FAI Cup Preview - UCD v Derry City

The RTE cameras focus on Belfield for the final quarterfinal tie of the weekend and based on results this season, two draws in the League already, another tight game is likely.

For UCD, this is only their second quarterfinal since they won the Cup in 1984 but under Paul Doolin's canny stewardship, they have grounds for making amends for their poor contemporary record in the Blue Riband.

Doolin knows a thing or two about winning Cups as he's been successful with Shamrock Rovers (1986 and 1987), Derry City (1989 and 1995), Shelbourne (1993 and 2001).

Doolin has added steel to UCD's makeup this season but is aware that a recent sloppy run in the League has put the emphasis on Premier Division survival. "It would be fantastic for the lads to keep going in the Cup but we can't afford to drop our guard in the League as things are getting tight," he said.

Doolin will be calling the shots from the technical area as suspension rules him out of Cup combat on Sunday. "I'll be back for the replay," he joked.

Derry City needed an own goal to overcome doughty non-League battlers St Kevin's in the last round but have scoring four to beat Waterford in the League Cup quarter-finals, they crashed at home to Bray in the League last Thursday.

"The Bray result apart, our home form all season has been excellent and I'd be happy to bring UCD back to the Brandywell as we fear no one there. Like many sides, we've found Belfield Park a difficult place to go but we drew there 2-2 earlier this season which gives us encouragement for Sunday.

"Liam Coyle, Gary Beckett and Sean Hargan were with the club when we played in the final five years ago but the younger boys would dearly love a crack at the Cup. We're two games away from the final and have as good a chance as any team left," said Mahon.

After that Bray defeat, Derry's title challenge is over as they trail Shels by 14 points. For the Candystripes, the Cup offers the only realistic route to Europe now.

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