Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 10, Weaver’s Park, Friday 12^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It was a case of no-Hoban-no-problem for Derry City as they thumped stricken Dundalk 4-1 at the Brandywell to end a three-game winless streak and climb back to second in the Premier Division table. Goals from Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching, Danny Mullen and Michael Duffy saw City cruise past the Louth side, who sacked manager Stephen O’Donnell after the loss and find themselves rock bottom of the table – winless this term. Derry face Dundalk’s Louth and relegation zone neighbours Drogheda United on Friday, as the Candystripes aim to build on some positive momentum following a handful of poor performances.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men seemed to have a bit of confidence about them on Friday night, showing the signs of a reinvigorated side. City's manager spoke before the game on how he wanted his team to put in a shift that would get the fans back on side and, particularly in the second half, they did just that. It seemed that fans, players and staff alike were pleased to have the pressure lifted and get a bit of positivity back about the Brandywell. Adam O’Reilly and Will Patching were particularly impressive in controlling the midfield, crowning their performances by each finding the back of the net. Another positive was seeing the returns of Cameron Dummigan and Ben Doherty after injuries, whilst four different scorers showed that Pat Hoban wasn’t as much a miss as feared.

 

It doesn’t feel like two months ago since Drogheda travelled to the Brandywell on the opening day of the season and, with the first round of fixtures behind us, a quarter of 2024’s league games have already been played. Since their 2-1 defeat in the Brandywell in mid-February, Drogheda’s season hasn’t quite gone to plan. Their only win came over Bohemians, a 2-1 victory in early March. The Drogs are coming off the back of a run which has seen them draw their last three fixtures, although holding table toppers Shelbourne and third placed St Patrick’s Athletic are certainly not bad results.

 

Drogheda have struggled for goals this season and it seems to be hurting them. Left back Evan Weir is their top league scorer with three goals. Andrew Quinn, Steve Zishim Bawa and Derry native Oisin Gallagher are the club’s only other league scorers – chipping in with a goal each. Haitian striker Frantz Pierrot, who was highly sought after following a bountiful season in the First Division with Athlone Town last year, has failed to hit the ground running. He has featured in seven of Drogs’ eight games and hasn’t yet found the back of the net. Warren Davis is also scoreless in eight games this season, leading manager Kevin Doherty to trust veteran midfielder Ryan Brennan with leading the line against Shelbourne last week.

 

Playmaker Darragh Markey is always a threat when Drogheda play. The former St. Pat’s man contributed to five goals last season and is tricky in the number ten role. Derry man Oisin Gallagher, who is on loan from Lincoln City, opened his account for the season with a smart finish against Shelbourne last week, and is versatile across the midfield. Despite not scoring this term, Frantz Pierrot’s strength and presence in the attack can’t be undermined – his twenty-two goal haul last season speaks for itself. Former Finn Harps man Adam Foley also netted a hattrick in a recent 4-0 win over Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup. Drogheda United certainly aren’t a bad side and have talent in the team which would arguably warrant a higher placing in the league than were they find themselves.

 

Derry City could do with continuing their newfound run of form and winning away to Drogheda on Friday, especially considering the double-header against Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat’s the weekend after. The Candystripes are unbeaten in their last four against Drogheda and have lost just twice of the last nine games against the Louth side, going back to March 2022. Weaver’s Park is a tough place to go to though, with City coming out on top in just one of the last five meetings between the two there. Adam O’Reilly scored his first Derry City goal in this fixture last year - he’ll be hoping to find another this time out.

 

With the gap to top spot still sitting at six points, Derry need to be winning in order to stay in the hunt for the title. Drogheda find themselves three points from safety and need to turn their unbeaten streak into wins across the next few weeks in order to gain some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The game on Friday mightn’t be a pretty one, but both sides will be aiming for the win in order to keep tabs in their fights at either end of the table.

Pól O'Hare - 11 April 2024