Derry to test Rovers’ resources

RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS was at Tallaght last Sunday to see how Shamrock Rovers reacted to their Europa Conference

League opener against Djurgardens 72 hours earlier.

By half-time, Rovers were four goals ahead against Finn Harps.

‘They’ve had a big test every week and have shown they’ve the squad to deal with that,’ acknowledged the Derry City manager ahead of today’s Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-final with Rovers at the Brandywell (5.0).

The winners of second versus first in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division will be immediately installed as favourites to lift the FAI Cup at the Aviva Stadium on November 13, which also carries a Euro qualification bonus.

On form, it’s a close one to call. Derry have won four on the spin in the league to stand on the shoulders of the champions at the top of the table.

‘We want to make the Brandywell a horrible place to come to. We’ve had three tight matches against Rovers this season and this will be no different,’ said Higgins.

It’s a plus for Stephen Bradley and his players that there is no time to dwell on Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Gent in the Europa Conference League. Bradley is set to shuffle the green and white deck, and the likes of Graham Burke and Justin Ferizaj could start. Pico Lopes may also figure in the squad after injury.

Rovers won the FAI Cup as recently as 2019, but that was the only success for the Cup kings in 35 years.

For Derry, the FAI Cup itch is starting to scratch as their last triumph was in 2012, and their last final in 2014.

If their big players, such as Will Patching, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy shine, they can dazzle the Hoops.

But no one would be surprised if this tie is a tense affair that goes to extra-time, and possibly requires penalties to determine who is going to go through.