Derry on right road ahead of FAI Cup final - Ruaidhri Higgins

Ruaidhri Higgins is happy to take on the favourites tag for the FAI Cup final, however, the Derry City manager is expecting a close encounter against Shelbourne in Sunday's decider at the Aviva Stadium.

The Candystripes boss is planning to take the cup back up the motorway to Derry after the game but, regardless of the result, Higgins believes his side are on the right road following a very competitive League of Ireland season.

City were the main challengers to champions Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign, and while they faded in the final furlong, eventually finishing 13 points behind the Hoops, they held on to a deserved second-place finish.

European football is guaranteed for next season on the banks of the Foyle, and now Derry are looking to sign off in style by securing their sixth FAI Cup success.

"The excitement is building, I can’t wait and there is a really good spirit in the town, which is great to see," said Higgins, speaking to RTE Sport.

"We’re delighted with the progress we’re making, and we’re on the right road. In a short space of time, we’ve made significant progress and it would be amazing to top it off with a bit of silverware."

Higgins is happy with his options ahead of Sunday’s clash and admits that he used the last couple of league games to manage some players to ensure he has the best available eleven on the pitch at Lansdowne Road.

The manager will be looking to key men like Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy to lead by example, having played in several showpiece games while at Dundalk, while he anticipates that one of his emerging players may steal the spotlight come Sunday.

"The games have been very tight between us, and that is all we can go with. I expect it to be