Co Louth side travel to Brandywell for Candystripes’ last home game of the season

Airtricity League Premier Division:

Derry City v Dundalk (Friday, 7.45pm)

Derry City winger Kevin Dos Santos says maintaining a positive mindset throughout the season has been crucial for him.

The Candystripes host Dundalk at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this evening in their penultimate league game of the year, and the Portuguese winger is targeting another strong result.

Dos Santos has endured an up‑and‑down campaign due to injury, but he remains upbeat, plays with a smile on his face and carries a spring in his step — a big reason why he is so popular among his team‑mates.

While the Brandywell faithful are already turning their attention to next month’s Club Orange FAI Cup final against Waterford, the 26‑year‑old insists he isn’t looking that far ahead.

Instead, he wants to contribute in the final league fixtures, whether that’s from the start or off the bench.

“To be honest, I don’t want to focus on myself or on the cup final,” he said.

“Obviously when it comes, it comes, but right now we’ve got two league games left. God willing I start, but if I don’t, we as a team need to build good momentum going into the final.

“If we do have that momentum, then it’s up to Mark (Connolly) to pick the team. Hopefully he picks the right one, but either way, if I get my chance I’ll do everything I can for the betterment of the team.

“Even if I’m not selected, I always try to be positive. Coming off the bench or starting, it’s important to have that mindset. I always look to help the team whenever I’m playing.

“Look, if I help the team, then I’m helping myself — that’s my mindset going into every game.”

Dos Santos, who nodded home City’s winner against title‑chasing St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night, expects another tight encounter against Ciarán Kilduff’s Dundalk.

He hopes to finish the home league campaign with a result that sends supporters away happy.

“We want to put a smile on the fans’ faces on Friday night and finish our home season at the Brandywell with three points — that’s what we’re aiming for,” he said.

“But we know it’s going to be tough against Dundalk, as every game against them this year has been hard.

“We beat them in the FAI Cup a few months ago and we know how tough that game was. All the matches against them this season have been difficult, so we know they’ll be at it — but we’ll definitely be at it as well.

“We spoke before Monday’s game about building momentum going into the final. Even on Sunday at training, ahead of St Pat’s, all the boys were up for it. That’s how we’ve been all week — with the mindset of getting another three points, this time against Dundalk.”

The former Atlético Ottawa man was pleased to score his fifth goal of the season, arriving at the back post to head home Darragh Burns’ deep cross — a combination the pair have been working on.

“It’s something me, Darragh and the rest of the boys work on after training,” he explained. “It’s important for wingers to get into the box — you get a lot of goals coming in at the back post.

“Thankfully on Monday night I was there and managed to get the goal that won us the game, which was the most important thing. After Friday’s loss at Drogheda, I was glad we had the chance to play again quickly and, more importantly, get the win.”