Hegarty plots the downfall of holders

A sell-out crowd of 5,000 is expected at Finn Park tonight to see Finn Harps take on their local rivals Derry City for a place…

A sell-out crowd of 5,000 is expected at Finn Park tonight to see Finn Harps take on their local rivals Derry City for a place in the quarter-finals of the Ford-sponsored FAI Cup.

Finn Harps manager Paul Hegarty will try to engineer the downfall of the side he helped capture the FAI Cup last season when he was assistant manager at Derry City.

"It means nothing now because I'm employed by Finn Harps now," he said. "I'm a Donegalman, too. It's a big occasion for me but ultimately it's all about the players. I can't cross the white line once the game starts. All the pressure is on Derry because they're cup holders, but we think if we play to our full potential we can win."

Neil Lloyd (broken jaw) will miss the game, while Shaun Holmes is struggling with a calf injury, but otherwise Harps carry a full squad into the match.

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Longford Town, who face Fanad United at Flancare Park tonight, will have to do without the services of their cup-tied trio Colm James, Ian Ryan and Seán Kelly, while Mark Rutherford remains injured. Daire Doyle is suspended for this fixture.

The Bohemians manager, Seán Connor, does not need to be reminded of the danger facing him when his side play Malahide United at Gannon Park tomorrow - two years ago Connor's Sligo Rovers were held to a draw by Malahide United in the FAI Cup. The Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy is fit again and should start, while new signing Chris Turner will make his debut at some stage.

Malahide's Mark McCormack (ankle) and Wayne Griffin (hamstring) are doubtful.