FAI Cup secound round: Derry City v Cork City (tonight, 7.45pm)
Derry City's newly-appointed captain Patrick McEleney is expecting another tough test in their quest of FAI Cup glory as First Division leaders Cork City, come to the Brandywell tonight.
The 29-year-old feels the tie sees two big clubs locking horns again and isn't falling into the trap that the Rebel Army are in the league below.
“It’s a big game," he said.
“They are a massive club obviously and they are going in the right direction by the likes of things, so it’s going to be a tough game for us, and a proper cup tie.
"We just have to dust ourselves down and look forward to it.
"The FAI Cup is huge; obviously I’ve played in a good few finals and I’ve won a few and it’s a massive day for everybody really and there’s no excuse, we should be up there at the end of it.”
The talented midfielder was a frustrated man after last week’s draw at Drogheda United, their third share of the spoils in a row and he concedes if City hope to win silverware, then they need to improve and more importantly turn those draws into victories.
“I’ve been standing here loads of times this year and people looking in are probably thinking ‘Will he ever shut up?’ because it’s just an excuse, but if you score goals, you win games and if you miss chances you don’t,” he insisted.
“This is not a finger pointing exercise because I’m included. I missed a chance against Rovers and if you miss chances, you get punished.
“I think we dominated the whole game against Drogheda, we had three one-on-ones, we had one cleared off the line, and they had a 10-minute spell at best and they scored in it.
“We drew at home to Rovers, everybody was at the game and saw that we missed chances.
“Against Dundalk, it was the last kick of the game, and against Drogheda, they had a five-minute spell, while we missed loads of chances.
“I could rhyme them all off throughout the season; Bohs, St Pat’s, Sligo at home, where does it end? If you want to do something you have to win games.”
Elsewhere tonight, Donegal junior side Bonagee United entertain Shelbourne, while Lucan United take on Bohemians, UCD travel to Galway United and Dundalk travel to Wexford.
Tomorrow evening Waterford make the trip to Malahide United and Maynooth University take on Treaty United.
On Sunday, the tie of the round sees the all Premier Division encounter take place at Head in the Game Park with Drogheda United hosting champions and cup favourites Shamrock Rovers.
