Derry City v Shamrock Rovers: Match Preview (May 2025)

Derry City FC v. Shamrock Rovers FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 17, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 23^rd May 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Unbeaten in four following last week’s draw away to Drogheda United, Derry City welcome table-toppers Shamrock Rovers to the Brandywell on Friday night. It’s the biggest match of Derry’s season to date, as victory would keep the pressure on Rovers at the summit. With City clicking into gear, and Rovers in free-scoring form, Friday night’s game could be decisive come November. With the atmosphere of a packed Ryan McBride Brandywell, this won’t be one to miss.

Derry City:

Heading into last Friday’s game away to Drogheda United in second place in the table, joint on points with table toppers Shamrock Rovers, a loss for Derry City would have seen them slip from the top three. Without Ronan Boyce through injury, and Carl Winchester through suspension, the Candystripes had a task on their hands to leave Louth with a positive result.

The sun was shining and a big travelling contingent had made the journey to Sullivan & Lambe Park but it was the home side who made the most headway in the first half. When the referee blew for half-time, Drogheda United were the side ahead. Right back Elicha Ahui rose to meet Owen Lambe’s corner and directed it past Brian Maher in the City goal just minutes before the half was ou - a deserved opener for the hosts, who were unfortunate not to add to it across the ninety.

Derry grew into the game in the second period, although Drogheda had the better chances throughout the half. Brian Maher’s fingertip save over the crossbar twenty minutes into the half, followed by the introduction of Paul McMullan and Dom Thomas three minutes later, saw the game turn on its head.

United had stifled most of City’s forays forward and were prepared to sit deep and defend. Tough to break down, the visitors knew they had to make the most of any chance for a goal. Pat Hoban, making his first appearance in two months, sliced a golden effort at goal inside the box on the 77^th minute and it seemed like it wasn’t to be for the Candystripes.

It was substitute Dom Thomas who came to the rescue for City. Realising that trying to break down the Drogheda defence wasn’t working, the Scotsman took one touch after receiving the ball from Hayden Cann and fired towards goal in the 90^th minute. His deflected shot from distance wrongfooted Luke Dennison and squirmed into the bottom corner, sending the away end into raptures. It was too late for a winner, but it was a hard-won point and one which could prove crucial towards the business end of the season.

The draw in Drogheda wasn’t pretty, but with just one defeat and five wins from the last seven games for Derry City, it was an important point to get. With Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and St. Patrick’s Athletic all winning across the weekend, a loss would’ve seen us slip to fourth at full-time. With Rovers hammering Pats, and Shelbourne drawing with Drogheda United on Monday night, City have a game in hand going into the crunch tie with Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Carl Winchester will be a welcomed return in the centre of midfield against Rovers, whilst it was good to see that Adam O’Reilly was fit enough to play following a hefty collision at the end of the match in Cork almost two weeks ago. Brian Maher made some fine saves, whilst Hayden Cann slotted in at right back following Ciaron Harkin’s substitution at half time. It was surprising to see Michael Duffy and Gavin Whyte taken off, seeing that they’ve been our two best attackers in 2025, but the introductions of McMullan and Thomas won the game for City – a genius move from Tiernan Lynch.

Robbie Benson is proving to be another solid pickup. Relegated with Dundalk last year, he’s fitted seamlessly into the Derry City midfield when called upon and hasn’t lost any of that fight that he showed throughout his career. It’s the experience in that older squad that’s grinding out results. Pat Hoban’s return to the pitch following two months out will be another addition to the City frontline and a solid option off the bench against Shamrock Rovers. With Ronan Boyce, Sadou Diallo, Ben Doherty and Cameron Dummigan all still out, Tiernan Lynch will need his squad sharp going into Friday’s game.

Shamrock Rovers have found form and are steamrolling all that come in their way at the moment, scoring twelve and conceding just once in their last four games. It’ll need to be Derry City’s best performance of the year to claim victory on Friday, but it’s one which would keep us firmly in the title race. Almost at the halfway point of the season in terms of matches played, the table is really taking shape.

To beat a team like Rovers, Derry will likely set up how they did against Shelbourne. Welcoming the champions to the Brandywell for the first time since lifting the cup there in November, there would have been a temptation to sit back and let them have the ball. Tiernan Lynch set his side up to do the opposite.

City knew their press triggers and had exposed Shelbourne’s weaknesses. The first goal came from a well-worked corner routine and the second by pressing the centre back and forcing him into a mistake. It’ll be these situations and chances which City will need to avail of to find goals on Friday. Against St. Pat’s four days later, our only goal came from being front-footed, forward facing and energetic to nip a misplaced pass and play the striker in-behind. This is where having the likes of O’Reilly in the team can add so much. Noticing these differences show how City have progressed in midfield and forward areas since Tiernan Lynch took over. His Larne team was a goal machine after all.

In saying that, there needs to be a precise fine line. Press too high and leave too much space in-behind and we’ll get punished. Our back four or five aren’t the quickest and teams have found joy in lobbing the ball over the defenders and freeing their quick forward to go 1v1 against the keeper. Rovers ripped City apart doing exactly this last year, when Aaron Greene got in-behind to score two identical goals in a six minute spell in Rovers’ 3-1 win in Derry last April. It’s something which Lynch and his side have worked on this year, and something which has drastically improved from the 2-1 defeat at home to Waterford back in March. I’m no tactician, but for those of you who know your stuff, you’ll enjoy the tactical battle on Friday as much as the physical.

Visiting fellow high-flyers Bohemians next week before the mid-season break, it’ll be vital for Derry City to keep up the good form going into the summer. Without European football this year, we’ll hope to use the advantage of less games in the congested summer schedule to our advantage. To do that, the Candystripes need positive results against their title rivals from now on in, starting with Friday night.

Shamrock Rovers:

Shamrock Rovers went into the final day of the 2024 season knowing that victory at home to Waterford would’ve seen them lift the Premier Division title for the fifth year in a row. After failing to hit consistent form all season, Rovers went top for the first time all campaign when they went 1-0 up just four minutes into the last match of the year. Top of the table for more than the next hour,  Rovers hearts were broken when Harry Wood scored late on to see Shelbourne beat Derry City in the Brandywell - a goal which saw the Reds pip the Tallaght side to the crown.

Rovers ended 2024 strongly and would go on to make history on the continental front. Picking up wins against Larne, TNS and Borac Banja Luka, whilst drawing with APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna, Stephen Bradley’s side progressed to the Knockout Phase of the UEFA Conference League. The first Irish side to progress through the league phase of European competition eventually bowed after losing to Molde on penalties.

It seemed as though the hangover from the second leg against Molde, which occurred just four days before the league season kicked off, had an impact on the early stages of Shamrock Rovers’ league campaign. No strangers to a slow starting season, Rovers lost to Bohemians in the Aviva Stadium on the opening day and were rooted to the bottom of the table after three games. Fast forward two months, fourteen matches and nine wins later and the Hoops are five points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

Losing just once in the last fourteen, and winning four on the bounce, it’s clear that Rovers are clicking into gear. A recent 3-0 demolition of then leaders Drogheda United showed their intent, before they hammered St. Pat’s 4-0 in Tallaght four days later. Their goals scored metric of 31 is by far the league’s highest. Conceding just 15 and boasting the best defence in the league, the south Dublin side are showing their quality as the most well rounded team in the league.

Hate them or love them, that word ‘quality’ often pops up in discussions around Shamrock Rovers. Midfield maestro, and former Ireland player Jack Byrne, has bounced back from a disappointing 2024 to score twice and assist six more already this season. He’s joint with Moses Dyer and Michael Duffy on eight goal involvements in 2025 and sits top of the Premier Division’s assist charts.

16 year old Michael Noonan became European football’s youngest ever goalscorer when he bagged against Molde, whilst fellow strikers Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney have netted five and four respectively in the league. Both 35 years of age, they’re setting the example for Noonan.

Twelve different players have found the net for Rovers in the league in 2025, three more than Derry City. While only four City players have scored more than once individually, eight players have bagged twice or more for Rovers. When you consider that defenders Lee Grace and Josh Honohan, the latter of whom was called into the Republic of Ireland senior squad for upcoming friendlies, have five goals between them, it shows how threatening Rovers came be.

Jack Byrne aside, Rovers’ midfield needs no introduction. Graham Burke has scored four and assisted six this year, propelling himself to the top of the goal involvement chart for the Premier Division. He’s one of the best players in the league yet again this season. The acquisition of Ireland U21 midfielder Matty Healy from Royal Francs Borains in Belgium is also proving a real coup. Last year’s PFAI Player of the Year, Dylan Watts, is joined by Aaron McEneff, Danny Mandriou, Gary O’Neill and Darragh Nugent in the centre of the park. With Danny Grant, Trevor Clarke and Sean Kavanagh providing width to the attack, they’re a frightening prospect going forward.

With former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty, who was sent off the last time these sides met, between the sticks with Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace and Dan Cleary in front of him, they aren’t short at the other end of the pitch either. Right back Adam Matthews started for Celtic in their famous 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012 and has played six times for Rovers this season, whist former Derry wingback Sean Robertson is a recent arrival following the termination of his contract on Foyleside. Young winger Victor Ozhianvuna is one of the hottest prospects coming out of Tallaght and is rumoured to be the subject of bids from some of Europe’s elite. The rumoured fee would eclipse Mason Melia’s move to Spurs as the League’s most expensive sale in history.

Undefeated in their last six, and in free-scoring form, Shamrock Rovers will see victory over Derry City on Friday night as a serious jump hurdled in the title race. Three points would see them go eight clear of City, a sizable gap given the midway point of the campaign. It’s up to the Candystripes to assert their dominance in front of a bumper crowd and show their own title ambitions to stop Ireland’s best team from ploughing on.

Round-up:

With both sides in good form and hoping to flex their muscles at the top of the Premier Division, it’s a top two clash of serious proportions. It’s looking likely that an attendance of more than 5,000 will be in the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Friday night, so this game has lofty ambitions to live up to.

Tiernan Lynch would’ve felt hard done by coming away from Tallaght with just one point when these two last met at the end of March. With red cards flashed to players on both sides, the game was stifled and neither Rovers or City tried to go for the jugular. As the league takes shape and the stakes get higher now though, that won’t be the case this time round.

Derry City have just one win from their last nine games against Rovers. That victory came back in March 2023, whilst Rovers have won four of the other eight. Both of the last two games between the two have been draws, but the Candystripes haven’t beaten Shamrock Rovers in league action in the Brandywell in more than three years. You may remember that win too, when Jamie McGonigle’s 95^th minute winner lifted the roof on the Lone Moor Road. Tiernan Lynch will be hoping Friday’s crowd will boy his side on to similar scenes this time round, closing the gap to top spot.

If you haven’t already got a ticket for Friday night, I’d advise you to get one. It’s the biggest game of the Tiernan Lynch era so far and will indicate where Derry should expect to be in terms of a title race. Victory would keep us right in it, but defeat could open a gap too big. A draw wouldn’t really suit anyone. With attacking football, flying tackles and a loud atmosphere on the cards, this is what Friday nights are all about.

Pól O’Hare – 21^st May 2025

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview (11th April 2025)

 

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview (11^th April 2025)

 

Derry City FC. v. Drogheda United FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 9, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 11^th April 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

After winning their second home game of the season in front of the Ryan McBride Brandywell’s new North Stand last week, Derry City now face league leaders and FAI Cup winners Drogheda United on Friday. City would close the gap to the top to one point with victory and hope to get one over the side who denied them cup glory and European football last November.

Derry City:

2025’s first clash of the cities was very much a tale of two halves. As the new North Stand saw action for the first time, it was the visitors who made the most of early opportunities and were the first to have the ball in the net. Within a quarter of an hour, Portuguese left back Benny Couto found space down the left flank after being picked out by Ruairí Keating. His left-footed ball evaded everyone in the City defence and left Brian Maher stranded before being nodded in by Preston North End loanee Kitt Nelson at the back post. It was a deserved opener for the away side, as the Brandywell was silenced after just fourteen minutes. Two excellent saves from Tein Troost denied Sean Patton within the next ten minutes and a Kevin Holt effort when flashing narrowly wide just before the end of the half. Cork City were then denied a stonewall penalty when Adam O’Reilly’s late tackle in the box had heads-in-hands in the new North Stand. The referee waived away penalty claims, letting the home side off right on the stroke of the break.

Benny Couto’s free kick on the hour mark was another close-call for Derry and needed tipped over the bar by Brian Maher. Tiernan Lynch had to do something to turn the tide of the game and, with the introductions of Gavin Whyte and Dom Thomas 62 minutes in, did just that. They gave The Candystripes an immediate edge, troubling the Cork defence. Three minutes after their introductions and the home side had found themselves level. Following some pinball in the box from a Michael Duffy corner, Liam Boyce nodded across the face of the box towards Ronan Boyce at the far post. The right-back expertly flicked it into the top corner with his left foot, sending the Brandywell into raptures. Boyce-ception for City’s equaliser as both Liam and Ronan registered their first goal involvements of the season.

Less than ten minutes later, and the man of the moment Michael Duffy had the ball in the net again to put Derry City ahead. The lively Dom Thomas picked it up just past the halfway line and drove into the Cork City half. His pass to Duffy saw City’s mercurial winger feint it onto his weaker left foot and beat Benny Couto before firing through the legs of Troost. Bedlam in the new stand and the loudest Brandywell roar of the season as Duffy found his fifth league goal of the season – sending him joint top of the goalscoring chart and equalling his league tally of last year. That’s how to celebrate a first Player of the Month nomination since 2019. The end of the game was overshadowed by injuries suffered to Ruairí Keating and Milan Mbeng – both requiring the introduction of the stretcher. Keating was an immediate pain after landing awkwardly and is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles.Mbeng was stretchered down the tunnel after the full-time whistle following a clash of heads with Liam Boyce minutes earlier. The home side, however, held on to clinch their second home win of the campaign and close the gap to the teams at the top.

Tiernan Lynch spoke of the North Stand being Derry City’s Kop End prior to the Cork City match, and it lived up to those expectations. A goal down at half-time and lucky not to have conceded a penalty, the introductions of Gavin Whyte and Dom Thomas past the hour mark turned the game on its head. Whyte’s injection of pace and creativity was key to City’s attacks in the remaining half-hour, whilst Thomas’ willingness to take on his man and stay hugging the touchline troubled Cork’s fullbacks. When Ronan Boyce levelled the game and ignited the City support, you knew there was another goal in the game. Michael Duffy’s fifth of the campaign was an excellent finish and saw City on their way to the three points, as the North Stand did its bit in sucking the ball into the net when goals were needed. With twice as many supporters in there this Friday, the City faithful will be hoping it has the desired effect yet again.

City’s defence had a few shaky moments in the first half but clung on and denied all that Cork hit it with in the second half, despite the absence of captain Mark Connolly. With Pat Hoban injured and Danny Mullen suspended, Lynch gave Sean Patton his first start up front, partnered with Liam Boyce. The youngster came close twice in the first half before being swapped out for Gavin Whyte in the second period. Whyte and Thomas may be two of the first names on the team-sheet after last week’s performance. Michael Duffy was key to City’s successes once again, whilst Adam O’Reilly was another standout in the centre of the park. He didn’t stop running all game, epitomising the box-to-box role. Towards the end of the game, the Cork-man played a couple of inch perfect balls forward, splitting the defence of the visitors.  Partnered alongside the calm head of Carl Winchester, O’Reilly has been allowed to break the lines into attack and cement himself as one of Ireland’s top midfielders.

The last half-hour of the game against Cork City was the best I’ve seen Derry City play this season. The ball was played forward, out to the wings or through Gavin Whyte in the middle and the interplay was neat. It was confident football and we looked like creating a good opportunity with every venture forward. Thomas, Whyte, Duffy and Ronan Boyce got fans off their seats in the second half and attacked Cork, even after finding the second goal. The three points put City up to 6^th, just four points off top and seven clear of bottom spot. It also means that we haven’t lost in over a month, winning two, drawing two and conceding just twice in the four games since that last defeat. It feels like this side is finally clicking, and with a big tie against FAI Cup holders and current league leaders Drogheda United on Friday, now’s the perfect time to pick up some huge results. With the attendance likely to surpass the 5000 mark on Friday, it has a real big game feel about it and could propel City to within touching distance of the summit. The feel-good Candystripes are back.

Drogheda United:

I’m experiencing the football equivalent of PTSD writing this. After winning just their second FAI Cup when they beat Derry City 2-0 in the Aviva last November, Drogheda United won the play-offs to maintain their Premier Division status. With the promise of European football in the summer, United turned towards a full-time setup; the final team in the Premier Division to do so. Earning a reputation as a well-drilled, hard-to-beat team, Kevin Doherty has done wonders in Louth. Entering their fifth consecutive season in the top flight, Drogheda have gone from relegation threatened year-on-year to winning an FAI Cup in front of 35,000 spectators and getting European qualification. If you’re a fan of Drogheda United, you’ve been living the dream the past few months.

Despite last season's success, many still pipped United to struggle in 2025. They’ve done the opposite. The Louth side find themselves top of the league going into matchday nine, winning four and drawing three of their first eight. Drogs have lost just once this year, that came at home to Shamrock Rovers in mid-March. When you compare it to this stage last season, you can see how far they’ve come. United had won just one of their opening eight fixtures, before going on to win just once more in the next thirteen in the league. It looked like they were destined for the drop, but now sitting top in April, Drogheda’s mindset and start to 2025 must be admired.

Despite the cup victory, United lost key players in the off-season. Veteran midfielder Gary Deegan retired at the end of the season after making the guts of 500 career appearances. Former Finn Harps striker Adam Foley left for Carrick Rangers before himself retiring just weeks later to become U20 manager back at Drogheda United. Defender Jack Keaney was snapped up by Cliftonville, whilst Emre Topcu, James Byrne, Aaron McNally, Manny Milongo and Killian Cailloce all departed for pastures new. Most glaringly in Drogheda’s outgoing list though was Haitian forward Frantz Pierrot. He netted fourteen last season and formed a deadly partnership with Douglas James-Taylor following the latter’s arrival from Walsall. Pierrot travelled east, signing for Bosnian side Velez Mostar and recently bagged a hat-trick against Siroki Brijeg in the Bosnian Premier League.

That exodus left Kevin Doherty with a job on his hands. The goals of Pierrot needed replaced, so Thomas Oluwa was brought in from Wexford and Josh Thomas on-loan from Swansea City. Both have netted this season already. Bridel Bosakani is another young forward with a bright future at the club. Goalkeeper Jack Brady was brought in from Galway United to challenge American Luke Dennison whilst former fan-favourite Conor Keeley returned after a year at St. Pat’s. Paul Doyle joined from rivals Dundalk whilst Californian Owen Lambe signed after spending time in the youth ranks of LA Galaxy and at Orange County SC in America. George Cooper joined on-loan from Mansfield Town, adding further depth in defence. Key to Drogheda’s 2025 recruitment is the fact that both Elicha Ahui and Douglas James-Taylor went recalled to their parent club Walsall after impressive seasons in Ireland.

Ten goals scored and four conceded in the first eight games is good going. Their five clean sheets have given them a core to build on and speak volumes about their defensive structure. Conor Kane, Andrew Quinn, Luke Heeney and Conor Keeley are all experienced in the league and have been joined by new talent from England and the USA. Speaking of the US of A, goalie Luke Dennison also earned plaudits after signing from Bohemians last summer and has been immense between the sticks. Flying wingback Elicha Ahui won Man of the Match in the FAI Cup final, but hasn’t featured this year through injury. The same can be said for striker Douglas James-Taylor, who was on fire before picking up an injury in preseason. With those two in the team later on in the season, Drogheda will concern any team in the league going forward. In all of my Drogheda United previews, I have to stick in how underrated attacking-midfielder Darragh Markey is. The 27 year old recently pipped Michael Duffy to March's Player of the Month award. Shane Farrell and Ryan Brennan have established themselves as a solid duo in the centre of the park behind Markey, whilst Warren Davis is Drogs’ top scorer this season with three. He tends to play alongside Thomas Oluwa up front.

Drogheda United’s form and quality throughout the team emphasise just how far the league has come in the past couple of years. There are no easy wins anymore and, by beating Shelbourne, Bohemians and Sligo Rovers so far, Drogheda United aren’t laying down for anybody. Expect a well-oiled team, rapid on the counter and brimming in confidence on Friday.

Round-up:

Despite 5-1 and 2-1 losses against Derry City in 2024, Drogheda United eventually got the better of Derry City as the year progressed. Their 2-1 win over Derry at the end of September really exposed City’s defensive issues and dealt a huge blow in our title hopes. After failing to secure said title and dropping to fourth, Drogheda then played us off the park in the Aviva Stadium on their way to a 2-0 win if the FAI Cup final. That result denied City European football and triggered a rebuild of playing and coaching staff. With Drogs now full-time and top of the table, they look the real deal and will be out to continue their good form over City.

The Candystripes, on the other hand, will want to enact revenge for last season's failings against Drogheda United. With a winning feeling back at the Brandywell, and the North Stand offering an extra dimension to the stadium and support, Friday’s game could be huge in defining the early stages of City’s season. A win could throw City back into the European race and earn some respect lost at the start of the season, whilst defeat would open the gap to the top three even further. There’ll be a bumper crowd at this one, City haven’t lost to United at home in two years and the sun *should* still be out. Fingers crossed…

Pól O’Hare – 8^th April 2025