Trojans eye up League Cup final success

Derry intermediate side Trojans take on Strabane Athletic in the final of the Pharmacy Supplies League Cup at Newbuildings this afternoon (kick-off 1.30pm).

Paul Higgins’ side make the short trip hoping for an upturn in fortunes after another promising season slipped off the rails in the past few weeks.

Dreams of landing one of the Irish League big boys in a remarkable Irish Cup run were ended when they narrowly lost to Loughgall, while defeat to Crumlin Star saw them lose their grip on the Intermediate Cup.

If they are to get back on the straight and narrow, Trojans will have to do it the hard way as they go into this afternoon’s clash without some of the most influential players in their squad.

Both Darren McFadden and Niall Grace are suspended while Mark McLaughlin and Emmett Harkin are out with long-term injuries.

There are also serious doubts over Thomas Burke and Caolan Cooley.

As holders of all three Intermediate trophies, Trojans will go into the game as favourites but Higgins knows better than to take any opponent in the Intermediate League for granted.

“We’ve already played Strabane this season, winning 1-0 in what was a very tight encounter,” he said.

“A draw would probably have been a fair result on the day but we held out for the 1-0 victory. I’m expecting another tough physical battle on Saturday because Strabane have improved from last year under their new manager Paddy Foy.”

Despite missing some of their big-hitters, Higgins remains confident his group of players retain the know-how and the ability to see them over the line on the way to another trophy.

“With so many players missing out this gives others within the squad a chance to show their worth and what better time to do so than in a final,” he continued.