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 Cork City: Match Preview (4th April 2025)

 

Derry City v Cork City: Match Preview (4th April 2025)

Derry City FC v. Cork City FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 8, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 4^th April 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

It’s a battle of the Cities for the first time in 2025 as Cork City brave the long journey north to face Derry City on Friday. Both sides will be gunning for victory to maintain space between them and the relegation zone, whilst looking to extend unbeaten records. Derry are coming off the back of a hard-fought draw away to Shamrock Rovers, whilst Cork City have lost just one game all season.

Derry City:

I have to start this preview by apologising. At the end of last week’s preview ahead of the Shamrock Rovers match, I went on record saying that “There are always goals in this tie and… I suspect Friday night will be no different”. What we got was the first 0-0 between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers in almost three years – whoops. In honesty though, with City winning just once in Tallaght in the league since 2017, a point away to Rovers isn’t a bad result at all.

The first glimmer of an opportunity for either side came seven minutes in when Michael Duffy whipped a ball towards the back post. An easy enough ball for Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal, but the flight of the ball caught the former Sligo Rovers keeper out. He spilled it and was lucky that Danny Mullen wasn’t more alert to prod home. The first of two flashpoints in the game came 23 minutes in when Paul McMullan fed an inch-perfect pass into the path of Danny Mullen. McGinty mistimed his approach to gather the ball and was stuck between a rock and a hard place – either handle the ball outside of the box or take down Danny Mullen. The keeper went for the earlier option, a choice which saw him receive a straight red card, leaving his side with ten men for the remaining seventy minutes or so.

Derry’s man advantage didn’t last for long, only seventeen minutes or so. Scottish striker Danny Mullen, booked earlier in the half, was adjudged by referee Paul McLaughlin to have clipped a Rovers midfielder and stopped a counter attack. Contact was minimal if any at all and the City forward clearly tried to back out of the challenge. McLaughlin flashed another yellow at the 30 year old before pulling the red card out of his back-pocket. A dubious decision to say the least, which saw Rovers and City level with ten men each on the field going into the second half.

Tiernan Lynch rolled the dice at half time, introducing Liam Boyce and Sean Patton in an attempt to clinch a goal in the second period. Michael Duffy’s looping free kick from range proved to be City’s best opportunity of the game and forced a good save from substitute keeper Leon Pöhls. Ronan Boyce came closest for City ten minutes later when he sliced a volley marginally wide from inside the box - the right back looked promising when adding an extra body to the City attack.

Roberto Lopes had the home side’s best opportunity of the evening on the 72^nd minute when Dan Cleary’s knock-down from a Jack Byrne corner fell kindly for the Cape Verde international at the back post. Brian Maher found himself positioned well to smother the ball despite Lopes’ proximity within the six yard box. Even though Stephen Bradley introduced Rory Gaffney and starlets Michael Noonan and Victor Ozhianvuna late on in the half, they failed to threaten Brian Maher’s goal as the sides settled to share the spoils come the final whistle on the 95^th minute.

Aside from the controversy surrounding Danny Mullen’s sending off, which may leave City light on centre forward options on Friday given the exclusion of Pat Hoban against Shamrock Rovers, more positives came out of Tallaght than negatives for Derry City. The scoreless draw meant that City have now kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since August 2024, after getting their first against Sligo Rovers in the game prior. City’s away records against both the Rovers in the past few years have been poor. The recent win in Sligo was our first there since 2021 and we’ve won once in eight years in Tallaght. Looking at it from the bigger picture then, four points and two clean sheets from those two ties are a good return. We’re still seventh but are just five points off the top of the table given the competitive nature of the early stages of the 2025 season.

On the topic of clean sheets, City’s defence was the biggest concern six weeks ago when the season began. We conceded seven in our first four games but have conceded just once in the three following. It’s clear that defensive structure is a key focus of Lynch and co’s training sessions, with three centre halves fielded in each of those last three games. It’s obvious, therefore, that the extra man in defence has been key to our newfound solidity. Hayden Cann was the standout against Shamrock Rovers on Friday. Arriving from a relegated Dundalk last term, the Englishman looked assured and played a key role in those successive clean sheets. He’s not afraid to put his body on the lin or go flying into tackles or headers. With the experience of Kevin Holt and Mark Connolly in the back-line, alongside the balance that Sam Todd provides, it seems City’s defensive woes may a thing of the past.

Adding an extra man into defence does mean taking one away from the midfield or forward line. Finding that sweet-spot will clearly be of upmost importance for Tiernan Lynch and his management staff in the coming days. Michael Duffy was once again key to everything good that City did going forward on Friday night. He’s been phenomenal for us this year and has been given real attacking freedom by the manager. The wait for a goal from open play will now go on a week further though. City haven’t scored from open play since the opening day of the season – February 14^th. With the investment in attacking areas in the off-season, it’ll be a worry for the City faithful that some of our forwards have yet to get going. Gavin Whyte has been an unused sub in the last two, whilst Pat Hoban has started just twice this year. Danny Mullen was given his first start of the season in Tallaght but will have to wait another week for his next after being sent off 40 minutes into the game against Rovers. You can tell Liam Boyce has real class on the ball and is a very technical player, but he is yet to score after his arrival from Hearts. Dom Thomas, another arrival from Scotland, has contributed to just one goal all season and was also unused against Rovers. Sean Patton, who scored five in preseason, looked lively playing alongside Boyce up front in the second half on Friday. Once those players click, and I’ve said this already this year, I can see us blow a team away and really get going. For the City faithful, we’ll be hoping that we see some goals in front of the new North Stand on Friday. With the new stand opening at 50% capacity against Cork City, there’s a bumper attendance in store at the Ryan McBride Brandywell. 

Cork City:

Two years on from their last stint in the topflight of Irish football, Cork City are back in the big-time after winning last year’s First Division by a twenty-two point margin. The second tier in 2024 was something of a walk in the park for the Rebel Army, who began the campaign with a 17 game unbeaten streak before wrapping up the title in early September. Irish champions as recently as 2017, last season marked the club’s second promotion to the Premier Division in three years. Relegated in 2020, Cork City won the First Division in 2022. The following season, however, saw the Munster side struggle back in the topflight, finishing second bottom; albeit 20 points above bottom side UCD. The play-offs brought heartache for City, who lost to rivals Waterford in extra-time, sealing their fate. With last year’s dominance bringing a confidence and swagger to Tim Clancy’s side, their return to the Premier Division has gotten off to a decent start.

After six games, Cork City have lost just one, drawing four and beating Bohemians in the highlight of their year to date. They’re unbeaten at home and have drawn with champions Shelbourne and FAI Cup victors Drogheda United. 2025’s only loss for the Rebels came against rivals Waterford; a late goal again claiming Munster glory for the Blues. With eight scored and eight conceded, Cork’s likely aim this year will be to maintain their Premier Division status - they haven’t began poorly by any means.

The coups of two former fan favourites in the summer of 2024 showed that City were serious about their ambitions. With the First Division title all but wrapped up, eleven time Ireland international Sean Maguire was signed from Carlisle United – warding off interest from Premier Division clubs. He scored 38 goals in 50 games for Cork between 2016 and 2017 before leaving for Preston North End after making himself a key cog in City’s title winning side. Ruairí Keating, nominated for the PFAI Player of the Year after bagging thirteen for Cork City in 2023, returned to the club just eight months after leaving for St. Pat’s. He has scored seven eight his return, as has Maguire – two strikers of real calibre in the Cork front-line. The latter, however has been out since early March with a hamstring injury.

City’s business wasn’t bad going into 2025 either. The most impressive signing came in the form of winger Alex Nolan from St. Pat’s. The 22 year old chose Cork over Bohemians and scored in the 2023 FAI Cup final. Former Oldham Athletic wing back Benny Couto signed from Ashton United and has become a fan favourite. He’s been joined at the club by goalkeepers Conor Brann and Tein Troost, on-loan from Swindon Town and NAC Breda respectively. Also joining the Turner’s Cross side on loan are Rio Shipston from Sheffield Wednesday, Freddie Anderson from Stoke City and Kitt Nelson from Preston North End. French defender Milan Mbeng put pen-to-paper from Zébra Élites, too.

Strength in depth seems to be the way forward for Tim Clancy. He has a big squad but managed to retain a number of his key players – despite an exodus of five to neighbours Cobh Ramblers. Included in said exodus to their Munster rivals were captain Cian Coleman and midfielders Barry Coffey and Jack Doherty, who scored sixteen between them last year. Former Derry City midfielder Evan McLaughlin signed for Cork City ahead of the 2024 campaign and was deployed at left-back, ultimately earning himself a place in the First Division Team of the Year after racking up twelve goal involvements in the league. He hasn’t featured in 2025 following a pre-season injury, however. Veteran midfielder Greg Bolger is still key to the midfield at 36 years of age, whilst 20 year old Englishman Rio Shipston has impressed by making two assists so far. Malik Dijksteel is a tricky winger and exciting to watch, whilst Cathal O’Sullivan was the star of the show for City last year. He came off injured on the opening day this year and only returned to the squad last week. The seventeen year old scored seven goals in the league last season. Left-footed and with the technique of a player a decade his senior, the winger isn’t short on confidence and has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s elite. His highlight reel already makes for some viewing.

Cork City haven’t won in the Brandywell since 2018 but will be energetic and determined given the nature of their young squad. Their quality in attacking areas and ability to grind out a result would make any team in the league wary. With three draws from their last three, Tim Clancy will be hoping that his side enact revenge on Derry City after defeat in the FAI Cup meeting between the two last year.

Round-up:

It’s a first league meeting between these two in almost eighteen months as both Derry City and Cork City look to climb the Premier Division table with three points on Friday. The visitors have drawn each of their last three games, whilst Derry are desperate for only a second home win of the season. The Candystripes dumped Cork out of the FAI Cup via a Sam Todd header on their way to the final in 2024 and will look to extend a twelve game unbeaten streak against the Rebel Army, dating back to October 2018. Cork City have scored just once against Derry in the last six meetings between the sides, but have bagged three more than their hosts this season and have lost only one game all year. With the opening of the new North Stand adding an extra factor to Friday night’s game, the home side will be gunning for three points and extension to their clean sheet record. It’s City against City for the first time in 2025…

Pól O'Hare - 31st March 2025

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (15th March 2025)

 

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (15^th March 2025) 

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 6, Sligo Showgrounds, Saturday 15^th March 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Tiernan Lynch’s start to life as a League of Ireland manager hasn’t gone quite to plan, with his Derry City side sitting bottom of the Premier Division table after five games. It’s early days though, and with a promising showing in a 1-1 draw with Galway United last week, he’ll hope that his side earn a win over bogey-side Sligo Rovers on Saturday.

Derry City:

Coming into last Friday's tie with Galway United, a side unbeaten in their first four and with the second best defence in the league last year, Derry City would have needed a much improved performance to avenge back-to-back defeats in their previous two. With key midfielder Carl Winchester suspended, Tiernan Lynch gave a debut to Hayden Cann and set out with a back five in defence. City started the brighter too, holding most of the ball in the early stages. Dom Thomas came painfully close with a snapshot which flashed just wide of the post within three minutes, before Liam Boyce nodded a cross from the Scotsman narrowly wide fifteen minutes later. Derry’s peppering of the Galway goal continued as Michael Duffy, Kevin Holt and the aforementioned Thomas each worked Brendan Clarke within the first 40 minutes.

In typical fashion, and despite dominating the first half, City found themselves a goal down going into the break. A long throw from Ed McCarthy found its way to New Zealand international Moses Dyer at the back post, who poked in to give the away side an advantage just minutes before half-time. City’s fortunes turned six minutes into the second half though. When a bouncing ball was caught on the volley by Sadou Diallo, it deflected off the upper-arm of Pat Hickey and went wide. Referee Neil Doyle duly pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card at the American. It looked dubious from the replay, you can see why the travelling support found themselves hard done by. Michael Duffy made no mistake from the spot however, as he rifled one into the roof of the net to level the scores.

Despite the finding the equaliser, Derry failed to truly threaten Brendan Clarke’s goal in the remainder of the second period. Deep into injury time at the end of the half, a misjudged bounce from Kevin Holt saw Jimmy Keohane nip in to go one on one with Brian Maher. The veteran midfielder tried to clip the ball over the Derry stopper, but was denied by a strong right hand from the 24 year old. A major heart-in-mouth moment for City, who picked up a fourth point of the season.

Friday night didn’t yield the win that the City faithful are so desperate for, but the first half in particular showed that when this team click’s the attacking football can be impressive. Dom Thomas, Liam Boyce and Michael Duffy caused The Tribesmen’s defence all sorts of issues before the visitor’s scored.  The Candystripes sit bottom of the table, but there isn’t a panic-stations factor that you might expect from a team in that position. I’m convinced that this team will click and give someone a hammering, but there are no easy games in this division anymore. With just one win, one draw and three losses from the opening five, City will hope to come out firing with a huge performance to beat John Russell’s Sligo Rovers on Saturday and pick up a first win in three weeks.

Michael Duffy’s penalty was his fourth goal of the season, but City’s wait for a goal from open play will extend past the one month mark when they kick-off in Sligo. Duffy’s header from a Dom Thomas cross on the opening day of the season is City’s only goal from open play this year; there has been a free kick and two penalties since then. With the attacking quality in this team, City will surely begin to climb the table when the likes of Liam Boyce, Pat Hoban and Danny Mullen manage to find goals from central areas.

Going into Saturday’s game, City are without the suspended Carl Winchester, who serves the final of his two game punishment. Cameron Dummigan is City’s only long-term injury concern, whilst new signings Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson made the bench last week. Paul McMullan spent the full 90 on the bench, that’s the first game of his Derry City career in which he hasn’t been involved. Hayden Cann showed that he’ll provide good cover in centre back, whilst Ben Doherty and Ronan Boyce looked promising as wingbacks should Lynch continue to employ the back-five system. Brian Maher will also be on the hunt for just his second clean sheet of the season, after conceding eight in the first five. With a two week break, then an away game with Shamrock Rovers after this one, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping that City can clinch a first competitive win in Sligo since August 2021.

Sligo Rovers:

After a 6^th placed finish in 2024, Sligo Rovers’ 2025 campaign hasn’t got off to the start they wanted. After five games, Sligo find themselves in the relegation zone. They’ve conceded twelve in those fives, but launched set out on launching comebacks against both Waterford and St. Patrick’s Athletic which resulted in tense finishes. A first victory of the season at home to Shamrock Rovers, followed by a point away to Cork City, showed that Rovers’ season may be on the turn.

That opening game against Waterford in the Showgrounds saw the home side go 2-0 down within 33 minutes, before scoring five minutes into the second half and missing a penalty which would’ve had them level on the 57^th minute.  Waterford eventually ran out 3-2 winners, but Rovers showed fight to come close to their visitors and pressed hard late on to find an equaliser. It was a similar story two weeks later in Inchicore, when they conceded twice in as many minutes, before pulling one back through an own goal to go into half-time 2-1 down. It was 3-1 on the 52^nd minute, but a Cian Kavanagh double saw Sligo level in the 78^th minute. By the 80^th though, Pat’s were ahead again and held on for a 4-3 win. A 3-0 loss away to FAI Cup winners Drogheda United means that they’ve conceded 10 in their last two against the Louth side.

John Russell, after becoming Sligo Rovers manager in July 2022, quickly proved that he could do a job on a low budget. His first experience in management, aside from a gig at Westport United, Russell has Sligo Rovers playing direct football and grinding results over the line. Their ten draws was the third lowest in the Premier Division last season, whilst they won thirteen and lost thirteen of the other 26. Russell would have been happy enough with a 6^th placed finish, despite winning just one of their last six. Their 51 goals conceded was the second worst in the division, although seven of those came in one match away to Drogheda United in September. Being tighter at the back will have been a big aim for Sligo in 2025.

The summer losses of Max Mata, to Auckland FC, and Fabrice Hartmann, whose loan from RB Leipzig expired, saw Sligo Rovers lose two players who contributed to 15 goals in the first half of the season. Midfielder Ellis Chapman stepped up, scoring nine and assisting three to become the Bit’O’Red’s talisman from the centre of the park. The Englishman swapped the west coast for North Dublin in the off-season though, signing for Shelbourne and representing a big loss for Russell’s men. Wilson Waweru, signed last season from Galway United, scored seven in the league, whilst Simon Power and Conor Malley both notched four.

Sligo Rovers had a tough preseason in terms of departures, losing some of their key players. Ed McGinty’s loan from Oxford United came to an end before he signed for Shamrock Rovers. Winger Simon Power and captain Niall Morahan left for St. Pat’s and Bohemians respectively, whilst JR Wilson and Kailin Barlow joined promotion hopefuls Athlone Town. Highly rated 16 year old Aidan Gabbidon left for pastures new too, signing for Malmo in Sweden, who will have to pay compensation for the youngster.

Losing a number of his best players, it would always be a tough window for Sligo Rovers. The marquee signing is ex-Ireland U21 midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes, who made 50 appearances for Scottish side Hibernian after signing from St Mirren in 2021. If they can keep him fit, they have a player with Scottish Premiership quality entering the prime of his career. Winger Francely Lomboto, who made more than 90 appearances for Galway United, signed to provide width, as did New Zealand international Oskar van Hattum. The 22 year old spent his entire career to date with Wellington Phoenix and featured in all of his nation’s matches at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Ronan Manning also made the switch from Galway United, joined in the midfield by Matthew Wolfe, Jad Hakiki and 18 year old Brazilian by Guilherme Rego Priosti from Esbjerg, Dundalk and Longford Town respectively.

Former Derry City striker Cian Kavanagh joined from St. Pat’s and has scored twice this season – unfortunately already missing two penalties. Defender Harvey Lintott joined on loan from Northampton Town after making 16 appearances in League One last season, whilst the shrewd acquisition of Sam Sargeant from Waterford is a good replacement for Ed McGinty between the sticks.

With a necessary rebuild in key positions, Sligo Rovers have brought in talent, but their start to the season shows that it hasn’t quite gelled just yet. Similar struggles for Derry City and Sligo Rovers in the early stages of 2025. Level on points with the Candystripes at the bottom, scoring four more but also conceding four more, this game looks like it will be entertaining though. The Bit’O’Red still look quite light in defence, although could have scraped draws against Waterford and St. Pat’s if Cian Kavanagh converted his spot-kicks. They’re always a bogey team for Derry City and are on the hunt for a second home win of the season, opening a further buffer on the Candystripes at the bottom of the table.

Round-up:

As the two-teams occupying the bottom two spots of the Premier Division table meet on St. Patrick’s weekend, fans of both Derry City and Sligo Rovers will be hoping for sunshine, blue skies and entertaining football on Saturday. Both sides desperate for a win after picking up just four points from the first five games, Sligo Rovers have the worst defensive record but are the highest scorers, while only Shamrock Rovers have scored less goals than Derry - they’ll both be looking to go all-out at each other in the Showgrounds. Derry City will be hoping that their preseason win over Sligo Rovers will spur them on to a first competitive victory there in three and a half years, while Sligo Rovers look to extend said record until the next meeting in Connaught between the two in July. We’re bottom of the league, haven’t won here since 2021 and Rovers are encouraging fans to dress as leprechauns for a world record attempt. What could possibly go wrong?

Pól O’Hare – 11^th March 2025

 

 

Match Preview: Derry City v Galway United (7th March 2025)

 

Match Preview: Derry City v Galway United (7^th March 2025)

Derry City FC v. Galway United FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 5, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 7^th March 2025, kick-off 7.45pm (LOITV)

 

After losses against both Waterford and St. Patrick’s Athletic in the past week, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping that his side bounce back to gain points at home to an unbeaten Galway United on Friday. With just one goal scored from open play this season, the Candystripes have the task of breaking down one of the League of Ireland’s most resolute defences and getting the better of the team who had the second best defence in the Premier Division last season. The fixture list isn’t getting any easier for City, who are desperate for a second win of the season.

Derry City:

It was a Friday night to forget for Derry City as they slumped to a home defeat against Waterford. As a suspended Tiernan Lynch watched from the gantry, his City side were struck with the sucker punch of two first half goals to contend with going into half-time. The first came nine minutes in, when left-back Kyle White found himself in acres of space up against an out-of-position Ciaron Harkin in the Derry box. The 20 year old latched on to Conan Noonan’s pass and dummied it past the defender before toe-poking into the bottom corner to give the away side a deserved 1-0 lead. That lead was doubled six minutes before the break. Another delivery from Conan Noonan, this time and in-swinger from a free kick, deflected and found its way to the feet of defender Kacper Radkowski. The Polish centre half took one touch before firing low and past Brian Maher at his near post – one which City’s number one won’t want to see again.

Derry had chances throughout the game on Friday night, despite a lacklustre first half and scattergun second. Liam Boyce had two opportunities in the first half, one a header comfortably gathered by Stephen McMullan and the other coming from a Dom Thomas cross. Thomas’ low, left-footed ball in was flicked by a diving Boyce and went tantalisingly over. Boyce wasn’t to know this, but that was going to trouble the keeper if left. Gavin Whtye, on his first start for the club, found the linesman flag denying him a debut goal when his left-footed volley in the box was deemed to be offside. The second half was more positive for City, who played with more energy and strove to make attacking inroads. When substitute Ben Doherty was felled by Navajo Bakboord in the box, Pat Hoban stepped up to net his 200^th career goal and pull one back for City. That should’ve been grounds for a comeback, but guilt-edged misses from Robbie Benson and Mark Connolly squandered hopes of taking any points from the game. A Conan Noonan shot cleared off the line really should’ve saw Waterford three to the good. With regards to the referee, no comment.

With St. Pat’s grabbing their first win of the season in an entertaining 4-3 win over Sligo Rovers, Derry City’s players looked to have a long weekend ahead of them before travelling to Inchicore on Monday night. The first half performance on Friday left a lot to be desired. City failed to test Stephen McMullan to any real degree, whilst Waterford’s direct passing through the centre of the park led to the first goal and exposed previously seen weaknesses in the Derry defence. Keith Long won the tactical battle, with balls over the top to 36 year old Pádraig Amond seeing him outpace both of City’s centre-halves at times in the second period. The Candystripes also struggled to break down Waterford’s low block, something which we saw last season. The dreaded sideways passing crept into City’s play as they looked for openings which rarely appeared. In more positive terms though, it was Ciaron Harkin’s first Derry City start in three years and three days following an ACL injury hell and he played with good desire despite not operating in his natural midfield role. Danny Mullen also returned to the squad following an injury in preseason whilst last season’s top goalscorer Pat Hoban notched his first of the campaign. Kevin Holt looked solid in the air on Friday and his ability on the ball, particularly being left-footed, gave balance to the defence. He looked particularly calm whilst in the middle of a back three. Ronan Boyce missed out through injury, whilst new signing Hayden Cann failed to make the bench.

After suffering injuries and suspensions to key players in their win over Sligo Rovers four days prior, St Pat’s looked a weakened side going into Monday night. Starting in a 4-4-2 formation, Chris Forrester was their only recognised central midfielder in their squad. If you thought this would have given Derry City an advantage though, you’d be wrong. In fact, if you made a list of things that could have gone badly in that match, it’d probably be quite accurate to what did actually happen.

After starting brightly, holding most of the ball and putting together some decent passing moves, Derry City were behind after a quarter of an hour. Aidan Keena broke past Mark Connolly and evaded the slipping Kevin Holt before playing in Mason Melia, who went down in the box after feeling contact from Ben Doherty. To be fair, it looked more of a penalty in real time than it did on the replay, the referee clearly thought this too as he appeared to ignore Pat’s penalty claims before pointing to the spot seconds later. Dubious call number one of the night. Keena stepped up and finished expertly to see his side take the lead. Minutes later and City had penalty shouts of their own waived away when the ball ricocheted up off the arm of John Redmond, strong protestations from the Derry players and even an ‘oooh’ from the commentators. Dubious call number two from our match referee in a moment that the LOITV editors found unnecessary to show a replay of – interesting.

The remaining half hour of the first half came and went but the match was thrown back into life two minutes into the second period. After a heavy touch by Mason Melia in the centre circle, Carl Winchester hit the 17 year old with a strong tackle, taking both ball and man. Once again, the referee put his hand to his top pocket to pull out a yellow card. After being surrounded by protesting Pat’s players, he removed his hand from his top pocket and showed Winchester a straight red card. A harsh decision, the third in the ‘dubious’ category of the night. Twenty minutes later and the game was wrapped up. Jake Mulraney found space to carry the ball from the right flank into the centre of the pitch. Just as Keena received the ball on the half-turn, he was downed by Adam O’Reilly. This time it was a fair enough penalty and was converted cooly by Aidan Keena for his fifth in four games. Some player to be fair to him.

Across the two games last weekend, Derry City failed to impress. Two losses from two and four goals conceded left a lot to be desired. The two against Waterford were defensive errors, the first saw Kyle White sneak in behind Ciaron Harkin and the second saw Brian Maher beaten at his near post. Against a weakened St. Pat’s, both goals came frustratingly from penalties. As per the X account @gametwohalves, Derry City had an expected goal tally of 3.33 on Friday night, their highest since a 4-1 win over UCD in May 2023. Whilst I’m not big into xG readings, it shows that chances were created and simply not finished. A clinical edge would’ve seen us nab three or four against Waterford. The St. Pat’s game was a different story. The referee’s performance aside, City created very little. Joseph Anang didn’t have a save to make and a speculative effort from distance from Adam O’Reilly in the second half was City’s closest chance. We’ll need a big improvement on Friday to get points out of a Galway United side who held Shelbourne to a draw on Monday night and haven’t lost this season.

Carl Winchester will be suspended for the visit of Galway United on Friday, whilst Cameron Dummigan is still an injury miss. Ronan Boyce’s absence in the last two games leaves the right back berth decidedly short – both Ciaron Harkin and Adam O’Reilly filled in there recently and it seems there’ll be some rejigging to fit a makeshift right fullback in the squad against Galway. Whether the officials are to blame or not, Derry City’s disciplinary record has been poor since coming into the new season. With just four games played, we’ve picked up fifteen yellow cards two red cards (including Tiernan Lynch) and given away three penalties. Aside from the obvious – gifting goals and leaving players walking tightropes – it’ll have opponents and referees alike hyperalert to any sniff of a foul. We saw against Bohemians how little a referee feels a manager has to do to justify sending him off.

In some more positive news, 18 year old Sean Patton was brought in to replace Pat Hoban when City needed a goal in the second half in Richmond Park, although he and his attacking teammates didn’t find much joy in behind the Pat’s defence. Danny Mullen came in for his first appearance of the season after picking up an ankle injury against Sligo Rovers in preseason. New signings Dom Thomas, Liam Boyce, Shane Ferguson, Robbie Benson and Hayden Cann all failed to feature against St. Patrick’s Athletic. They and their teammates will hope to bounce back and leave the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night with at least a point. It’s early days yet, but there aren’t any easy games in the Premier Division anymore.

Galway United:

After winning the First Division by 25 points in 2023, scoring 98 goals in the process, much was anticipated of Galway United’s return to the Premier Division after a six year hiatus in 2024. Despite losing four of their first eight games, Galway United found form and became one of the hardest teams in the division to beat. They went nine games unbeaten mid April and the end of May last year, before later losing just two of their last twelve to consolidate a fifth placed finish. Said finish in fifth meant that they ended the campaign just three points behind Derry City in fourth, and seven behind European spots. They only scored 33 goals in 36 games, averaging 0.92 per match, but conceded just 29 all season. Only Shelbourne conceded less goals than John Caulfield’s side in 2024.

Galway United fans will be hoping for much of the same in 2025. United have a real knack of grinding out results. Their defensive solidity and work ethic make them one of the league’s most well-drilled outfits. With the addition of goals this season, there’s no reason why Galway won’t be striving to finish in the European places. Despite losing eleven players, two of which are loan deals, Galway tied their most important players down before going on to make new additions. Left sided centre back Rob Slevin, a target for Derry City last year, committed for another year. As did Patrick Hickey, the American midfielder who scored a brace against St Pat’s on matchday two after bagging away to Cork City a week prior.

John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan seemed to broaden their horizons when it came to recruitment this year. Australian winger Daniel Stynes, who spent the last four years playing for Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets in the A-League, was the first addition. He was followed by eleven time New Zealand international winger Moses Dyer. He came through the ranks at Auckland City, but had spells in Norway, Canada and America before signing for Galway from Vancouver FC. Welsh goalkeeper Evan Watts was signed on-loan from Swansea City to provide cover and competition to the ever-present Brendan Clarke, whilst 18 year old striker Max Wilson joined him on loan from Preston North End. Former Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps academy prospect Sean Kerrigan signed on an intriguing deal from Michigan State University, as he gets his first taste of professional football aged 22. The loan signing of Cian Byrne from Bohemians is Galway’s only dealing with another Irish club and seems to be a shrewd acquisition.

Retaining their star performers has been Galway’s best business going into 2025. Patrick Hickey, who contributed to eight goals from midfield last year, was tied down to a new deal despite rumoured interest from Shamrock Rovers. Rob Slevin, key to the defensive line, was also kept on for another year, warding off interest from Derry City. Slevin’s average Sofascore rating in the league last year was 6.98, behind only fellow centre back Killian Brouder, goalkeeper Brendan Clarke and the aforementioned Hickey. Clarke kept 16 clean sheets last season, joint top in the division, despite having to make just 2.3 saves per game – owing to the quality of he and his defence. A solid team of solid performers quite clearly.

Full-back Jeannot Esua is staking a claim for the title of the league’s best right back at the minute, notching two assists in the first four games of the campaign. Greg Cunningham, a former Ireland international and Premier League left-back, offers a calm and experienced head on the other side of the back four. Brouder and Slevin have Colm Horgan, Cian Byrne and Garry Buckley for cover in one of the best defences in the league. Brouder volleyed into the top corner to equalise away to Drogheda United last weekend. Conor McCormack, a former Derry City captain, has been an ever-present in the Galway midfield since signing in 2021 and seems to be only getting better with age. Jimmy Keohane’s talents don’t need much explanation either, he returned to Ireland after a four-and-a-half year spell with Rochdale last summer and is another tidy, experienced head in the centre of the park. David Hurley only scored twice in the league last year, but netted 22 in the First Division a year prior. The width provided by Belfast man Bobby Burns will likely cause defences problems, whilst Stephen Walsh and Moses Dyer will be tasked with leading the attack. Walsh bagged nine last year, including a winner in the Brandywell.

Unbeaten and with six points from their first four, Galway United have started how they mean to go on. They’ve drawn with champions Shelbourne and current high-fliers Drogheda United, alongside defeating St. Pat’s. Beating Derry City both home and away in 2024, they’ll be looking for a similar outcome on Friday. Hard to beat and quick going forward, Tiernan Lynch will have his side well warned of his opposition’s strengths. There haven’t been more than two goals in this tie since September 2017 so if either side are to win the game, they’ll have to take their chances.

Round-up:

Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing duo of fixtures, Tiernan Lynch’s men will aim to beat Galway United for just the second time since 2017. This meeting last year yielded home and away victories for Galway, whilst City found a 2-0 home win in June. The other fixture resulted in a scoreless draw in Eamonn Deacy Park in early May. Galway United have only won twice at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in the last decade, once in May 2015 and the other in March 2024. City have won six at home against United since that third last league win for the Tribesmen on Foyleside back in September 2009.

With just one goal scored from open play and one win on the board in 2025, the pressure’s on Derry City to get something out of Friday’s match. With a slight habit of gifting goals to the opposition, i.e. through three penalties and a couple of mistakes, City may look to take a leaf out of John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan’s book on defensive solidity. Galway United, on the other hand, are unbeaten after four games and know how to grind out points. With one just one defeat on the road in the league since July, they’re coming to Derry with a gameplan in mind – to continue their unbeaten run against a City side who have had a stuttering start to the campaign. Ah jaysus, as they say.

Pól O’Hare – 3^rd March 2025

Double Match Preview : Derry City v Waterford & St Pat’s (28th February & 3rd March 2025)

 

Double Match Preview : Derry City v Waterford & St Pat’s (28^th February & 3^rd March 2025)

 

Derry City FC v. Waterford FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 3, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 28^th February 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 4, Richmond Park, Monday 3^rd March 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

In Tiernan Lynch’s first home game as Derry City manager, his side had the perfect response to defeat against Shelbourne by digging deep to beat Bohemians 1-0. An early Michael Duffy free-kick proved decisive for the Candystripes, whose opponents defeated Shamrock Rovers a week prior and came into the game on a high. Up next for City is 2025’s first double game-week, as they host Waterford on Friday and travel to St. Pat’s on Monday.

Derry City:

With Bohemians the likely favourites going into Friday’s encounter, given their victory over Shamrock Rovers and Derry’s defeat against Shelbourne, it was the home side who took control in the frantic opening stages. Within a minute, Adam O’Reilly had cruised past two challenge Iin the Bohs midfield before sliding the ball in-behind to Dom Thomas, who’s shot was straight at James Talbot. Almost exactly on the ten minute mark, Michael Duffy did what he does best. His free kick from distance dipped over the wall and perfectly into the top corner to give the hosts an early advantage. Following on from his free-kick in last year’s FAI Cup semi-final, Bohs fans must have nightmares when City’s number 7 stands over a dead ball.

Within two minutes of the goal, more drama had unfolded. A coming together between City’s Shane Ferguson and Bohs manager Alan Reynolds resulted in straight red cards for both managers and a yellow for Ferguson. Taking my DCFC-tinted glasses off, I still can’t see how Tiernan Lynch coming out of his technical area was sufficient grounds for dismissal. Aside from Ronan Boyce being lucky to stay on the pitch after two late tackles in quick succession, the first of which saw him booked, the first half drew to a close without either side having any clear cut opportunities. Conor Parsons came close with a header seven minutes after the restart but, given the windy conditions, City kept relative control of the play and Bohemians failed to really threaten until late on. The home side suffered a fright two minutes into the six of stoppage time when Ben Doherty’s loose touch saw Dayle Rooney pick up the ball up and give the away side a three-on-two attack. Within a few seconds, Sam Todd evaded all danger when his perfectly timed slide tackle stopped Rooney in his tracks. Ross Tierney’s follow up made Maher work but went wide of the post as City hung on the for the points. A match-winning tackle by City’s left-sided centre-half, who found himself in the Premier Division Team of the Week alongside Michael Duffy for his efforts.

Last Friday night was a professional job by the Candystripes and despite losing their manager early on, they showed energy, tenacity and passion to get the victory over the line. Sam Todd and Mark Connolly were solid at centre back, avenging the performance against Shelbourne, as they kept Lys Mousset and later Colm Whelan quiet. Ronan Boyce caused the Bohemians left side problems with his overlapping runs, despite being fortunate to stay on the pitch. Carl Winchester and Adam O’Reilly’s work-rates and energy kept City ticking in the midfield, whilst Dom Thomas and Michael Duffy both had immense performances on either flank. The fact that both wide men play as inverted wingers, preferring to cut inside on their stronger foot, gives City balance out wide and flexibility to swap wings. Liam Boyce cleaned up every heavy touch and loose pass in front of the Bohs defence. Once he adds goalscoring to his armoury for City, he’ll be formidable. It was tight between Michael Duffy, Carl Winchester and Adam O’Reilly for my man of the match.

We saw a side of Derry last Friday which we haven’t seen much of in the past couple of years. Even at 1-0 up, Brian Maher’s goal kicks were long and towards either flank. They weren’t down the centre where Bohemian’s taller centre backs could win it off Boyce and they weren’t passed short to the centre backs, avoiding the threat of inviting pressure. It’s a different approach to the one under Ruaidhrí Higgins and it was refreshing to see the side play more direct attacking football, even if it wasn't pretty at times. Even when the wind made it hard to play a long ball approach, City resisted the urge to keep it on the ground and play it safe – they weren’t happy to settle for a 1-0 right up until the very end. That’s a good thing too, I can think of games against Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne last year where we sat back on a 1-0 lead and conceded late in both to drop points against fellow title contenders.

In some good, old-fashioned transfer deadline day drama, Derry City announced the signing of Dundee United defender Kevin Holt. A left-sided centre back, he’s exactly what we need. At 32, people raised eyebrows over spending a rumoured £40k fee to land him but, judging by the reaction of Dundee’s fans, we have a player on our hands. A Scottish Championship winner last season, Holt has captained Dundee United and scored four times in 29 this season as his side currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership. Another experienced player with leadership qualities and an eye for goal from defence, this is a real statement of intent. It’s also wound up supporters of certain other clubs in the league which is good craic too.

Waterford conceded 47 goals in 36 league games last year, averaging at 1.31 per game. Given that statistic, I’d say City will try that direct approach on Friday too. It won’t work every week, but given Waterford’s big pitch, there could be space to exploit. That may differ for the St Pat’s game on Monday though. The pitch in Inchicore is tighter and, with all due respect to Waterford, the quality of Pat’s’ midfield and attack mean that you don’t want to cede them possession by giving away loose balls.

Looking back on last year’s results, you can see that Derry didn’t win ANY of their Friday-Monday game weeks. On Friday 1^st of March 2024, we beat St Pat’s 2-1 in the Brandywell before drawing 2-2 with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Monday 4^th. That can be compared then to Easter weekend, just weeks after the aforementioned two results, when we lost 1-0 at home to Galway United on Friday 29^th March and drew 0-0 away to Shelbourne on 1^st April. If I remember correctly, City were booed off the pitch in Tolka that day. Those inconsistencies will need to be ironed out this year, as there are three more Friday-Monday’s after this weekend. That’s 24 points up for grabs across those Friday-Monday game-weeks that we can’t afford to be missing out on. With a good record against Waterford, unbeaten in the last six against the Blues, and given St. Pat’s’ stuttering start to the campaign, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping that his side pick up at least four points this weekend.s

Waterford:

2024 was an up-and-down year for Waterford. After beating Munster rivals Cork City in the play-offs in 2023, Waterford won two, drew two and lost two of their first six league games. They found themselves tussling for European places when they won six out of eight games in a spell in May and June. Eventually though, the Blues won just one of their last nine league games on their way to a 7^th placed finish. Comfortably eleven points above the relegation zone, but fourteen away from European places, Waterford will be hoping to reduce that gap to the top three in 2025. A cup run wouldn’t do them any harm either – they came from behind to beat Inishowen side Cockhill Celtic in the second round before losing at home to Athlone Town in the third last year.

One thing that Waterford didn’t struggle for in 2024 was goals. Their league tally of 43 was the fourth highest in the division and incidentally three higher than that of champions Shelbourne. Veteran striker Pádraig Amond certainly had a part to play in their efficiency going forward. He racked up 14 goals and two assists, making him the joint top scorer in the Premier Division with Pat Hoban. Those 16 involvements translated to 37.2% of Waterford’s league goals, highlighting the 36 year old’s importance Waterford side. Maleace Asamoah, who left halfway through the season, was the blue’s next top scorer in 2024, netting six. Ben McCormack, Grant Horton, Darragh Leahy and Conor Parsons each contributed to three league assists throughout the year.

Waterford have been active to say the least in the transfer window, losing eighteen players and bringing in eleven. Most notably within the departures are Barry Baggley, Sam Sargeant and Conor Parsons. Holding midfielder Baggley returned to Fleetwood Town following the expiration of his loan before joining St. Pat’s, whilst goalkeeper Sargeant departed for Sligo Rovers after making 30 appearances last season. Conor Parsons, who impressed on the wing, left for Dagenham & Redbridge before returning to Ireland to sign for Bohemians just a month or two later. Keith Long had something of a rebuild on his hands.

The Blues made some intriguing signings over the winter. Former Arsenal academy prospect James Olayinka joined from Cheltenham Town, whilst young striker Sam Glenfield made his loan from Portadown permanent. Matty Smith, fresh off the back of a title win with Shelbourne, joined former Dundalk captain Andy Boyle and Cork City goalkeeper Bradley Wade in making switches to Waterford from fellow LOI outfits. Former St Pat’s striker Tommy Lonergan and goalkeeper Stephen McMullan signed on loan from Fleetwood Town, whilst promising young midfielder Conan Noonan signed on loan from Shamrock Rovers. The more intriguing signings come in the form of Maarten Pouwels, a 6’6” Dutch striker, English midfielder Trae Coyle, a former Arsenal player who joined from Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport and Suriname international Navajo Bakboord. Bakboord, who played five times for his national side, seems to be a real coup in particular. He made 22 appearances in the Dutch Eredivise with Heracles Almelo in 2023/24, after joining from Ajax Jong in 2019. Keith Long’s tactic of going for strength in depth, having a larger pool of players to choose from, may come good and help iron out the inconsistencies of 2024.

Waterford’s new look side went 2-0 up away to Sligo Rovers within 33 minutes of their opening game, going on to win 3-2 despite late pressure from the Bit’O’Red. As Derry City fans know all too well, Sligo’s a tough place to go to. Those three points and three goals, which came from Noonan, Lonergan and Rowan McDonald, could prove to be crucial later in the season. Twenty year old Northern Ireland U21 keeper Stephen McMullan impressed, making nine saves and denying Cian Kavanagh from the spot. Rowan McDonald, the former Man City man who had a trial with Derry back in 2023, scored and made an assist from centre midfield.

The Blues lost at home to Shelbourne last week, as Ryan Burke saw red for a challenge on Evan Caffrey, but Keith Long set out in his first two games of 2025 in a 3-4-1-2 with three centre backs and two wing backs on the pitch. Those extra wingbacks tucking into the midfield gave his side control against Sligo, with Noonan and McDonald both scoring from the centre of the park. The extra width provided in this formation can overload the flanks, so Ronan Boyce and Shane Ferguson will need to be on top form to repel this. Despite defeat against Shelbourne, Waterford look like they could upset the European hopefuls this season.

St. Patrick’s Athletic:

2024 was very a much a season of two halves for St Pat’s. They began by heavily investing in their squad, although early campaign excitement was curtailed by suffering defeats in four of their first six games and the in President’s Cup. Two of those defeats came against Dublin rivals Shelbourne and Bohemians, whilst they shipped three away to Waterford and conceded in the 92^nd minute to lose in the Brandywell. By mid May, after picking up just five wins from their first sixteen games, Jon Daly was sacked and replaced by Stephen Kenny. The former Ireland manager got off to a rocky start, losing to Derry City in his first game and winning just one of his first six in league action. When his tactics and new signings clicked however, the Inchicore side were a different animal. They went from lower mid-table mediocrity to finishing in third by winning all nine of their last league games, giving Shelbourne a scare in their title hopes and ending Derry City’s in the process. 2024 also included a run to the UEFA Conference League play-offs, when they were beaten by Istanbul Basaksehir.

Coming into 2025 after getting their transfer business done early in the window, and facing Vancouver Whitecaps and Molde in preseason, many have The Saints as title favourites. If I’m being honest, I would probably have put myself in that bracket too. They beat Molde, who defeated Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League knockouts, and drew with a Vancouver Whitecaps who fielded international players. It was clear that Stephen Kenny had his targets identified early in the window, too. They lost a few squad players, namely Alex Nolan to Cork City, Cian Kavanagh to Sligo Rovers, Conor Keeley to Drogheda United and Aaron Bolger to Ebbsfleet Town on loan. 16 year old striker Michael Noonan also swapped Inchicore for Tallaght to sign for Shamrock Rovers and became European football’s youngest ever goal-scorer when netting against Molde recently.

St. Pat’s won’t worry too much about Noonan’s departure though, as they have their own wonderkid. 17 year old Mason Melia became the League of Ireland’s first €1m+ departure in January when he sealed a move to Tottenham Hotspur. A genuine generational talent, Melia led the line for Pat’s in Europe aged 16 and made his debut at 15. The fee will begin at €1.9m and potentially rise to €4m. That’s mental money and great business for Pat’s to be fair. Even better, he won’t join Spurs until January 2026, so they have him (and will likely be under strict instruction to wrap him in bubble wrap) for the upcoming season. Wise business by Pat’s and a player to really look out for this year.

In terms of arrivals, Pat’s have brought in quality and experience. Winger Simon Power, who spent last year at Sligo Rovers, came in to provide depth in wide areas. NI under 21 international Barry Baggley, who impressed at Waterford on-loan from Fleetwood Town was arrival number two. Former Manchester City and Barnsley midfielder Romal Palmer, who joined on-loan from Turkish side Göztepe last summer, made his stay permanent. Palmer’s a real coup as he netted some important goals and brought some star-quality to the midfield last yeae. Centre back Seán Hoare, who has won six Premier Divisions with Pat’s, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers was brought in to help add to his tally. At 30, he’s a wise defensive addition. St Pat’s wrapped up their business by recruiting in the centre forward position, bringing in Conor Carty, who previously spent time on loan at Pat’s, from Bolton Wanderers. He’ll provide cover to Aidan Keena and Mason Melia.

Pat’s have a serious squad; there’s no denying it. Despite picking up just one point from their first two games, they’re still one of the few favourites for the title. Brandon Kavanagh, who was brought in from Derry City a year ago before scoring the goal which denied City the title, finished 2024 as the Premier Division’s top assister. He assisted twelve and scored six more last year. Winger Jake Mulraney, who is a threat from free-kicks, bagged seven, whilst Aidan Keena and Mason Melia both netted six in the league. Chris Forrester is always quality in the midfield, whilst Barry Baggley is an astute signing in holding midfield. Zach Elbouzedi has impressed since signing from AIK Stockholm last year, as has Joseph Anang in goal after arriving from West Ham United. Al-Amin Kazeem, Anto Breslin and Axel Sjoberg provide width to a solid defence of Joe Redmond and Tom Grivosti, whilst Seán Hoare and Luke Turner provide cover. Aidan Keena’s goal last week was taken brilliantly as he swivelled before firing into the top corner on the volley.

Kian Leavy, with an ankle issue, and Seán Hoare both missed last week’s defeat to Galway United. Meanwhile, Jamie Lennon picked up an injury prior to the Galway game and will miss the clash with Derry on Monday. Hosting Sligo Rovers on Friday, who sit bottom of the league with two defeats, Kenny’s men will settle for nothing less than a win. That victory could be the one to ignite their season and bring confidence into their game against Derry on Monday. This could be a good one.

Round-up:

Derry City will be hoping for wins against both Waterford and St. Pat’s across the weekend. We haven’t lost to Waterford since April 2021, winning five of the six since. Additionally, City kept clean sheets in all four clashes with The Blues last season, scoring nine in the process. The two games in the Ryan McBride Brandywell yielded 3-0 wins for City – Tiernan Lynch will be hoping for a similar outcome this time round.

Last time out against St. Pat’s, a 1-0 defeat in Inchicore denied City the chance of winning the league title in the Brandywell on the final day. To add insult to injury for the City faithful, Pat’s leapfrogged Derry into 3^rd place – denying the Candystripes European football for 2025. Lynch’s men will be out for revenge. Derry won four of the five meetings with Pat’s last year, including a 3-0 win in the FAI Cup. A 1-0 win in Inchicore back in May came through a late Paul McMullan goal in Stephen Kenny’s first game, whilst City will be hoping to replicate a 4-0 win in Richmond Park in April 2022 and avoid repeat of a 4-1 loss there in June 2023. With a win on the board for Derry City in 2025, the City faithful will hope for more direct, attacking football this weekend. Hard to believe we’re nearly in March right enough, it’s good to be back.

Pól O’Hare – 25^TH February 2025

Derry City v Bohemians: Match Preview (21st February 2025)

 

Derry City v Bohemians: Match Preview (21^st February 2025)

 

Derry City FC v. Bohemian FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 2, Friday 21^st February 2025, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm kick-off

 

It was a first game in League of Ireland management to forget for new Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch, whose side slipped to a 3-1 defeat away to champions Shelbourne. After going behind, drawing level and going behind again all within the first fifteen minutes, Shelbourne’s third goal on the stroke of a 50 minute long half-time sealed the win for Damien Duff’s side. For City, all focus now turns to their game with in-form Bohemians next Friday as they aim to make the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium a fortress in 2025.

Derry City:

It seemed like all that could have gone wrong for Derry City last Friday did. Within eleven minutes, the home side had broken the deadlock and raced to an early lead. A looped ball from Harry Wood was blocked by the leg of Sam Todd and fell into the path of Seán Boyd. Shels’ top scorer last season caught everyone in the City backline out by curling it neatly past a stranded Brian Maher with a first-time effort. Despite Shelbourne’s quick start, the scores were levelled three minutes later. An inch-perfect cross from Dom Thomas towards the back post was cooly nodded into Conor Kearns’ net by Michael Duffy. City’s two wingers linking up for the first time to put the Candystripes level.

The scoreline didn’t read 1-1 for long though, 1 minute and 14 seconds to be precise. Conor Kearns lumped a dangerous ball forward towards the City box, and it seemed like time stood still as the ball dropped into the path of Evan Caffrey. The midfielder duly volleyed into the bottom corner from outside the box to put his side back into the lead, before celebrating with that weird Donald Trump dance. Two became three for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, when referee Rob Harvey pointed to the spot for a supposed foul on Seán Boyd in the box. Boyd stepped up and despite slipping in the run up and the ball going through the fingers of Brian Maher, saw his penalty nestle in the corner.

Half-time came and went with a 50 minute delay due to a floodlight failure. Whether that’s an acceptable delay or not for a lighting issue, I don’t know. I seem to remember a game being abandoned in Maginn Park after fifteen minutes or so for a floodlight issue but I’ll say nothing. I was hoping the game would’ve been called off then and there, with the score restarting at 0-0 at another point in the future, but it wasn’t to be. If it were the other way around, I’d have been fuming had the game been called off with my team 3-1 up. City failed to threaten in the second half and, had Mipo Odubeko showed more composure, Shels could’ve had five by the end of the game. It was after half ten at night when the final whistle went to end an awful first away day for City’s travelling support. Onwards and upwards.

Last Friday night highlighted Derry’s defensive issues. Despite bringing in marquee signings in midfield and forward areas, City had failed to recruit in the centre back position. Andre Wisdom, Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll all left in the off-season, whilst Conor Barr and Duncan Idehen moved to Ballymena United on loan. That left only Sam Todd, who impressed on-loan at Larne in 2024, and Mark Connolly as the club’s only senior centre backs. The lack of pace in the backline was really brought to the fore, particularly in the second half, as a combination of Mipo Odubeko’s pace and Harry Wood’s passing found a quick route past centre’s centre halves. Hayden Cann was announced just before kick-off on Friday night, after a few weeks on trial. After spending the first half of last season at Drogheda United, then getting relegated with Dundalk, he’ll likely provide cover and not oust Mark Connolly out of a starting position. In truth, the club haven’t replaced Cameron McJannet since his departure last June. At the time of writing, there has been no news regarding new defensive additions. Ideally we’d bring in a quick, left-sided centre halve to challenge Sam Todd for a starting spot. A back-up right back wouldn’t go amiss either.

Dom Thomas showed his quality with a beautiful ball in for City’s goal, whilst Michael Duffy found himself unmarked to finish. Hoban’s hold up play before that goal was impressive too, but he and Liam Boyce struggled to impact the game. The bobbly Tolka Park pitch wasn’t helpful in City’s efforts to play slick, passing football but, as Tiernan Lynch said, both teams had to play on it. It’s one to get out of the system and move on to Bohemians at home on Friday, with that buzz of a first home game of the season.

Despite the defeat, Derry City kept more than 60% of the ball against Shelbourne last week. Of course, this didn’t translate to goal but forced Conor Kearns into four saves from ten efforts. On the bigger pitch in the Brandywell, and with no bobbles like the Tolka surface, City will hope to turn some of that possession into the more attractive football that we saw at times in preseason. It’ll be important to get our ball carriers in possession to drive at the Bohemians defence if we’re to hurt them.

There doesn’t seem to be many new injury concerns for City going into Friday’s game. Carl Winchester came off after suffering a dead leg, but aside from the longer term injuries to Cameron Dummigan and Danny Mullen, Derry’s squad will be strong and gunning for a win. Michael Duffy has a tendency to score a wondergoal or two against Bohs and, as the only Derry man with a goal this season, will hope to be the driving force in attack - he and Dom Thomas will aim to have City’s wings firing this year. They’re coming up against a Bohemians team who have made some statement signings and are coming off the back of a huge win against Shamrock Rovers.

Bohemians:

After winning just one of their last twelve home games in 2024, the campaign petered mostly into nothingness for Bohemians. They finished 8^th, just one spot but eight points clear of the relegation zone. Throughout the season, they were never really threatened by the drop, owing mostly to Dundalk’s poor form and Drogheda’s inconsistency. In saying that, Bohs failed to mount a sustainable charge for European football, finishing 17 points behind St. Pat’s in third. They won just four home league games last term, compared to six victories on the road, making their ten wins from 36 games the lowest outside of the relegation zone. Alan Reynolds replaced Declan Devine in March, beating Derry City in his first game in charge, but underwhelming and slightly random signings from across Europe gave way to a lack of quality in the Bohs side when it really mattered.

With his first pre-season at Bohemians under his belt, Reynolds has begun to form a side to his own liking. Their transfer business was impressive to say the least. With fourteen players leaving the club, namely winger Danny Grant switching to rivals Shamrock Rovers despite having a tattoo of Dalymount, the Bohs hierarchy set off on their rebuild soon after the season finished. First announced was 24 year old forward Colm Whelan, who had left Derry City after a two year spell at the Brandywell which was scuppered by recurring ACL injuries. With Whelan returning to full fitness towards the back-end of last season, Bohs have found themselves a hungry forward who bagged 44 goals in 66 games with UCD prior to his move to Derry in 2022.

The signings of Niall Morahan and John Mountney, from Sligo Rovers and Dundalk respectively, showed that Reynolds was looking for proven players within the league to build his side. Morahan is a tidy holding midfielder, who captained Sligo in 2024 and played 190 games for the Bit’O’Red, before penning a long-term deal at Dalymount. John Mountney is a decorated LOI veteran, who won five league titles and three FAI Cups with Dundalk, alongside a fourth FAI Cup with St Pat’s in 2021. At 31, he’s an experienced right-back with a winning mentality and will just as big for Bohemians inside the dressing room as he will on the pitch. The full back area was further strengthened by the loan signing of Kian Best from Preston North End. At 19, he has made 17 appearances for Preston and spent time in the England youth setups – a promising signing for Reynolds’ side.

Two more signings from England followed Best to Dalymount – Connor Parsons from Dagenham & Redbridge and Alex Lacey from Hartlepool United. Parsons spent the last few years at Waterford, impressing on the left-flank, with the highlight of his time coming via a curling effort into the top corner in the 2023 play-offs. He played twice for Dagenham before Bohs brought him back to Ireland for an undisclosed fee. Alex Lacey is a 31 year old centre back with an experienced career in England, seeing him line out for the likes of Luton Town, Gillingham, Yeovil Town and Notts County. He hasn’t played since June of last year but brings an experienced head to the back-line.

The crown jewel of Bohemians’ transfer business in the off-season was undoubtedly Lys Mousset. I don’t think I’ve seen so much hype around a trialist in this league in my life. Starting out at Le Havre in France, he cost Bournemouth £5.4m in 2016. Three years later, Sheffield United made him their record signing when they dropped £10m on the then 23 year old. He finished the 2019/20 season as their joint top scorer. Fast forward six years, and failed moves to Salernitana, Bochum and Nimes, Mousset finds himself in Phibsborough. It’s not often a player with £15m in transfer fees rocks up in the League of Ireland. He hasn’t played consistently in more than a year, so it’s hard to know how he’ll get on, but one thing’s for sure, ‘Psycho Killer Lys Mousset’ is up there with the best chants in the league.

Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley are two experienced players who came back into the Bohemians fold last Sunday. Cornwall rejoined Bohemians after two years at Northern Colorado Hailstorm prior to the 2024 season, but suffered an ACL injury in preseason which ruled him out of the entrie season. In similar bad luck, club captain Keith Buckley suffered an ACL and MCL tear against St. Pat’s in October 2023. That injury cut short his 2023 campaign and ended his 2024 season before it even began. They’re two players who are highly thought of by the Bohs faithful and will be like two new signings when fully fit. Cornwall in particular was a rock at the back against Shamrock Rovers last week. With strength in depth in their team, Bohemians are a side with a good mix of youth and experience, who have rotational options off the bench if the going gets tough.

Bohemians had an impressive preseason. Of five friendlies and two Leinster Senior Cup ties, Bohs lost just once and scored twenty five goals – not bad at all. It seemed those run outs have done them well too, as they beat Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday in front of a record crowd of more than 33,000. It was a great occasion for the league and showed the demand that’s there for Irish football at the minute. Rovers, off the back of a surprise 1-0 win away against Molde in the UEFA Conference League knockouts, struggled to fashion many chances. Bohs, as the home side, will now only play in Dalymount once in their next five league games but made the bumper crowd count in the Aviva. Their goal was one of genuine quality, Mousset dropped deep to flick the ball forward for Conor Parsons who, after cutting inside and leaving Roberto Lopes on the ground, saw his effort hit the post. It sat nicely for Ross Tierney in the box, who fired home to open the scoring. Bohs dug deep to see out the victory, being prepared to do the dirty work and defend the edge of their box to repel any Rovers advances. There was an evident yet rare lack of quality in the Rovers frontline as a well-drilled Bohs defence earned their salt. It was a perfect start to the seasons for Reynolds’ men, who will be confident travelling to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday.

Round-up:

Derry City’s and Bohemian’s first league games couldn’t have gone much differently. The two big ties of the round, City were swept aside by the champions who exploited weaknesses in the Candystripes’ back-line to score three and put the game to bed in the first half. Bohemians dug deep in one of the most publicised League of Ireland games ever, scoring early and holding on to clinch victory against their arch-rivals. They’ll be high on confidence and always bring a strong travelling support to the Brandywell. City on the other hand want to make the Brandywell a tough place to come to in 2025 and a win in the first home game is the right way to start that off. The bigger surface will suit Derry more than the pitch in Tolka Park did last week, as Tiernan Lynch will wants his wide men on the ball. I’m expecting an entertaining, end-to-end game on Friday. Bohs have won just twice in their last ten meetings in all competitions with City but will be out for revenge after Derry’s 2-0 win in Dalymount last October dumped them out of the FAI Cup at the semi-final stage. Only one of the last nineteen between these two has been scoreless – that came in the Brandywell in June 2023. Two months prior to that was Bohemian’s most recent win on Foyleside. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game sells out and it’s the first of three home league games in the Brandywell in the next three weeks. As Pep Guardiola once said, ‘we will be there’.

Pól O'Hare - 19th February 2025

Shelbourne v Derry City: Match Preview (14th February 2025)

 

Shelbourne v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Shelbourne FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 1, Tolka Park, Friday 14^th February 2025 @ 7.45pm

 

It’s been a long few months of a winter without the Candystripes but proper football is back and there’s a new man at the helm in the Brandywell. Tiernan Lynch, the man who took Larne from the NIFL Championship to back-to-back Irish League champions and UEFA Conference League group stages, was announced as City’s new manager back in November. In his few months here already, Lynch has made his mark on the running of the club both on and off the pitch. He’s brought in four former Northern Ireland internationals, a three-time Premier Division winner and secured the use of Doire GAA’s Owenbeg Centre of Excellence as a temporary home from home for the club. His new look Derry City side has been thrown in at the deep end though- their first game of the season is a Valentine’s Day trip to Tolka Park, where they have a date with champions Shelbourne.

Derry City:

The end of last season was a struggle. Going from having multiple opportunities to go top of the table before then finishing fourth and losing the cup final, the last few months of the 2024 campaign were an emotional rollercoaster for the City faithful. We could have gone clear at the top when we went into a Friday-Monday double header at home to Bohemians and Sligo Rovers in October, but missed point blank chances in both games and came away with two draws. Those four dropped points saw Ruaidhrí Higgins’ grasp on the title slip drastically. An away win away to Dundalk kept City dreams alive going into the penultimate gameweek and relegated Dundalk, but a 1-0 loss to St. Pat’s in Inchicore meant that Derry could mathematically no longer be champions. To add insult to injury, the winner was scored by a man who City had sold to Pat’s less than a year prior – Brandon Kavanagh. Derry City v Shelbourne in the Brandywell on November 1^st was billed all year as the title decider, as City hoped to grab their first title since 1997 and Shels their first since 2006. To be fair, it was a title decider, but not for the home side. Harry Wood’s 85^th minute winner against a dejected City side in a flat Brandywell saw the visitors clinch the title from Shamrock Rovers and knocked Derry out of the European spots.

Nine days later and City travelled to the Aviva for the second time in three seasons, in an FAI Cup final against a Drogheda United side who still had a relegation play-off to get the better of, it seemed nearly impossible for City to lose. They did. And it couldn’t have gone much worse either.  When captain Patrick McEleney went off injured in the first half, in his last appearance for the club, you knew it wasn’t going to be our day. Goals from Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor handed Drogheda their second ever FAI Cup triumph as the Derry end of the Aviva cleared out with twenty minutes to go. It was a sour atmosphere after the second goal went in. City failed to threaten for the remainder of the game, before Brian Maher left the pitch in tears after full time – he looked certain to leave the club for Shamrock Rovers. After a cup final triumph, a European run in 2023 and back-to-back second place finishes, the Ruaidhrí Higgins era on Foyleside came to an end. It was time for a rebuild at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Enter stage left, Tiernan and Seamus Lynch. The two brothers who had won eight trophies at Larne between 2017 and 2024, alongside qualifying for the UEFA Conference League league phase, arrived to take the reins at Derry City on a three year deal. Aside from playing exciting football and dominating domestically for a few years, they turned Larne into one of the most professional clubs on the island. With a full on academy set-up, scholarship program and state-of-the-art training facilities, the Larne model has given a glimpse at what can be done at Derry City. With the club looking at taking over Templemore Complex and building a hub for the club in the next couple of years, alongside the fast-approaching completion of the new North Stand, it’s an exciting time to be a Derry City supporter again.

That excitement isn’t constrained to just the background workings of the club, but Lynch’s business in the transfer window has raised a few eyebrows. With no European football this year, I expected a fairly modest rebuild of young players and a few experienced LOI veterans to ease the club into a new era without the breaking the bank. I was wrong. Tiernan Lynch has been backed by the club to make his mark on the squad. I said back in October that getting Brian Maher and Adam O’Reilly tied down to new deals would be more important than any other signing and, coming off the back of the cup final, I genuinely thought both of them would be away. Low and behold, both players were signed to new two-year deals by mid-December. They were joined by 57 time Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson, who was most recently at Rotherham United in the Championship. A former Maiden City player in his youth, the Eglinton native made 23 senior appearances for Newcastle United after joining their academy in 2007. Loans to Birmingham City, Rangers and Millwall saw the versatile left-sided full-back’s stock rise. Millwall signed him permanently for around £175,000 in 2016, where he made 155 appearances in five years. At 33, he’s an experienced addition to the squad with his versatility making him a near-perfect replacement for the departed Ciarán Coll.

Following on from Ferguson where two more Northern Ireland internationals, both announced one Saturday afternoon while I was scoffing a ciabatta from Paul’s Butchers – what a day. They don’t need much of an introduction, Liam Boyce is a 28 time NI international forward with a deadly eye for goal and comfortable dropping into midfield to make something happen. He has just shy of 200 goals in 470 or so senior appearances – not a bad return at all. 23 goals of those came in 2016/17 whilst at Ross County, seeing Boyce win the Scottish Premiership golden boot ahead of Celtic’s Moussa Dembelé and Scott Sinclar. He most recently spent five years at Hearts of Midlothian, where he won the Player of the Year award in 2020/21.

Boyce’s signing was quickly followed by that of Gavin Whyte, ending a transfer saga that also involved Shamrock Rovers, Linfield and Coleraine. Leaving Crusaders with three league titles and 140 appearances under his belt in 2018, Whyte signed for Oxford United for around £100,000. After a season in League One, he signed for Cardiff City for around £2m before going on loan to Hull City and back to Oxford. Most recently with Portsmouth, Whyte opted to return home last year before signing for the Candystripes. A winger of international pedigree, 30 caps to be precise, Whyte adds quality to City’s already strong flanks.

Another duo of signings came days later for Derry City, in the form of Robbie Benson and Carl Winchester. Benson is a league of Ireland stalwart, racking more than 450 appearances and three
Premier Division titles. A proven winner, the midfielder joined from relegated Dundalk in January and offers Tiernan Lynch a bit of League of Ireland winning nouse in the centre park of the park. Another experienced midfield addition is Carl Winchester, who was capped once by NI back in 2011. He recently surpassed the 500 appearance mark in senior football whilst at Shrewsbury Town and has experience playing across the EFL. A midfielder by trade, he can also slot in at right back and looked very tidy sitting in front of the defence against Institute in preseason. Young goalkeeper Arlo Doherty made his stay at the club official after signing an 18 month contract following the expiration of his contract with Leicester City. The former Ireland youth international has been training with the club since last summer and will serve as back-up to Brian Maher.

Dom Thomas is the signing I’m most excited about though. A former Celtic academy prospect, Thomas broke through at Motherwell in 2015 and has played his entire career until now in Scotland. Most recently captain at Queens Park in the Scottish Championship, the forward, who turns 29 on Friday, has a wand of a left foot and is comfortable playing off either wing. Queens Park fans think very highly of him judging by their reaction to his departure – he’s surely one to get you off your feet.

Twelve players left Derry City between the end of the season and now, eight of them on permanent transfers. In November, it seemed like we were on the verge of a crisis. Captain Patrick McEleney had left for Ballymena United, although returned to City in a coaching capacity recently. He was followed to the Irish League by his brother, Shane, and Ciarán Coll, who both joined Declan Devine’s Glentoran. The latter was City’s second longest serving player having joined in 2019. Will Patching joined League Two’s bottom side Carlisle United on a two-and-a-half year deal. Carlisle brought in twelve new players in January, before sacking their manager to bring in Mark Hughes on deadline day – they’re currently six points from safety and relegation to the National League looks ever-more likely despite splashing the cash.

Colm Whelan also joined Bohemians to lead their line – reuniting with Alan Reynolds in a real coup for the Phibsborough side. He does, however, now have competition up front in the form of former Sheffield United and Bournemouth striker Lys Mousset, who cost £10m six years ago. Dan Kelly returned to Dublin to sign for Shelbourne, whilst Tadhg Ryan made the move to Glenavon and Callum McCay joined Institute on loan after moving to Cliftonville. Duncan Idehen and Conor Barr joined Ballymena United on loan, whilst Aaron Heaney and Liam Mullan made loan switches to Glenavon and Harland & Wolff Welders respectively.

In terms of expectations for 2025, it’s hard to judge how Derry City’s campaign will pan out. There’s been heavy investment in the squad, particularly in forward areas. With the age profile of signings, the youngest being Thomas who turns 29 this week, it seems like Lynch’s task this season to go all out for European football. His Larne team were relentless in attack. Playing a 3-5-2, they were ruthless going forward. This will suit City’s quality in forward areas and bring something different to the possession based style played under Ruaidhrí Higgins. My only concern is in defence. With Duncan Idehen and Conor Barr going on loan to Ballymena United, Mark Connolly and Sam Todd (who impressed on loan under Lynch at Larne) are the club’s only senior centre backs. Whilst Ferguson could play on the left side of a three, I feel that we could do with at least another centre back in the squad.

It won’t be a quick fix for City this year and with Shelbourne, St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers all looking to mount title charges, a top three finish would mark a good return for Lynch in his first season. With the new North Stand due to open in the coming weeks, and the extra 2900 capacity that it will provide, the Brandywell now has a stand behind the net to suck a goal into. Shelbourne away is likely the toughest venue to go too for a season opener, especially seeing that they’re now champions, but the Derry management team will have their players fired up to show what they can offer. The League of Ireland madness is back.

Shelbourne:

For the first time this decade, we have a Premier Division winner who isn’t called Shamrock Rovers. They raced to an early lead at the start of the 2024 campaign and stayed there pretty much ever since. Losing just three league games between the season beginning and the European games rolling round in July, Shelbourne seemed to be running out of steam from August on. With just one win in eight league games going into mid-October, it seemed like the league title was Derry City’s to lose. That ended well. One win from their last eight league games saw the Candystripes go from favourites to stumbling over the line in fourth place. Shamrock Rovers had one hand on their fifth title in a row going into the last day of the season, knowing that victory over Waterford would win them the league if Derry got the better of Shelbourne. With just five minutes to go in the Brandywell, Harry Wood slotted past Brian Maher to award Shels their first title in eighteen years. Heartbreak for Rovers who got too used to winning, heartbreak for Derry City who threw away the league title before watching it being lifted in their own back yard.

With Champions League football booked for the summer and a league title secured, the big question for Shelbourne over the break was ‘how do you improve a premiership winning side?’. It’s hard to tell how that’ll pan out when the season’s yet to begin, but Duff’s side have quietly had a strong transfer window. It seems as though the starting eleven will remain largely the same. Former Derry forward Matt Smith is probably the biggest departure, leaving to join Waterford. Squad players Shane Griffin and Dean Williams departed for Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town respectively, joined in the First Division by young players Gavin Hodgins (Finn Harps), Cian Doyle, Harvey Warren (both Bray Wanderers) and Daithi Folan (Dundalk). Liam Burt’s returned to Shamrock Rovers following his loan whilst Aiden O’Brien has left for Woking. With sides in Scotland circling round top scorer Sean Boyd, the fact that his name is under the retention list rather than the departed, will come as a coup in its own.

Speaking of coups, and no Damien Duff hasn’t tried to overthrow the Dáil just yet, Shelbourne’s business has been smart. Ryan O’Kane, a 21 year old winger who made more than 100 senior appearances for Dundalk, joined following their relegation. He may only have contributed to five league goals last season, but he’s a lightning quick winger and will offer depth in wide areas. He was followed to Tolka Park by striker Mipo Odubeko from Fleetwood Town. A Dublin native, Odubeko spent time at the academies of Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham United. At 22 years of age, Shels have got themselves a quality young striker to partner Sean Boyd up top. Both he and Boyd scored in last week’s 2-0 President’s Cup win over Drogheda United as Shels cruised to victory over the FAI Cup winners. The signing of Ellis Chapman from Sligo Rovers is the new signing for Shelbourne that, as an opposition supporter, concerns me. Formerly a holding midfielder, the Englishman was pushed forward under John Russell at Sligo and racked up nine goals last season from the centre of the park. A surprisingly agile and tricky footballer for a man of his stature, Chapman slalomed through the Derry City backline to notch an 89^th minute winner for his side in July last year. He’s a player who’ll add that extra touch of attacking quality to Shelbourne’s midfield.

Another man who Damien Duff hopes will add quality to his midfield is Kerr McInroy, a former Scotland youth international who Duff worked with at Celtic. The 24 year old Dunfermline native can play across the midfield and has spent time at Dunfermline Athletic, Ayr United, Airdrieonians, Kilmarnock and most recently Partick Thistle. He has been joined at Shels by former Derry City forward Dan Kelly who, despite featuring for City mostly from the bench last year, saw his season cut short by injury before mutually terminating his contract a year before its expiry. The 28 year old scored just once for City, but his experience in the title winning Dundalk side of 2019 will be vital to Duff in his hunt for back-to-back glory.

New signings aside, it’s the usual suspects who you’ll have to watch out for on Friday night. Conor Kearns has been one of the most consistent keepers in the league, whilst centre back Paddy Barrett and captain Mark Coyle were included in last year’s PFAI Team of the Year. Sean Gannon and Tyreke Wilson give width to the defence and love to bomb foward, whilst Ellis Chapman’s arrival gives an already quality midfield of Mark Coyle, Evan Caffrey and Harry Wood an extra bit of dynamism. Ali Coote, Ryan O’Kane, Rayhaan Tulloch and Dan Kelly provide options out wide, whilst the ever-dangerous Sean Boyd netted ten goals in the league last year.

Round-up:

With a semi-competitive game under their belt coming in the form of last week’s President’s Cup victory, Shelbourne look to be fully firing going into the new season. They dominated a Drogheda United side who looked like they were still in pre-season mode last Friday, racing to a 2-0 lead by half-time and holding onto the victory after Drogs keeper Luke Dennison saw red. Boyd and Odubeko are forming a throwback strike partnership. Boyd’s aerial capability and strength compliment the more versatile nature of Odubeko, it’s a duo who Damien Duff reckons will be the best in Ireland. They’ll cause City’s central defence issues on Friday night, but with the Candystripes hoping to make use of the classic ‘new manager bounce’ they’ll surely let off the reigns and go all-out attack on their opponent.

Derry have had an unbeaten preseason, with victories over Cobh Ramblers (1-0), Sligo Rovers (3-2), Institute (5-0), Ballymena United (1-0) and Glenavon (2-0). Aside from a cancelled fixture against Finn Harps, Lynch’s side have a strong preseason against a mixture of opposition. Sean Patton impressed with a hat-trick against Sligo, as well as winners against both Institute and Cobh. Dominic Thomas found goals against Stute and Glenavon, whilst Mickey Duffy netted a brace against Institute and the only goal at home to Ballymena. It’s been good preparation for the Candystripes, who’ll look to bring the confidence and goals into the season proper.

Shelbourne haven’t had a bad off-season either. They swept aside Drogheda United in last week’s curtain raiser, whilst beating Longford Town and Wexford. Draws against Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and St Mochta’s came alongside a 3-0 loss to Drogheda in the Leinster Senior Cup – although that was mostly reserve players. They looked sharp last Friday, with a sure defence, dynamic midfield and a new-found strike partnership. Duff’s side will be gunning for back-to-back titles and they fact they claimed last year’s crown by beating Derry City in the Brandywell will add that extra kick to the game. That win for Shels was the first league game between the two that hadn’t ended in a draw since March 2023, when Ryan Graydon found the winner for City in Tolka Park. There have been six draws and three red cards in the seven since. Derry did get one over Shelbourne in 2024, dumping them out of the FAI Cup in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win back in September. It’s only game one of thirty-six on Friday, but it already feels like we could be looking back on it come November. Ladies and gentlemen, the League of Ireland and the mighty Derry City are back.

 

Pól O’Hare – 12^th February 2025