Michael Duffy can join special trio of Derry City cup winners on Sunday
MICHAEL Duffy has arguably already elevated himself to legendary status at his hometown club but the Derry City skipper will join a special band of players should he clinch a third FAI Cup winners' medal with the Brandywell club this Sunday.
Only Liam Coyle, Peter Hutton and Kevin Deery have won it on three occasions with the Candy Stripes and all three have captained the club at some point during their decorated League of Ireland careers.
Of course Duffy has surpassed the trio having won the trophy FOUR times with both Dundalk [2018, 2020] and Derry [2012, 2022] and can join league legends like Paul Doolin, John Flood, Dermot Keely and Kevin Brady with a fifth. Only five players in the competition's history have won six or more - Liam Tuohy and William Glen lead the way with eight!
Captaining Derry to FAI Cup glory this Sunday at the Aviva would make this one the sweetest of them all for Galliagh lad Duffy who has been the driving force behind the club's revival during the second half of the campaign.
The winger scored against UCD in the third round, scored twice against Dundalk in the quarter-finals, and netted another brace against Galway United in the semi-finals. He's scored 11 goals in the last 10 games in all competitions, making this season his best ever return for Derry City with 17 goals!
He now hopes to write his name amongst the club's FAI Cup winning legends by leading Derry to victory over Waterford in what is the Foylesiders' 13th appearance in the showpiece since 1987/88.
"It would be great for my name to get anywhere near some of the big names, the big legends of Derry City - of course," he said.
"Just overall how this season has been, to get our hands on that trophy and celebrate with all our friends and family and the fans would just be extra special given the way things have panned out this year.
"I think it would be an unbelievable feeling. We have to think positively and be confident we can go and do that."
The former Celtic winger was emotional at the final whistle in Eamonn Deacy Park while celebrating with the traveling fans as the realisation hit him that he would be leading the team out at the Aviva.
With his eldest son Eli now at an age where he understands the occasion and as his dad's biggest fan, Duffy admits the stakes were raised this time around.
"It's been class. It actually feels that bit better this time because of how the year has went. There hasn't been a real connection with the fans and to see that now and all the kids buzzing and the schools buzzing, it's been great.
"It's good for the lads who haven't been here before or been involved before to see how big of a club it is and how big Derry City is when things are going well.
"My son is at a really good age for it now too and knows the craic," he explained. "He was absolutely buzzing we got there.
Before we played Galway he said to me, 'What if we don't get to the final, I'm probably going to cry.''
"So I didn't think about it like that and was trying to explain to him that somebody has to lose. I was obviously very positive going into it and tried to be positive with him.
"When the final whistle went that day, the happiness and part of that was for my wee man and hopefully I get to walk out with him. That would be a special moment so he's so excited for it.
"That's probably why I got a wee bit emotional after the Galway game.
"I probably will be emotional coming into the final. It's a special moment and I will be very proud to lead them out. Coming back to Derry was massive for me and trying to be successful was massive.
"Being captain was probably not something I was expecting when I came back but now to be captain and lead them out for a cup final is an unbelievable moment. Hopefully I get my hands on that trophy."