Drogheda Untited v Derry City: Match Preview (September 2025)

Drogheda United FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 32, Sullivan & Lambe Park, Friday 26^th September 2025 kick-off 7.45pm

Celebrating forty years since their first League of Ireland match, Derry City held champions Shelbourne to a 1-1 draw in the Brandywell last Friday. The points maintain Derry’s status in the European places, despite slipping to third after Bohemians’ victory over Waterford. It’s a tricky trip to Drogheda next for the Candystripes, who face another direct rival in the European places with five games to go.

Derry City:

As the autumn sun set over the Brandywell last Friday, Derry City hosted Shelbourne for the second time since the Dublin side won the league there last November. Holding a seven point buffer on the champions, despite Joey O’Brien’s side having two games in hand, this game was more of a must-not-lose than must-win for Tiernan Lynch’s men.

In that sense, the 1-1 draw wasn’t too bad of a result. Not ideal, but by no means a disaster. For the most part, the game was fairly uneventful. Both sides had possession of the ball in the opening stages and sussed each other out. Jamie Stott nodded a Brandon Fleming cross over the bar on 25 minutes, while Dan Kelly blasted over the bar from close range with the first of two big chances in the first half for the visitors.

The deadlock was broken by the home side on the 40^th minute mark, when a brilliant ball from Carl Winchester was brought down by Dipo Akinyemi. The English striker jinked inside and saw his pass take a favourable, bouncing deflection into the path of Adam O’Reilly, who expertly lobbed Wessel Speel to fire the Candystripes ahead. That’s a fourth goal in as many games for the midfielder, who has come into his own playing further forward.

There was a cheer louder than that for the goal right on the half-time mark, when Ali Coote managed to wriggle past Brian Maher and see the open goal at his mercy. The onrushing Sam Todd chased back to get a foot in front of the Scottish winger and clear the ball away from just a yard or two from the net. A clearance as good as goal, as Sam Todd had yet another stellar performance. What looks to be a quad injury picked up by Dipo Akinyemi just seconds before the half ended put a dampener on proceedings, as City’s new number ten looks to have known that his season was over when walking off.

It took less than ten minutes after the restart for Shelbourne to equalise. A brilliant passing move saw Kerr McInroy’s shot saved by Brian Maher, before the rebound fell for Mipo Odubeko to prod home for his seventh league of the campaign. From then on in, there wasn’t much to write home about. Despite introducing Danny Mullen, Gavin Whyte, Cameron Dummigan and Mark Connolly, City failed to threaten Speel’s goal. The away side dominated the ball for spells of the second period but left Brian Maher untested as the shares were spoiled in the Brandywell.

With Friday night’s point under the belt, Derry City are four points clear of St Pat’s and Drogheda in fourth and fifth. With just five games to go, and only two those at home, a win against Drogheda United would be vital in consolidating a European finish. That’s certainly easier said than done, and with Tiernan Lynch struck with two more injury concerns in the last week, City’s thin squad will need to give it their all for the next month.

Dipo Akinyemi has joined Liam Boyce and Ben Doherty on the treatment table. All three are out for the season, leaving the forward areas particularly short. With Sean Patton departing for Reading during the summer, Danny Mullen is City’s only fit senior striker. A quality player who is often utilised off the bench, Lynch will be relying on the 30 year old Scotsman to lead the line in five huge games between now and November. His energy was noticeable off the bench against Shelbourne, but he was well marshalled by Paddy Barrett and Sam Bone. Not the tallest of strikers, he has a task on his hands to get the better of 6 foot 7 Conor Keeley, and 6 foot 2 duo Conor Bolger and Andrew Quinn. Best with the ball at his feet, the ownness will be on the likes of Michael Duffy and Gavin Whyte to feed Mullen opportunities in behind the centre backs. Friday will mark a milestone for the aforementioned Duffy, who will make his 200^th appearance in a Derry City shirt.

Robbie Benson started at right back against Shelbourne. It was the experienced midfielder’s sixth start of the campaign, but he slotted in well in the absence of the suspended Ronan Boyce. Cameron Dummigan made his first Brandywell appearance since the 9^th of August 2024 when he replaced Alex Bannon on the 76^th minute. Speaking of Bannon, he, Jamie Stott and Sam Todd marshalled Shelbourne’s Mipo Odubeko well and looked progressive in their passing.

The City faithful will be hoping for an increase in intensity from their side in Drogheda on Friday night. In the second half against Shelbourne, it looked like the previous week’s hectic game against Bohemians had taken its toll. Despite looking slightly leggy later on, and sitting off Shelbourne, allowing them to hold onto possession, City’s defending players sat tight and absorbed pressure. That’s likely the approach that Drogheda will take on Friday, while looking to hit on the counter as they’re so effective in doing. With just fifteen points left to play for, and without sounding like a broken record, this is another crucial game in the run-in.

Drogheda United:

In the last twelve months, fans of Drogheda United have gone through every football-related emotion imaginable. Threatened by relegation all season, they won the relegation play-off to stay in the Premier Division, a week after winning the FAI Cup for the first time in nineteen years, qualifying for Europe for the first time in eleven years in doing so. Finishing second from bottom but winning the cup for only the second time would’ve been quite the fortnight for the Drogheda faithful.

Fast forward to September 2025 and Drogheda United never had their European day out in the sun after being expelled due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules in June. After beating Crumlin United and Derry City in the first two rounds of their FAI Cup defence, they fell on penalties to Shamrock Rovers in the quarterfinal, despite a 95^th minute Andrew Quinn overhead kick equaliser. Grateful to be without the relegation worry of last few years, Drogheda United face five huge games to earn another crack at European football.

Top of the league after fourteen matches, Kevin Doherty’s men find themselves in fifth, just four points off the European places. Qualifying for Europe on league merit would be a huge achievement for Doherty and his men, who only went full time after last year’s cup triumph. With the margins so tight, and the games remaining so few, it becomes clear why Friday’s tie with Derry City could be season defining.

Fifth in the home form table and fourth in the away, Drogheda United are a notoriously hard team to beat. Their thirteen draws is the joint most in the league, and when you consider that they’ve beaten Derry City, Shelbourne and Bohemians this year, they mean business fighting in the upper reaches of the table.

Strong and athletic yet experienced and well-drilled, Kevin Doherty’s plan of attack is to start from the defence. Holding the second best defensive record in the league, conceding just 30 goals, they’ve conceded six fewer than Derry City and only four more than table toppers Shamrock Rovers. When you consider that they conceded 58 and 54 in the previous two campaigns, it shows that going full time has paid off. Beating champions Shelbourne 2-1 on Monday night despite having just 23% possession speaks volumes about how tough this side are to crack.

American goalkeeper Luke Dennison is a fans favourite in Louth, often coming up trumps and making himself the hero. He’s behind only St Patrick’s Athletic’s Ghanian international Joey Anang in terms of clean sheets, with 13 in 30 games. Dennison saved two of Derry City’s three penalties in August’s FAI Cup third round penalty shootout, and watched Adam Frizzell’s fly over the bar. Going from Bohemians’ bench to one of the best keepers in the league in two years has been some rise for the 29 year old.

In front of Dennison, centre backs Conor Keeley and Andrew Quinn have developed a solid partnership and aren’t shy in front of goal either. Keeley has scored seven goals in league and cup action this season, including a brace in the Brandywell in April - the highest goal return of any defender in the league. Quinn’s stoppage time overhead kick equaliser against Shamrock Rovers in the cup quarter final was a goal of the season contender. He’s bagged twice in cup action against Derry City in the past year, once after just two minutes in this season’s third round and the opener in the 2024 final.

Providing the width to United’s defence are Owen Lambe and Conor Kane. Elicha Ahui has struggled this season with injuries, but was a standout performer at right back last year and won Man of the Match in the cup final. Californian fullback Owen Lambe has assisted four goals this season and settled into Irish football swiftly after a move from Orange County SC. Conor Kane is an established left back at this level, having experienced League of Ireland football and Premier and First Division level.

Darragh Markey is Drogheda’s creative fulcrum in midfield. A player who is one of the league’s most underrated, he’s a consistent performer who’s popped up with six goals and assists in 2025. The experience of Ryan Brennan and tenacity of Shane Farrell, Paul Doyle or Luke Heeney alongside him provide a well rounded midfield. With star player and Ireland U21 international Warren Davis on the wing, and Josh Thomas or Thomas Oluwa through the middle, Drogheda’s forward line isn’t bad either. Their goals scored tally of 34 is the third lowest in the division, but Kevin Doherty will be glad to hold on to Warren Davis after interest from Preston North End, Cardiff City and Reading in the summer. He did, however, go off injured on Monday night.

Ending a four game winless run by drawing with Sligo Rovers on Friday, before beating Shelbourne on Monday, United will be gunning to keep the momentum going into the most crucial part of the season. With sole focus on finishing in Europe, they’ll be right up for this match. This one might not be pretty, but the team who dig deepest will claim the points on Friday.

Round-up:

Unbeaten in four, Derry City will be desperate for a first victory in Drogheda since May 2023. Adam O’Reilly scored his first goal for the club that night, and it’s the 24 year old who is Derry’s form player with four goals in as many games heading into Friday’s fixture. Derry City have won just three of their eleven ties with Drogheda since that last win in Sullivan & Lambe Park, with Drogheda winning four.

The Candystripes needed a stoppage time equaliser from the now departed Dom Thomas to rescue a point on their last visit to Drogheda, but the third round FAI Cup defeat in August should spark that extra want for revenge in the minds of the City players. Last year’s FAI Cup final defeat hasn’t gone forgotten either. Both Derry City and Drogheda United have scored three against each other on separate occasions this year, with City running out 3-0 winners in June and United 3-1 winners back in April.

A tie which has seen something of rivalry form between Derry and Drogheda in recent times, Tiernan Lynch’s side travel to a team they’ve struggled to consistently get the better of in the past couple of seasons. Drogheda’s 2-1 win in this fixture one year ago on Saturday proved mightily costly in Derry’s title hopes last year – Tiernan Lynch will hope his side can have a similar effect on Drogheda’s European dreams this year. This is a big one.

Pól O’Hare – 24^th September 2025

Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview (September 2025)

 

Derry City FC v Shelbourne FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 31, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 19^th September 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

The European race is heating up with every passing week in the Premier Division, as Derry City host champions Shelbourne in the Brandywell on Friday night. The Candystripes leapfrogged last week’s opponents Bohemians into second place after a thrilling 4-3 victory in Dalymount. Unbeaten in three, City could extend their seven point buffer on fourth place with victory over Joey O’Brien’s side.

Derry City:

A huge match in the race for Europe, and something of a must win for both sides, Derry City’s trip to Bohemians last Friday provided proper entertainment. One of the most action packed games of the year saw ten man Derry City beat Alan Reynolds’ side 4-3 and return to second place, opening up a seven point gap to Shelbourne, St Pat’s and Drogheda United.

Undone by a very early penalty in Dalymount in June, it seemed like a case of Groundhog Day for City last Friday, who found themselves 1-0 down after just nine minutes when Douglas James-Taylor converted a penalty following a Carl Winchester foul in the box. The away team grew into the game, levelling the scores via talisman Michael Duffy on twenty minutes when he fired a low shot past Kacper Chorazka and into the corner.

Right on the stroke of half-time and Derry had found a goal to go ahead. Adam O’Reilly poked the ball through the legs of Polish shot-stopper Chorazka, who failed to claw the ball out after seeing it cross the line. A scrappy goal, but they all count.

Jordan Flores, playing at left-back, tapped in a Ross Tierney cross at the back post on the 65^th minute to level the scores. From there, all hell broke lose. An instant response from the travelling side saw Adam O’Reilly fire the ball under Chorazka after a Carl Winchester lay-off to make it 3-2 just two minutes later.

Just three minutes after O’Reilly completed his brace, the home team found themselves level again when Douglas James-Taylor bagged his second of the night. Another four minutes later, now on the 74^th, Dipo Akinyemi rose highest to nod a Michael Duffy cross past Chorazka to give the travelling Citymen a fourth goal and a precious lead. Despite the dismissal of Ronan Boyce on the 77^th minute, which forced City to sit back and absorb Bohs’ pressure, coupled with some Brian Maher wonder saves and ‘Jesus Christ’s’ from the co-commentator, Derry held on for a huge three points.

Friday night’s result was vital for Derry City in the race for Europe. Now two points ahead of Bohs and seven ahead of Shelbourne, St Pat’s and Drogheda, we now have a much healthier looking buffer. Shelbourne have two games in hand, while Pats and Drogs have one each. The outcomes of this week’s tie with Shels and next week’s away game to Drogheda will have serious consequences on the European race. Win those two and we *should* have a top three finish all but wrapped up. Shels will have other ideas, travelling to Drogheda on Monday evening after this one.

Three points aside, the positives on Friday night came in the form of; an Adam O’Reilly brace – his first double for the club, a Michael Duffy goal and assist and Dipo Akinyemi’s third goal for Derry and second against Bohemians. Versatile midfielder Cameron Dummigan made his first appearance after thirteen months out through injury, and very nearly found the net via an audacious attempt from the halfway line. His cover in midfield and right back could be vital in the next six weeks.

Michael Duffy’s goal and assist were his ninth of each category in the league this season. He’s now out on his own at the top of the Premier Division’s assist charts and up to fourth in the scoring charts. Those eighteen direct goal involvements are more than any other player in the league, three above Pádraig Amond’s fifteen and Owen Elding’s thirteen. We’re lucky to be watching a true Derry City legend at the peak of his powers. I hope Heimir Hallgrimsson’s watching.

Despite seven goals and one of the most entertaining matches of the season, referee Rob Hennessy managed to take centre stage on Friday. Of the 42 matches involving Derry City that he’s refereed, we’ve won just 30.95% them (13). In comparison, Shamrock Rovers have won 72.5% of the 51 games he’s refereed them (37). You could make the argument that this because Rovers are a better team and win more than us, but when you consider that we’re currently second and have finished second in two of the last three seasons, something doesn’t add up.

Last Friday, Hennessy dished out seven cards. None were given to Bohemians, despite them committing more fouls than Derry (15 compared to 13). That’s six yellow cards and a red card handed out to Derry City players, made worse when considering that Ronan Boyce got the ball in the tackle for which he received his marching orders. Hennessy’s eight dismissals given against Derry City are five more than Shamrock Rovers, and four more than Bohs and St. Pat’s. I haven’t even mentioned the clear handball in the box by Adam Morahan in the first half either…

Refereeing drama aside, Derry City welcome back Ben Doherty on Friday night after missing last week through suspension. The number 14 may struggle to cement that left back role though, as new signing Brandon Fleming had yet another fantastic game at wing back against Bohemians. He’s been a quality addition and is a player to really get fans of their seats. Jamie Stott had his best game in a City jersey, as did Brian Maher, despite conceding three. In his almost four seasons at the club, he was in inspired form and really kept us in it at the end of the game. With six games left, now would be the perfect time for Derry City to extend their three game unbeaten streak and get another couple of massive wins.

Shelbourne:

This time last year, Derry City and Shelbourne were battling it out at the top of the Premier Division table, both hoping for a long awaited league title. Shelbourne would come out victorious, picking up their first Premier Division crown since 2006 via a 1-0 in Derry on the final day. Fast forward a year and 2025 has been a mixed bag in terms of Shelbourne’s fortunes.

Currently sitting fourth in the table, with a game in hand on their fellow European hopefuls and two on Derry City, Shelbourne’s title defence hasn’t gone exactly to plan. Dumped out of the FAI Cup by rivals St Pat’s in the third round, it was on the European stage where Joey O’Brien’s side earned its plaudits this year.

Former Premier League and Ireland fullback Joey O’Brien, assistant to Damien Duff, took over as Shelbourne head coach on an interim basis after Duff’s departure in late June before permanently getting the job in July. With just three games under his belt as his side’s manager, Shelbourne entered European qualification in the first round of the UEFA Champions League.

Shelbourne got the better of Belfast opposition Linfield, beating them 2-1 on aggregate in an enticing all-island tie. Despite victory over the NIFL champions, Shelbourne dropped down to UEFA Europa League qualifying after losing 4-0 to Qarabag in the UCL’s second round. For reference, the Azerbaijani side have made it the full way to the Champions League proper and came back from 2-0 down away to Benfica to beat the Portuguese giants 3-2 on Tuesday.

After losing to Rijeka in the Europa League third round, Shelbourne again drew Linfield in the Conference League play-offs. An historic tie which would see either side reach European group stages for the first time, Shelbourne dominated their opponents, hammering David Healy’s side 5-1 on aggregate. History was made in Windsor Park, as Shelbourne joined Shamrock Rovers to ensure that two Irish sides had made it to the league phase of European competition in the same season for the first time ever.

Winning, losing and drawing their last three in domestic action, Shelbourne haven’t lost in the league since a 1-0 defeat at home to Derry City at the end of June. Incidentally, that was Damien Duff’s last game. With just one defeat in eight domestic games as Shelbourne manager, Joey O’Brien will be desperate for his side to translate the momentum of their Conference League qualification into their league form and kick on between now and November.

Shelbourne recruited well over the summer. Twenty year old former Cliftonville forward Sean Moore was brought in from West Ham, while the signing of midfielder Jack Henry-Francis from Arsenal seems to be a real coup. He shone on loan at Sligo Rovers in 2024 but is yet to make an appearance for Shelbourne. French defender Milan Mbeng has impressed since arriving from relegation-stricken Cork City, while  Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel has come in on loan from MLS side Minnesota United to cover for the injured Conor Kearns.

Those are four signings who add quality to O’Brien’s team. All 23 or younger, they’re wise acquisitions who could bring crucial energy to a squad that is likely to rotate in the next few months. Harry Wood, signed from Hull City last year after spending time at Shelbourne on loan in 2023, has been their standout this season though. Scoring the goal that beat Derry City and clinched the title last November, Wood scored home and away in the Conference League play-off against Linfield, as well as assisting against Rijeka. He has contributed to ten further goals in league and cup action this year too.

Striker Mipo Odubeko has come into his own in Europe this summer, scoring three and assisting a further goal in Shelbourne’s eight European qualifiers. With six goals and three assists in the league, he adds to the quality of Sean Boyd, John Martin and Sean Moore up top. Former Derry City man Dan Kelly and Scotsman Ali Coote bring width to the attack too. Coote in particular scored a wonderful goal to clinch the victory against Linfield in Windsor Park.

In the middle of the park, Kerr McInroy has made the deep midfield role his own since joining at the start of the year, while captain Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney and Evan Caffrey bring experience and drive to the midfield. Liverpool loanee James Norris has ousted Tyreke Wilson from his usual left back position, while Milan Mbeng and Sean Gannon bring versality in that they can operate at right back or centre back. Paddy Barrett, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge and Lewis Temple complete a solid defensive unit ahead of Wessel Speel in goal. While not in the champions elect this year, Shelbourne have their sights set on another crack at European qualifiers for 2026.

Round-up:

Harry Wood’s goal in the Brandywell last November clinched the title for Shelbourne and condemned Derry City to a fourth placed finish despite being part of a two horse race for most of the season. It was an unceremonious end to the campaign. Fast forward eleven months and the Candystripes seem to be hitting momentum at the right time.

On a three game unbeaten run, coming from behind to win twice and draw once in the previous three, it’s paramount that Derry City lose that habit of conceding first in matches. With Shelbourne’s two games in hand, they’ll view this one as a vital game in reeling in Derry City and Bohemians in the European places.

With Shelbourne factoring in eight more European games in the next few months, coupled with a tough away trip to Drogheda on Monday, they’ll be unlikely to take too many risks regarding injuries and may settle for a draw if the game’s going that way. In fact, prior to this season, only two of the eight league games in the 2023 and 2024 seasons between these two finished in victories – a 1-0 each for City and Shels in March 2023 and November 2024.

This year has been quite the opposite, with two Derry City wins and one Shelbourne victory in the three league games to date. There hasn’t been a draw or stalemate in this fixture since August 2024. City’s 2-0 win over Shels in the Brandywell in May was one of our most complete performances of the season, while a Michael Duffy wondergoal claimed victory in Tolka in June. Shelbourne ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home on the first game of the season, welcoming Tiernan Lynch to the League of Ireland in some fashion.

This game is the biggest of the year between these two, with both sides knowing that defeat could take a heavy toll in the European race. City and Shels are unbeaten in the last three in all competitions, so it’s anyone’s guess as to the outcome. It’s the third last home game of the season and it’s one where a noisy Brandywell will certainly be Derry City’s twelfth man.

 

Pól O’Hare – 17^th September 2025

Bohemian v Derry City: Match Preview (September 2025)

Bohemian FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 30, Dalymount Park, Friday 12^th September 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

With the international break thankfully behind us, Derry City travel to face Bohemians in Dalymount Park’s current guise for the last time before its renovation. Digging deep to come back from 2-0 to draw with St Pat’s two weeks ago, City occupy third spot in the Premier Division with Bohs a point ahead in second. As the race for Europe hots up, this is a huge tie in the run-in with seven games to go.

Derry City:

As the Oasis gig hampered City’s crowd in their cup defeat at home to Drogheda United four weeks ago, Fontaines DC and Kneecap’s concert in Belfast had a similar effect to the Brandywell attendance for the home match against St Pat’s last time out. I’m a guilty party in that myself I have to say.

Starting the brighter of the two sides, City fashioned the best of the chances in the first fifteen or so. Michael Duffy, Dipo Akinyemi and Adam O’Reilly forced Joey Anang into fairly straightforward saves in the first twenty five minutes but failed to convert any clearcut chances.

Just five minutes out from the break and the away side found the opener. Adam O’Reilly, back in the starting eleven, was caught in possession by Christ Forrester in the centre of the park. The veteran midfielder played through Spurs bound star Mason Melia, who got the better of Sam Todd and slid the ball into the bottom corner at the near post. A finish of real quality as Melia’s million Euro transfer fee seems ever more justified.

One became two for the visitors on the 63^rd minute, when Melia and Forrester once again linked up after catching O’Reilly in possession. It was the inverse of the first goal, as Melia put it on a plate for Forrester to fire over Brian Maher and into the roof of the net. A goal and an assist each for two of Stephen Kenny’s main men and it seemed that Pat’s would be on their way to three points.

With people questioning the Derry team’s bottle and commitment in the weeks leading up to the Pat’s game, Lynch’s side could have collapsed to defeat in the Brandywell. As they did in Galway a week prior though, the Candystripes fought for each other and would eventually come back to grab a point from the game.

City’s first goal was a wonderful finish by centre back Alex Bannon, who curled the ball into the top corner after Danny Mullen’s smart back-heeled layoff. It was a second in red and white for the Burton Albion loanee, and it had Derry back in the game.

Failing to settle with just the one, Bannon popped up with another vital goal from a set-piece when he nodded Michael Duffy’s corner past Joey Anang in the 85th minute to rescue a point.

With just seven games left of the campaign, Derry City’s Alex Bannon inspired comeback has dented St Pat’s’ European hopes and, crucially, kept Derry City in the top three going into the game away to Bohemians. The Candystripes have a healthy four point buffer over Shels, Pats and Drogheda United in the chasing pack as the latter lost to Shamrock Rovers last time out. Bohemians’ 0-0 draw with Sligo Rovers leaves them one point ahead of Derry, meaning an away victory in Dalymount would see City sitting in second with six to go.

Tiernan Lynch’s side’s two goals against Pat’s keeps them in second in terms of goals scored in the Premier Division with 40, behind only leaders Shamrock Rovers with 48. The two conceded, though, puts City at sixth in the table on account of goals against. That’ll be a worry for the City coaches, who will want to keep a watertight ship at the back in the remaining six weeks of the campaign. The two scored, whilst spirited and impressive, both came from set pieces late in the game, with City failing to create anything of note from open play. That makes for worrying reading when factoring that Bohemians have the second best defence in the league, conceding just 26.

Michael Duffy’s assist for the equaliser was his eighth of the season, putting him out on his own in the Premier Division’s assist chart. He’s now gone above Jack Byrne, who recently departed Shamrock Rovers for the UAE, and Sligo’s Will Fitzgerald. Talks of a new contract for City’s star has come as welcomed news. Danny Mullen’s flicked assist for Bannon’s opener was his ninth goal involvement of the season, meanwhile the aforementioned Scottish centre back’s brace meant that he has scored three times in his seven games in red and white, a much needed lifted after his recent red card in Tallaght.

Adam Frizzell made his first start for the club last time out after joining in July but was taken off at half-time. That was a tactical switch which earned the Candystripes a point, as Lynch reverted to his trusted back five with the introduction of Alex Bannon. Still looking light on the right flank, the City faithful will hope that Gavin Whyte regains form in the last six weeks of the campaign.

Sean Patton has left for Reading after a successful trial and, with Liam Boyce out for the season, Tiernan Lynch is left with only Dipo Akinyemi and Danny Mullen up front. Mullen’s a player I’d like to see a lot more of and is versatile across the front three, affecting the game off the bench against St Pat’s. Ben Doherty is City's only suspended player this week.

Off the pitch, Derry City announced a new kit marking the 40^th anniversary of their first game in the League of Ireland, but one thing that wasn’t officially announced was the departure of Head of Recruitment Michael Mackin after just three months at the club. His stint has been interesting to say the least. The Candystripes also found out that their application for a chunk of the £36.2m stadia fund was entirely unsuccessful, as was Institute's. That's a conversation for another day...

Playing three of our four European rivals in the next three games, this is the real crunch time for Derry City. A win at Bohemians would have us in good stead, and with a fighting comeback against St Pat’s last time out, there’s no reason why Tiernan Lynch’s men can’t fight to the wire and claim a European spot come November. This one’s a potentially season defining game for the Candystripes, and the first of a trio of crucial ties between now and the end of the month.

Bohemians:

Alan Reynolds’ Bohemians host Derry City for the last time in the ‘old’ Dalymount Park on Friday, with both sides fighting it out for second place in the table. Bohs have had an up and down season, losing six and winning four of their opening ten games. In fact, it wasn’t until the 22^nd game of the calendar that the Phibsborough side registered their first draw when they clinched a 95^th minute equaliser at home to Sligo Rovers.

That early season inconsistency almost cost former Derry City assistant manager Reynolds his job, with many Bohs fans calling for his head in the early months of the campaign. Sitting as low as seventh after eleven games, Bohemians hit form in the spring and sprung up the table, reaching the top three by mid-May and only dropping out of it once since. That climb was the result of picking up nine wins from the twelve games following a 1-0 defeat away to Shelbourne on the 4^th of April.

Despite winning just one of their last six games in league and cup action, Bohemians still stand in good stead to be pushing for a European spot for the remainder of the campaign. Sitting second, just one point ahead of Derry City in third but nine behind Shamrock Rovers in first, Bohemians will hope to rekindle some of their April/May form to consolidate that second placed finish. Add into that the fact that Alan Reynolds and his backroom staff have signed new contracts at the club and it becomes clear that the Bohs hierarchy trust the project.

It'll be their home games at Dalymount Park which Bohs will aim to clinch maximum points from. With four of their last seven games being played at home, and Bohs sitting second in the table for home form, they’ll fancy their chances at giving their fans something to cheer about before the stadium is closed for renovations at the end of the season. They’ll be glad that only three of their final games are away, as Bohs find themselves fourth in the away form table. In contrast, Derry City are second in terms of away form – so this one should be entertaining.Q

The standout player in the Bohemians side this year has been midfielder Dawson Devoy. The versatile 23 year old, who can operate across the midfield but tends to sit a bit deeper and dictate play is one of the league’s finest in his position. His movement and technique are akin to those of Patrick McEleney, and with five goals and four assists in the league, is tied with Dayle Rooney as his side’s most effective outlet. Rumoured to be the subject of a bid from an unnamed Bundesliga 2 side, the upcoming friendly with giants Schalke has only added fuel to that fire. Luckily for those of a Derry City leaning, Devoy will miss Friday’s fixture through suspension.

Speaking of Dayle Rooney, he’s a quality attacker who has been one of the league’s most impressive wingers for the past couple of years now. His four league goals and five assists show his value to his side, whilst his converted penalty at home to Derry City back in June won his side the game after just two minutes. He opened the scoring in this fixture in March 2024 and assisted Archie Meekison’s opener in a 1-1 draw in the Brandywell last October too.

Former City striker Colm Whelan isn’t having a bad season back in Dublin, scoring eight and assisting three in league and cup action this year. Bohemians’ signing of Douglas James-Taylor from Walsall, after impressing on loan at Drogheda United, was a real statement of intent. The English forward has scored three times in six games for his side this year, alongside his fourteen goal haul in domestic action with Drogheda United across the backend of last season and first half of this. Derry City won’t forget it, but he scored the winning goal in last year’s FAI Cup final too.

Ross Tierney and James Clarke are two midfielders having impressive seasons in Phibsborough too, contributing to sixteen goals between them this year. Tierney scored the equaliser in the Brandywell in July. Clarke is a former target of Ruaidhrí Higgins at Derry City and went through a purple patch in June and July, scoring four and assisting two in five games. Included in that was a brace against Galway United and goal and assists at home to Shamrock Rovers.

Bohemians have an experienced if not somewhat makeshift backline. With Liam Smith recently departing for St Johnstone, midfielders Jordan Flores and Niall Morahan have seen gametime at right back throughout the campaign. Central defender Cian Byrne has returned to Bohs almost as a new signing after impressing on-loan at Galway earlier this year, while Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckly bring bags of experience in the defence. Kacper Chorazka and James Talbotq aren’t bad goalkeeping options either, keeping eleven clean sheets between them.

Round-up:

Now in mid-September, with the hectic summer period behind us and only seven games remaining, every single point will mean that little bit extra for the remaining six weeks of the campaign. With second hosting third as Bohs welcome Derry on Friday night, it’ll be a game which will mean that little bit more. Both sides have won just one of their last six in all competitions and will hope to gain momentum in the final straight of the campaign.

With just a point separating the sides, and the bother at the previous encounter in the Brandywell no-doubt adding an extra edge to the game, this has the possibility to be a classic. There hasn’t been a goalless encounter between these two since June 2023. In the nine games that have followed, Derry City have four wins and Bohemians have two, with the other four being draws.

With a win apiece and a draw in the three previous games between City and Bohs this year, it’s hard to know how this will go. Both wins were narrow 1-0s too, meaning that every action will count. We can only hope that Michael Duffy has had his brace in the 2-0 FAI Cup semi-final win in Dalymount last October on repeat for the past week.

Pól O’Hare – 10^th September 2025