Derry City will host the EA SPORTS U19 National League of Ireland Enda McGuill Cup final against Bohemians tomorrow night. The Enda McGuill Cup Final is set to kick-off at 7.45pm at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as a big crowd is expected for
Derry City will host the EA SPORTS U19 National League of Ireland Enda McGuill Cup final against Bohemians tomorrow night.
The Enda McGuill Cup Final is set to kick-off at 7.45pm at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as a big crowd is expected for the showcase final of the EA SPORTS National League of Ireland Underage leagues.
Derry City claimed their spot in the final thanks to a dramatic 1-0 win over Treaty United in the semi-final as Michael Harris scored a 90th-minute goal to clinch Derry's spot in the final.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night's final, Derry City U-19 manager Gerard Boyle believes his side deserve to cap off an impressive season with the Enda McGuill crown.
"It's been an excellent season, we've only had two defeats, one draw and won every other game. It would be great to cap off the season with some silverware," said Derry City U-19 manager Gerard Boyle.
"We've had plenty of our players gain that experience in the first-team which has stood them in good stead. They've coped really well with the different pressures of training and playing with the first-team, and it will probably help them in the match situation on Wednesday night.
"It is going to be a tense affair, as finals often are but we're sure we'll get a good crowd on Wednesday night. We saw a few weeks ago with the senior team at the Pats that a good crowd can really help a team get over the line.
"We're sure that if we can get some fans into the ground, we'll get that extra five or 10 percent which could make all the difference in what is going to be a difficult final against a very good side."
Bohemians had their own tense semi-final to get through as they also clinched their spot in the final through a narrow 1-0 victory. Aaron Doran's 13th-minute strike sealed their final berth and U-19 manager Craig Sexton is expecting a difficult tie at the Brandywell.
"It has been a challenging year for the players but their application to the challenge has been brilliant and they've got their just rewards in getting to the final against a difficult Derry side," said Sexton.
"We don't see cup finals as the most important thing in terms of developing players, but it is a great day out for the players and the club who've worked incredibly hard over the past season.
"We've gone to challenging venues before, in terms of Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium in the final, but now it is a different test in terms of the travel to Derry and it is great for the players to experience that different type of pressure as part of their development.
"We're used to travelling to play matches and it won't be a problem, we'll prepare right like we always do and it'll be one we'll look forward to with hopefully a big crowd.
"We've had a number of players get the first-team experience this year. Keith (Long) is very good in terms of what we do in the Academy, looking to promote players and we're very lucky to have that. A lot of boys have got the chance this year with the first-team and that will stand them in good stead tomorrow night and in the future."
LOITV
The match will be live and free on LOITV tomorrow evening.
EA SPORTS U19 Enda McGuill Cup - Route to the Final
Derry City
Semi-Final - Derry City 1-0 Treaty United
Goal(s): Michael Harris 90
Quarter-Final - Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Derry City (2-4 pens)
Goal(s): Michael Harris 95; John Ryan 107.
Second Round - Derry City 2-0 Finn Harps
Goal(s): Evan McLaughlin 46, 71.
First Round - Bye
Bohemians
Semi-Final - Bohemians 1-0 Cork City
Goal(s): Aaron Doran 13.
Quarter-Final - Bohemians 3-1 Bray Wanderers
Goal(s): Billy Vance 14, Colin Conroy 75, Aaron Doran 90; Ognjen Lovic 1.
Second Round - Dundalk 0-3 Bohemians
Goal(s): Daragh Murtagh 23, Mayowa Animasahun OG 46, Aaron Doran 73.
First Round - Bye
Match Officials
Wednesday, October 27
Derry City v Bohemians - Enda McGuill U19 Final
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: Michael Connolly
Assistant 1: Ciaran O'Reilly
Assistant 2: Keenan Deering
Fourth Official: Declan Toland
