Derry City hungry for title tilt - says Brandon Kavanagh

BRANDON Kavanagh has called on Derry City players to put next month's 'dream' FAI Cup Final to the back of their minds and push Shamrock Rovers all the way in the race for the league title.
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The Dubliner scored what proved to be the winning goal against Treaty United in the first half of Sunday's cup semi-final but he wasn't allowing himself to get carried away with thoughts of running out at the Aviva with four significant games remaining in the league campaign.

Shamrock Rovers' 1-1 draw with 10 man Drogheda United has given Derry a renewed sense of optimism as they trail the champions by six points with a game in hand.

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Rovers host a rejuvenated St Pat's who are seeking to clinch a European spot on Friday night when Derry entertain cup final opponents Shelbourne at Brandywell.

And with a potential title decider at Tallaght between the league's top two on the penultimate day of the season, Ruaidhri Higgins' troops have a real opportunity to topple the three-in-a-row seeking Hoops.

Kavanagh, who has discovered his goal scoring touch at the perfect time in the season - scoring three in his last four games - has identified the players' hunger to win every game as the driving force behind Derry City's title charge.

Their 'one game at a time' mentality has given them an outside chance of winning the league and cup 'double' and Kavanagh is delighted the team remain 'in a really good position' at the business end of the season.

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"Listen, we're all over the moon but we need to keep our heads on it," he warned. "You have to get back down to earth quickly. We've got a few league games left and we'll take them as they come and we have something to look forward to at the end now.

Brandon Kavanagh heads home Derry City’s second goal against Treaty United. Photo: George Sweeney.  DER2242GS – 002Brandon Kavanagh heads home Derry City’s second goal against Treaty United. Photo: George Sweeney.  DER2242GS – 002
Brandon Kavanagh heads home Derry City’s second goal against Treaty United. Photo: George Sweeney. DER2242GS – 002

"It's something for the fans to look forward to now at the end of the season. For us, we put it to the back of our heads. We play Friday against Shelbourne and look forward to that.

"We're in a really good position," he added. "We're still in it and that's all we wanted. All you want as a footballer is to be in a cup final at the end of the season and still in with a chance of winning the league.

"We have to do our work. We have to win every game from now until the end of the season and see where we end up.”

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