Old rivals clashat Drumahoe

In recent seasons both clubs have clashed on and off the pitch.

The Waterside men defeating Adrian Forbes’ side in the semi-final of the Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup, however after a protest from Dergview, ’Stute were rightfully booted out of the competition, as striker Joe McCready was ineligible to play.

Then this season the Castlederg out-fit, who were down to nine men for virtually 80 minutes, battled hard and earned a point when Aaron Arkinson’s goal cancelled out Neil Harkin’s earlier strike.

Because of those two games boss Paul Kee is expecting another tasty encounter, at the Riverside Stadium this weekend.

“The last couple of matches there definitely has been a wee bit of niggle and there is going to be a edge to this weekend’s tie,” admitted Kee.

“The Irish Cup is important in terms of finances, as we know that if we get past Dergview then we have a chance of maybe getting a decent home tie.

“Hopefully they’ll be a good crowd at Drumahoe for the Dergview tie, because we are trying to entertain at the minute. If people come and watch us then we’ll try and put on a good display and because of that I would say that the Dergview game will be a good spectacle.”

Last weekend while ’Stute were producing a good all round team display, Dergview suffered a 3-1 home defeat to in-form Warrenpoint Town, but Kee isn’t taking anything for granted.

“At the end of the day it’s Championship side versus Championship side and I know that they’ll make a big effort to come to Drumahoe and win.

“Tommy Canning and Adrian Forbes will have them highly motivated, but we just have to stand up to it.

“We have a good head of steam going at the minute and we want that momentum to continue,” stated the ’Stute boss.

The Drumahoe men have a virtually fit squad, with only Declan McKeever a major doubt, after the midfielder was very unfortunate to get another kick on his already injured ankle, in the last few minutes of Saturday’s win over Loughgall.

Meanwhile fellow local men Oxford United Stars make the trip to Belfast to face Harland & Wolff Welders, knowing if they can cause an upset, then they too would be in the fifth round hoping to draw one of the big guns.