Kenny rules out negative approach

Live Live on BBC Radio Foyle MW and this website Turner's Cross Friday, 18 November Kick-off: 1945 GMT

Derry City manager Stephen Kenny has insisted that his side will not adopt a defensive attitude in Friday's Eircom League title decider against Cork City.

Kenny says "playing for the draw" would be a dangerous game.

"If you lost the game to a late goal because you didn't really try to win, you would kick yourself," said Kenny, who has no injury worries for the game.

"We played progressively all year and to play cagily in this the ultimate game, just wouldn't make sense."

The Dubliner is urging his players to "relish rather than fear" Friday's contest, where a draw will be enough to earn the Candystripes the title.

"The week the demands on the players and everyone involved in the club are quite taxing.

We have 22 fit players which is quite an achievement Derry manager Stephen Kenny

"But you want to be involved in the games that matter, the title run-ins."

Derry travelled to Dublin on Thursday afternoon and will spend the night in the capital before travelling to Cork on Friday morning.

"It's amazing that we could get to France or Holland or Belgium quicker.

"You can even fly from Derry to Malaga but you can't fly from Derry to Cork."

Kenny is relieved that the team bus will travel to Cork with an injury-free squad.

"We have 22 fit players which is quite an achievement.

Paul Hegarty is a great person to have around the place Stephen Kenny

"It's really down to our physio Declan McCarron and Colm O'Neill who has been working with us this year on injury rehabilitation.

"Their work has been tremendous as has been the contribution of many others.

"Paul Hegarty (Kenny's assistant) has been brilliant with the players and is a great person to have around the place.

"Also, Declan Devine is a very innovative coach and doesn't get the credit he deserves because people take him for granted as he's been around the club for a long time."

Cork striker John O'Flynn is likely to be declared fit after having treatment on a groin injury this week.

Goalkeeper Michael Devine is also expected to play despite a bout of 'flu this week.