Kenny Shiels distances himself from vacant Coleraine job

Shiels has been suggested as a possible candidate to replace his son-in-law Oran Kearney who last week was appointed as St Mirren manager.

“There’s nothing in it,” said Shiels of the reports.

“All I am focusing on this week is the (EA Sports])cup final.”

Speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland, Shiels, 62, described the reports that he is set to be approached by Coleraine as “untrue”.

“I can’t see it happening. I’ve not had any contact (with Coleraine),” added Shiels, who guided the Bannsiders to a runners-up spot in the Irish Premiership during his spell in charge at Ballycastle Road in the late 1990s.

Shiels’ Derry team will aim for the club’s first trophy since 2012 in Sunday’s final against First Division side Cobh Ramblers.

The Maghera man steered Derry to third and fourth-place finishes in the Premier Division in his first two seasons in charge but the Candystripes have struggled in the league this year after a promising start to the campaign.

A cup triumph will ease pressure on the Derry boss with his side also still involved in the FAI Cup, where they host Bohemians in the remaining quarter-final next Wednesday.

Victory in that game would ensure a home semi-final against last year’s double winners Cork City on the final weekend of September.

Meanwhile, Derry City will host holders Cork City in the FAI Cup semi-finals if they beat Bohemians in the remaining last-eight tie on Wednesday, September 19.

The semi-final draw means Cork and Dundalk remain on course for a fourth successive final meeting.

Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk, FAI Cup winners in 2015 and 2016, will be at home to First Division leaders UCD in the other semi-final.

UCD defeated Waterford at the quarter-final stage last weekend.

The semi-finals will take place on the weekend of September 28-30.