Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins speaking to BBC Sport NI: “We didn’t show enough consistency throughout the season but we now have an opportunity to finish the season on a really high note and give this city something to cheer about and make a lot of people happy.
“That’s what we’re in football for, to have special days like this. Cup finals are all about winning so whatever we need to win it we need to do.
“If we can play anywhere near the levels of performance from a couple of years ago [the win over Shels] then we give ourselves a really good chance.
“I can’t remember a route to the final like it. Every time a draw was made you’re wincing, such difficult ties, but the players deserve so much credit, showing real strength of character at difficult venues and at home. I hope we can go one better, it would mean so much to everyone connected with the club.
“We know we are slight favourites in some people’s eyes. We have to embrace and enjoy everything about it. We’ve a chance to win two in three years and that’s the motivation.”
Derry have the opportunity to qualify for European competition with a cup final win.
“We are a club that expects to be in European competition. There’s no doubt about that.
“It’s been a strange few weeks, we had a chance of winning the league and now we need to win the cup to qualify for Europe. It’s been a rollercoaster year, some good performances, some not so good, but we know we’re capable on these types of occasions to play well and perform well.”