Managers views on Cup final

fai.ie As the build-up to Sunday's FAI Carlsberg Cup final continues, fai.ie spoke to the eight Premier Division managers not involved to ask for their views on which way the game would go.

The managers are split by their views with some emphatically going for Derry or Shamrock Rovers while one or two believe it is too close to call.

Stephen Kenny (Bohemians) - "I go for a replay as it is too close to call on the day in what looks a 50/50 contest. Eamonn Doherty and Ciaran Martyn will be key figures for Derry in midfield.

"But Rovers have dangerous strikers in young Noel Hunt and Tony Grant. The match could be won and lost in the battle between Rovers right back and Derry winger Sean Friars - providing the latter has recovered from injury."

Pat Devlin (Bray Wanderers) - "Both teams are in top form at the moment and it could be one of the great finals of recent years. Rovers and Derry have great Cup tradition and their supporters will add to the colour of the occasion.

"I reckon that Rovers are capable of winning at the first attempt - but if it goes to a replay, then Derry could win the trophy for a third time."

Liam Murphy (Cork City) - "I would like to see Derry winning, but I think they will struggle in the set-piece positions where Rovers will have a big advantage in the presence of Pat Scully and Terry Palmer. I expect Rovers to win.

"Perhaps the game should have been played at Dalymount Park as Tolka Park is effectively Rovers' home ground even though they are renting it out from Shelbourne. It is always as asset for Dublin teams to be playing in the capital as they don't have to go through all the travel arrangements that face teams such as Derry."

Harry McCue (Drogheda United) - "Derry will win it. I have no doubt about it. I had a hunch about them winning us after they beat us in the second round and I can't see Shamrock Rovers stopping them. I know they have a few injury worries but I suspect there might be politics at play there and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of them in the starting line-up."

Alan Matthews (Longford Town) - "I have a feeling that Rovers will do it and thus collect the trophy for a 25th time. It's eleven years since they were in the final and you have to go back to 1987 since they last won the Cup.

"Derry also have a lot of injury problems while Rovers have home advantage and enough determination to succeed."

Pat Dolan (St.Patrick's Athletic) - "This one is too close to call so evenly matched are the sides. But if you were to really push me on a verdict, I would go for Rovers on the grounds of enjoying home advantage.

"I just hope that the final will be a great advertisement for the domestic game at a national level. You have to feel sorry for Derry. Again they are the away team after playing their semi-final against Cork City at Turners Cross."

Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne) - "Rovers are due a win in the final after so many years without a triumph, They look slightly the stronger of the two outfits although I expect it to be a very close result.

"They have put a good run of six games unbeaten together and Liam Buckley must be quietly confident as his team have beaten a lot of good teams in the procesxs including that semi-final victory over Bohemians. I think this will be their day."

Paul Doolin (UCD) - "I think it will be very tight, very evenly balanced. It is very hard to say who will win but there will be a few goals in it.

"Because I hear Derry have a lot of injury problems maybe Rovers have the slight edge, but I certainly wouldn't be predicting them. Derry still have Liam Coyle - possibly the best ever player in the League - Gary Beckett, Sean Friars, Ciaran Martyn - who has been a superb signing - David Kelly if he plays and Sean Hargan. All are capable of scoring goals, though they will miss Peter Hutton and Gareth McGlynn if they don't make it back.

"Rovers are the same because in Noel Hunt and Tony Grant they have two very very dangerous strikers while James Keddy and Stephen Grant can also nick a goal as Keddy has done a few times recently.

"Having played for both clubs I know how important the Cup is to them. Rovers have a great Cup tradition but haven't won it in 15 years while Derry people have always had a special affiliation with the Cup - they think it's there divine right to win it.