FAI Cup Previews

Second Round Replays Derry City v Cork City

Second Round Replays Derry City v Cork City

Felix Healy shrugged off the possible loss of three key players for this evening's cup replay against Cork as being "just one of those things" and said that with or without Gary Beckett, Paul Hegarty and Gavin Dykes, he was confident his side could make it through to a quarter-final clash with Sligo Rovers.

"Between one thing and another it's just been that sort of year, but when all is said and done you just have to get on with it and we'll be going out to win this game in front of our own crowd." The Derry manager is certain to be without Beckett whose arm is in plaster up to his elbow after a clash with an advertising hoarding during Sunday afternoon's game in Cork. Dykes is doubtful due to a recurrence of a back problem and Healy was still not certain last night on Hegarty's fitness after a clash of heads with Declan Daly.

Ryan Coyle is likely to start tonight's game in place of Beckett, while Darren Kelly is the most likely replacement for Dykes. If Hegarty is out, however, there may be something of a reshuffle with a switch to midfield by Eamonn Doherty among Healy's options.

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Dave Barry, meanwhile, will, with the exception of John Cotter who has an exam today, brings the same squad to the Brandywell as he had for the game in Turner's Cross. "It'll be a lot more difficult for us now," he says, "but the pressure will be on them to come out and play. They'll be favourites, but we know we're capable of better than we produced on Sunday."

Home Farm Everton v UCD

UCD look certain to be without influential midfielder Ciaran Kavanagh for this evening's game at Whitehall after the 25-year-old was detained in hospital in the wake of Sunday's clash of heads with Home Farm Everton's Damien Maher.

Both players received stitches after the incident and neither is expected to be fit for the replay which has been moved forward 24 hours to avoid a clash with tomorrow night's B international at Tolka Park.

UCD boss Dr Tony O'Neill, who felt that his side were somewhat fortunate to hold on Sunday, is also likely to have to cope without Robert Griffin (ankle). Ciaran Martyn and Robert Dunne both come into the reckoning.

Aside from Maher the home side don't expect to have any worries and Dermot Keely is confident that his men will be able to step up another gear on Sunday's performance.

"To be honest, I think that our more experienced players can do better than they did and that could make the difference for us," he says.

Keely doesn't reckon that his side's home advantage will make much difference. "Let's face it," he says, "neither side has much support. There isn't too much between the sides so it could all come down to who has the luck on the night."

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times