James Clarke has FAI Cup aspirations with Derry City
JAMES CLARKE was seven years-old when he attended his first ever FAI Cup with his dad, watching Bohemians defeat Derry City on penalties at the RDS and since then he's always had 'aspirations' of lifting the trophy.
Fifteen years later Clarke was part of the Bohemians side which lost 3-1 to St Pat's in the showpiece at the Aviva Stadium.
That experience has made him even more determined to return and put things right and he's hoping 2026 proves to be his lucky year. Derry's 25 year-old talented attacking midfielder will travel to UCD on Friday for a third round clash against the Students and Clarke admits the Brandywell club's priority is to go all the way this year.
"When I was younger the cup final was the big day and the one you always watched on tele or would always go to," he said. "I've been in the cup final once and haven't won it. It's something I want to get back to again.
"It's been an aspiration of mine while I'm here and while I'm playing in Ireland - to win a cup final and to win multiple cup finals.
"We're only four games away from winning it. We can beat anyone on our day so it's 100 percent our aim to win it. "The league campaign has been really disappointing. It could salvage it with a cup win," he agreed. "There's still nine games left to play in the league as well so we want to finish as high as possible in that too.
"At the end of the day, there are only two competitions to win at the start of the season so coming away with one would be our goal."
Clarke insists Derry can't overlook the challenge of UCD who are vying for promotion from the First Division this term.
"To be honest it is crucial to our season the cup. UCD are a good team and always have good players. Players in the past who played at UCD have gone on to do really well so we know it will be a tough test.
"We have to be ready for it but we're treating this with respect. We're working really hard in training. It is a massive game in our season, and we have to respect that. "I find the Bowl is always quite a difficult place to go. Just maybe its a bit devoid of atmosphere and they will always be free-flowing on the ball, take risks and they do have good players.
"It's up to us. We're going there as Derry City. We're going to look to get after them immediately from the start and bring our game to them. It's goig to be up to us to take charge."
Clarke, who has six goals in the league this season, has been asked to lead the line on occasions but he's delighted to be back in a more familiar role at No.10. He hit the post against Sligo Rovers in the 2-0 win at Brandywell last week and could've had more. "With the Tiernan situation, it's never nice. It's been frustrating for us. You try your best every week in matches to do well so it's been frustrating.
"It's never nice to see anyone lose their job and obviously we have to take some responsibility for that as well. Mark's come in and told us to have freedom on the ball.
"So, it will suit and benefit players in attacking areas. I could've had a few to be fair against Sligo and could’ve had a penalty as well.
"It's definitely something I've been meaning to add to my game and it's important I’m chipping in with goals. A lot of that is getting yourself in the right areas which I did a few times against Sligo but couldn’t put them away.
“That’sthe main thing, if you’re getting chances and getting into those areas. Hopefully I can improve my goalscoring form from now until the end of season.
"It's also a challenge for us to raise our level of consistency.”