Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview (25th April 2025)

 

Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview (25^th April 2025)

 

Waterford FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 12, Regional Sports Centre, Friday 25^th April 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Registering back-to-back victories over Galway United and Sligo Rovers over Easter weekend, Derry City now make the long journey to Waterford on Friday night. The Blues have lost all seven of their last league games and will be desperate to get points on the board. With a home tie against Shelbourne on the horizon, Tiernan Lynch’s Candystripes will hope to continue their winning streak and close the gap to the top with victory in the RSC on Friday.

Derry City:

After capitulating and falling to defeat at home to Drogheda United a week earlier, Derry City were tasked with an away trip to Galway United on Good Friday before hosting Sligo Rovers on Tuesday. Winless in Galway since 2015, and with a selection dilemma being coupled by consistent rainfall on the west coast, it looked like City had a real task ahead of them in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

With a heavy pitch and difficult conditions looking likely to play into the hands of Galway United, Derry City set out without key players through suspension and injury but handed starts to both Gavin Whyte and Dom Thomas in an effort to switch things up. As they were against Cork City a couple of weeks back, those two were instrumental in Derry heading back up the road with a 3-2 win.

Both sides began the game with good chances, but it was the visitors who led just after the quarter hour mark when Danny Mullen headed Evan Watts’ rebounded Michael Duffy effort into the goal. That was Derry’s first goal in Galway since 2017 and warranted Mullen’s selection in the starting eleven. Despite Brian Maher denying Rob Slevin on the 33^rd minute, United went into the break with the scores even when Slevin’s through ball was prodded over Maher by American midfielder Patrick Hickey with just two minutes left of the half. 1-1 at the break.

Galway’s lead didn’t last long after the restart. Just one minute and 46 seconds into the half, Dom Thomas laid the ball off to Robbie Benson, who tucked the ball beautifully into the top corner. A near-instant response from the reinvigorated Candystripes, despite losing manager Tiernan Lynch to a red card at half-time. As the rain kept falling and the match got scrappier, City hung on against the now ten-man United following Cian Byrne’s dismissal early in the second period. The game was put to bed in stoppage time, much to the delight of the travelling support. Paul McMullan broke after picking up the ball from a heavy touch in the wet turf and drove towards the weakened Galway defence, sliding in Gavin Whyte who fired home to open his City account. Pointing to the badge as he ran towards the away end, City went up the road with three points. Despite a late Vincent Borden consolation goal, I had lost my voice at the back of the away end and the Candystripes had won in Galway for the first time in almost a decade. A very soggy trip, but those are the best when City dig deep for a huge win.

I have to be honest and say I wasn’t hopeful in the car heading down to Galway. It’s one of the toughest places in the league to go and the weather was playing into the home side’s hands. With the likes of O’Reilly, Boyce and Doherty all missing, I thought Galway would go direct and hit us for two or three. I even uttered the words, ‘Jesus I’d take a draw here now’. That wasn’t the case though, as City dug in to claim three huge points and close the gap to the top three. The defence was solid, with Connolly, Holt, Cann and later Todd letting very little past them. The only two lapses in concentration led to Galway’s two goals, with the second coming from a dread set piece. Danny Mullen led the line well, as did Sean Patton when he came on. We made it tough for the home side, stretching the play and making Michael Duffy and Dom Thomas integral to the play.

Mullen’s goal was his first of the season, as was Gavin Whyte’s and Robbie Benson’s. Paul McMullan’s assist for Whyte was his first goal involvement of 2025, whilst Dom Thomas’ assist for Benson’s goal ensured that he’s made three goals for City this term. Everyone to a man was superb and played with real passion and determination. The referee was fond of a card denied what seemed to be a clear goalscoring opportunity for City when Gavin Whyte was flagged offside in the first half despite starting his run from inside his own half when the ball was played. That was evened out when he denied Galway what looked to be a clear penalty in the second half. All-in-all an impressive performance from the Candystripes, who’s attention turned to the Sligo Rovers game on Tuesday – four days after they’d beaten Waterford 4-0 away to move off the foot of the table.

Without Tiernan Lynch on the sideline through suspension, Seamus Lynch and his men set out to impress the City faithful and Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimson in the Brandywell on Tuesday. Against a Sligo Rovers side who despatched Waterford four days prior, the Candystripes did just that. Naming an unchanged lineup from that which won away in Galway, City welcomed the suspended Adam O’Reilly and Liam Boyce back onto the bench.

For the second match in a row, Danny Mullen opened the scoresheet for Derry City within the opening sixteen minutes. After Gavin Whyte’s shot deflected in the box and hit Mullen in what seemed to be the forearm, the Scottish striker swivelled and drilled the ball below Sam Sargeant in the Rovers goal. Despite the Sligo protestations, City had a home lead. Lynch’s side peppered the away side’s goal and eventually doubled their advantage on the 25 minute mark. An excellent block by Sam Todd, who was rock solid at left back for City, landed kindly for Gavin Whyte. The Northern Ireland international carried the ball from his own half, beating Jake Doyle-Hayes for pace to leave himself 1v1 with the Sligo shot-stopper. In a picture-perfect replay of his goal against Galway, Whyte slotted into the bottom left corner before wheeling away in celebration. An absolute wondergoal from the 29 year old, who has reached a different level since regaining full fitness.

A poked effort by young defender Gareth McElroy from close range was Rovers’ best chance of the first half, but it took City just 49 seconds to add to their lead after the second half begun. A Michael Duffy free kick on the far touchline met the head of Danny Mullen, who had time in the box to pick his spot and grab himself a brace. Two for Mullen, three for Derry – and with the vast majority of the second half still to play, City had the points in the bag.

The remaining 47 minutes of the second half, including stoppage time, were mostly uneventful. City played with more caution and introduced Adam O’Reilly, Liam Boyce, Hayden Cann, Paul McMullan and Sean Patton before the half was out. It was a rare opportunity for some of the side’s key players to be rested as Rovers’ young team failed to consistently threaten Brian Maher’s goal. Both Michael Duffy and Liam Boyce had good chances in the second period, the latter should have bagged himself a brace. The 34 year old forward scooped a Sean Patton cross over the crossbar from six yards out with ten minutes to play. Sligo’s Francely Lomboto almost had a consolation for the away side when he rounded Brian Maher, but failed to convert the chance. Three goals and three points for Derry City and it’s the first Friday-Monday/Tuesday doubleheader that City have picked up maximum points from since beating UCD and Bohemians back to back in May 2023. I hope Mr Hallgrimson has Michael Duffy’s phone number handy.

After the victory over Galway United on Friday, City made it back-to-back wins for only the second time this season with Tuesday’s comfortable win at home to Sligo Rovers. A bogey team for City in recent times, the Candystripes have beaten them twice already this season and haven’t conceded against John Russell’s side. Sam Todd was immense playing out of position at left-back, as were his defensive partners. Ronan Boyce’s start was his 151^st appearance as a Derry City player, showing the experience and quality he has at 23 years of age. Winchester and Benson’s experience added a calmness to the midfield and allowed Gavin Whyte freedom to create. Adding to his first goal for the club against Galway, Whyte’s strike on Tuesday will surely be up for goal of the month. His off the ball movement, first touch and turn of pace show just why he’s been capped 29 times by Northern Ireland – if his form keeps up, he may find himself back in the fold in the near future.

Michael Duffy’s assist for Danny Mullen’s goal was his sixth goal involvement of the season, whilst Danny Mullen is now up to three in the league for goals. Dom Thomas was energetic down the right flank and stretched the play for City, whilst Sam Todd’s assist for Whyte’s goal was his first goal involvement since scoring the winner away to Cork City in the FAI Cup last August. The Candystripes couldn’t buy a goal six weeks ago, but have now scored six in their last two. Tiernan Lynch will be keen to carry the good form into Friday’s game with Waterford – a side stricken to the relegation zone following seven losses on the bounce.

Waterford:

With just over a quarter of the season behind us, Waterford fans will likely view the first eleven games as disappointing. Sitting just above the relegation zone but distanced from the European places, the Blues have struggled for consistency in 2025. After opening the campaign with three wins from their first four; three away wins against Sligo Rovers, Derry City and rivals Cork City at that, Waterford lost all of their next seven league games. Sandwiched between that was a disappointing Leinster Senior Cup defeat against Munster Senior League side Rockmount AFC. With hopes of a top half finish looking prior the campaign, Keith Long left his role as Waterford boss the morning after last Friday's 4-0 home defeat to Sligo Rovers. He’s been replaced by Matt Lawlor on an interim basis, who saw his new side slip to derby defeat away to Cork City via a 95^th minute suckerpunch on Easter Monday. With 21 goals conceded in 11 games so far in 2025, Lawlor has a job on his hands to keep Waterford from capitulating entirely this campaign.

With eighteen departures in the off-season, you can see why Waterford’s new signings may be struggling to mould. Shamrock Rovers loanee Conan Noonan has been the standout of the new arrivals. With just three goal involvements registered from attacking midfield to date, you may think that’s a modest return, but the 22 year old’s turn of pace and reading of the game from the centre of the park have troubled many a defence. He assisted Kacper Radkowski’s opener in their 2-1 win in the Brandywell in late February and ran the show for the visitors that night. If it wasn’t for some last ditch defending, he’d have found himself on the scoresheet too. He’d improve most teams in the Premier Division and will carve his way into Shamrock Rovers’ first team when he returns should he continue to impress.

Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper Stephen McMullan, on-loan from Fleetwood Town, has been a mainstay between the sticks for Long’s men this season, whilst former Manchester City midfielder Rowan McDonald has made the holding midfield position his own – registering two goals and an assist this year. He was recently taken off injured away to Shamrock Rovers, however. Pádraig Amond, last season’s joint top scorer for the Premier Division alongside Pat Hoban, has started all of Waterford’s game this season and continues to be the focal point up top. Dutch forward Maarten Pouwels, who stands at 6 foot 7, Tommy Lonergan, Sam Glenfield and former City striker Matty Smith aren’t bad deputies in the forward line either. Kyle White was shown red for picking up two yellows in seven minutes in Waterford on Friday, as the Blues capitulated and shipped four against the side who went into the game rock bottom of the table. Dean McMenamy misses out on Friday through suspension. 

I’m a man for an obscure signing though, so I’ve kept an eye on Waterford’s Navajo Bakboord, Trae Coyle and James Olayinka. Full-back Bakboord has played five times for the Suriname national team and played 20 times in the Eredivisie with Heracles Almelo last year – it’s not often you get someone with that much gametime in the Dutch top flight switch to the League of Ireland. Trae Coyle and James Olayinka are both former Arsenal academy players. Coyle was fast-tracked into the Arsenal first team as a teenager by Mikel Arteta during the COVID-struck 2020 season, before going on loan to Gillingham later that year. He’s arrived at Waterford off the back of four years at Lausanne Sport in the Swiss Super League. Olayinka was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties in the 2020 Community Shield and joins Waterford after spells as Northampton Town, Southend United and Cheltenham Town. Ironically, all three players were hooked in the second half in the defeat over Sligo.

With the worst goal difference in the league and sitting second bottom in the table, both Waterford will be looking for all three points on Friday to restart the season under Matt Lawlor. The home side have the league’s second worst defence, conceding 21, and the lowest goals-for metric, scoring nine. Not ideal for the Munster blues, who will hope for a new manager bounce to see them build distance from the drop in the coming weeks. All may not be lost just yet for the Blues faithful, as they sit just one point off their Munster rivals Cork City in eighth. Unfortunately for the league’s bottom three sides, the five point gap between 7th and 9^th already looks like it could be a tough hill to climb. With almost of a third of the season gone, it seems like it’ll be Waterford, Cork City and Sligo Rovers fighting it out to stay in the Premier Division come November.

Round-up:

It’s been a tough few weeks for Waterford who, after losing seven in a row in the league, find themselves second bottom of the table and desperate for points. They haven’t beaten Derry City in the RSC since March 2020, whilst City have won three of the last four against the Blues in Munster. Waterford’s 2-1 win over City earlier this year was one of three wins in their first four matches, and looked to shine light on their season, but the Blues haven’t picked up as much as a point since beating Cork City on the 3^rd of March – scoring twice and conceding sixteen in the process. With the form Derry are in, they’ll be hoping to add to Waterford’s woes. Now just three points off the top of the table, and evening out their goal difference, City will be hoping for all three points in the RSC to be taken seriously as contenders at the top of the table. For the first time in a long time, things are looking up for the Candystripes.