Eddie McCallion and Mark Farren celebrate their semi-final win

Eddie McCallion hopes to make it a hat-trick of FAI Cup winners' medals when he lines up for Derry City against Bohemians in Sunday's final at the RDS.

McCallion was part of the Candystripes sides which won the showpiece cup deciders against Shamrock Rovers in 2002 and St Patrick's Athletic in 2006.

"I've never lost a final and I don't intend losing this one," said McCallion prior to the RDS showdown.

"I don't mind in which position I play as long as I am playing," he added.

"We went into the game as underdogs against Shamrock Rovers in 2002 but it was a great occasion for me personally as my brother Tommy also played in that game.

"Everyone remembers that final as a terrific game with two sets of passionate supporters.

"The 4-3 win over St Pat's in 2006 was a memorable day too but if anything our present squad is probably even stronger than those teams.

"We play more attacking football and are sound defensively too.

"Although Bohemians are league champions, we are unbeaten against them this year and while we will give them the respect they deserve, we go into the final in a confident frame of mind.

"We have done pretty well against them in recent seasons but a cup final victory would be the icing on the cake."

McCallion is expecting a great day out for players, management, officials and supporters at the Dublin venue.

"Playing at the RDS is a first for a lot of the players but it is all about the game and the result.

"It is important that we don't give away silly free-kicks and defend well at set-pieces and if we do that and contain them we are in with a great chance.

"We have players in our ranks who can put them under pressure such as Niall McGinn, Mark Farren and Sammy Morrow, players with special ability who can cause them a lot of problems.

"When I started at Derry City I never imagined that we would go full-time but that is what we have done thanks to a lot of hard work by the people involved with the club.

"The atmosphere generated by our run in Europe a few years ago was amazing and we have a chance to re-enact that next season."

There will be live coverage of the final on Radio Foyle MW from 1445 GMT on Sunday 23 November.

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