Derry’s Ciaran Coll desperate to make more FAI Cup memories ahead of Bohemians clash

The Derry City defender (33) had just won the first trophy of his career after his side defeated Shelbourne 4-0 in the FAI Cup final – the club's first triumph in a decade – as Ruaidhrí Higgins side celebrated with thousands of fans in the heart of the city the following night.

Fast forward to 2024 and the Candystripes stand one game away from returning to Lansdowne Road, with a blockbuster semi-final clash against Bohemians to come this Friday.

Their title charge may be stuttering coming into the home straight with just one win in seven, but this week there's only one thing on the mind for Coll and his team-mates, victory at Dalymount and booking their spot in the showpiece.

"Bringing that cup back to Derry and thousands outside the Guildhall waiting for us, hopefully we can bring it back to the city again for everyone, our families, it would be a massive achievement," said Coll.

"It was unbelievable. I remember walking up on a lorry on the back of the stage and I just got goose-bumps. Hopefully we can take it back again for the club and for the city.

"I was able to take my wee boy onto the pitch and hopefully I can do it again with my other wee boy as well. He was just one (in 2022) and there's another wee boy now, he's only 17 months. It's more pictures and memories for them and hopefully they can follow in my footsteps some day.

"It just makes you want to continue to win more, give you that bit of hunger to get more. Now that I don't have much playing time left, I just want to do my best for the team and the city.

"The year we won it, I remember the crowd that Derry brought down, Shelbourne fans as well, the atmosphere was brilliant. The national stadium, Ireland play there and my young boy now, hopefully he can go out there and play with Ireland when he's older. My biggest memory ever was coming to the Aviva here and winning the cup final. It's something I would love to do again."

Despite taking just six points from their last six league outings, Higgins' men still remain second in the Premier Division and close behind leaders Shels with five games remaining, having defeated Damien Duff's men in the last eight earlier this month to set up a date with Bohs. The Donegal man has no concerns about their recent league form affecting the last-four tie.

"We have had setbacks before and rebounded from them really well the following week. So everyone is raring to go because this is a massive game for us," added Coll, who signed for Derry in 2019 from Finn Harps.

"You look at every team, they have all had setbacks this year. I think things just didn't go right for us on Friday night (2-1 defeat at Drogheda), so hopefully this Friday we'll put those mistakes behind us.

"We are (seven games away from a potential double) but we don't want to look too far ahead. Every game between now and the end of the season is going to be a cup final for us."