Derry City can produce FAI Cup shock: Declan Devine

Sligo Rovers, who finished fourth in the league table, will be hell-bent on knocking Derry out of the competition given Devine's troops can end their hopes of qualifying for Europe if they were to defy the odds and win the cup outright.

Liam Buckley's men certainly need no extra motivation given what's at stake and while the Candy Stripes go into the game with just one training session in the bank, 2020 hasn't exactly gone to plan.

And Devine is hoping his team can spring a surprise as he challenges them to leave everything on the pitch against the Bit O'Red at the Showgrounds.

"Sligo Rovers know if they win on Wednesday night, it's highly likely they will be in Europe next year but we want to get to Europe and we want to finish with silverware," said the Derry boss.

It's not just a tricky away trip to Sligo standing in Derry's way of winning silverware, as holders Shamrock Rovers play the winners in Tallaght.

"We know the pathway to win the cup is very difficult as you have Sligo and Shamrock Rovers to get past before you get to the final.

"Nobody is getting carried away but given the madness of this year, you only have to look at the GAA at the weekend with Cavan and Tipperary, there's a lot of upset and teams who are able to find that extra gear and ability to win matches.

"We've all been sitting at home watching the FAI Cup quarter-finals over the weekend and now it's our turn.

"We understand Sligo will be a tough game but at the same time the players can't wait to get out there and everyone is looking forward to the game.

"All 18 or 19 players will be required. We can use five subs and we will need those subs on Wednesday because the reality is that this game could go to 120 minutes as well. That's not something we want but it might be needed to get us over the line.

"It's a cup competition and whatever it takes we have to make sure we lay it all out there on Wednesday night.

"We're going to try and win the match and then hopefully get a few days training going into the weekend."

Derry lost both league matches against Sligo this season but they were both tight affairs and Devine doesn't believe there's too much between the teams.

"There's been very little in the games. There's very little between the two teams. I think there's three or four points in terms of position in the table.

"I'm sure come Wednesday night there will be little in it. We have to try our best to come out with a favourable result. If we win it then you never know what can happen in a semi-final of the FAI Cup."

Devine, who managed his hometown club to the 2012 FAI Cup, will call on all his experience and take inspiration from the five times Derry have lifted the trophy - all of which he's witnessed as either a supporter, player or manager.

The Creggan man insists the thought of reliving that 2012 experience provides plenty of motivation ahead of the quarter-final tie.

"It's something that you never forget. It's something this club has been built on. I remember going to cup finals as a supporter at 11 or 12 years of age. I've been at every FAI Cup final Derry City has been involved in.

"To do it again would be magnificent but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves, We've a very difficult trip away to Sligo but the cup is renowned for throwing up surprises and we've got to make sure we can get our minds right.

"Everybody will need to put themselves forward and we've got to get our minds right for one game first and take it from there."

While Ally Gilchrist has returned to training after a long lay-off, he's not expected to be involved in Wednesday's cup tie but Devine will have an otherwise full squad to select from.

Meanwhile details of the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-finals have been confirmed with Shamrock Rovers hosting either Sligo or Derry City at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, November 29th next at 2p.m to be broadcast on WatchLOI.

The second semi-final sees Dundalk travel to Athlone Town Stadium, where they will meet Athlone Town. That game kicks off at 7.05pm, and will be live on RTE2.

The FAI Cup is pencilled in for December 6th at the Aviva Stadium.