gap on the left wing.

Englishman Michael Holt has also played on the left side of midfield during the campaign but will be serving a one-match ban, while Gary Beckett also failed to finish the Pat’s match having suffered a hamstring problem just 12 minutes into the game.

Meanwhile, Cillian Brennan, the club’s only other senior left-sided player, is cup-tied having already featured in this season's cup competition for Dublin City.