FAI Cup Quarter-Final Preview

Dundalk travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on Derry City for a place in the semi-final of the Club Orange FAI Cup. The match kicks-off at 4pm. Dundalk supporter tickets are on sale from here. The match will be broadcast live on RTE2. Dundalk were boosted by their success in last week's win in the Louth Derby at Sullivan and Lambe Park, a result that has brought Dundalk to 40 points for the season. Derry City, who drew 3-3 with Shamrock Rovers in an exciting game last Sunday, are in sixth place with 34 points. Dundalk have previously played Derry City in the FAI Cup on seven occasions. Dundalk won the first encounter, the 1988 FAI Cup Final, with Derry then winning the next two ties in 1995 and 1999. The clubs didn't meet again until the 2016 Semi-Final, that Dundalk won in a replay. Dundalk also won ties in 2017 and 2019.

Ciaran Kilduff Comments. "After the drama and relief of last week's result, we're in a really good place as a team. The FAI Cup quarter-final gives us a great change of focus, but we know we're facing a very difficult game against a Derry City side that has found a bit of rhythm. We watched them against Shamrock Rovers and they were very impressive for large periods of that match.

"We'll concentrate on ourselves, as we always do. It's encouraging that Tyreke Wilson, JR Wilson and Harvey Warren have all made good strides this week and could come into contention, although perhaps in smaller roles. Tom Grivosti is cup-tied following his appearances for St Patrick's Athletic, so he won't be available.

"We're happy with where we are in the league, but the FAI Cup presents a huge opportunity for every team that's left in the competition. It's one game at a time, though, and this is a very difficult tie away from home in the cauldron of the Brandywell. With their season on the line and silverware still to play for, we know Derry will be highly motivated.

"You can already see the impact Mark has had on their squad. There's a freedom to the way they're playing, they're scoring goals and they're carrying confidence. We'll take all of that into account in our preparation.

"Confidence is high in our group as well. The changes to the squad over the last couple of months led to a bit of a sticky patch, but performances remained good even if results didn't always go our way. Winning last week gave everyone a lift and put a pep in our step. We're preparing properly and we'll need to be at our very best if we're going to come through a tough test in Derry."