Shiels hopes EA Sports title will kickstart new era at Derry
FOR many managers, including title-winning boss John Caulfield, the EA Sports Cup represents an afterthought but lifting the trophy today would have farreaching benefits for Derry City chief Kenny Shiels.
Caulfield didn’t mask his feelings about the competition’s place in the priority list back in April when stating an understrength side would be selected for their fixture at Waterford.
‘There’s no place in Europe on offer and no prize money,’ he reasoned.
He was at least half-right, as the victors from today’s decider between Derry and Cobh Ramblers will pocket a measly €15,000.
City’s only route to retaining their lucrative place in the Europa League will be by rising to fourth or winning the FAI Cup but Shiels has other motivations for coming out on top this afternoon in front of their own supporters at the rebuilt Brandywell.
It riles the Derry boss that four Derry natives are playing for the top two in the league – Pat NcEleney, Michael Duffy and Dean Jarvis at Dundalk along with Barry McNamee with Cork City – and he believes silverware can start halting the talent drain.
Only the generosity of multi-millionaire Philip O’Doherty has kept the club afloat but the businessman, whose latest annual contribution being €340,000, does not hand Shiels an open cheque-book.
In fact, amid a couple of dud recruits this year, the businessman has tasked his manager with undertaking deeper research, especially their injury records, before granting transfer funds.
‘My expectations against those of the Derry fans are a million miles apart,’ asserted Shiels.
‘They expect us to win the league whereas I think we’ve overachieved for the past two seasons.
‘We’ll have done well if we win this trophy and finish in the top six. Players has left us for more money and the chance to earn silverware, so winning this trophy would send out a strong message.’
Before that, they have an eager First Division side ready to spoil their party. ‘I don’t know Stephen Henderson at all but he has his Cobh Ramblers side wellorganised and up for this final,’ said 62-year-old Shiels.
Derry will be without injured pair Nicky Low and Conor McDermott while striker Ally Roy is cup-tied.