FAI Cup Quarter Final Match Preview: Derry City v Shelbourne (14th September 2024)

 

FAI Cup Quarter Final Match Preview: Derry City v Shelbourne

 

After a glorious seven day spell at the summit of the Premier Division, Derry City must overcome the disappointment of dropping back down to second, and allowing Shelbourne to reclaim a four point buffer at the top of the table, when they face their title rivals in a cup tie for the ages in the Brandywell on Saturday. It’s the top two in the league, and the two favourites to lift the cup, battling it out in an early-Autumn quarter-final under the Brandywell lights on a Saturday evening. The game’s likely to sell out, and with the added tension of knowing these two won’t meet again until the final day of the campaign, this is the type of game to define a season.

Last time out - Galway United 1-0 Derry City:

Going into a league game as table toppers for the first time in almost six months, Derry City knew that a win could be a massive step towards clinching a first title since 1997. Travelling to a ground they haven’t won at since 2015, City started the game well against the second best defensive team in the league. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men found joy down the flanks against Waterford the week before and went down the same route in Galway. Sixteen minutes in and the closest opportunity of the first half saw Sadou Diallo’s strike from range narrowly miss the post on Brendan Clarke’s right hand side. Six minutes later and it was a loose touch from the former Wolves and Man City midfielder which fielded possession the way of Galway United, forcing Brian Maher into a save following a right-footed Jimmy Keohane effort from outside of the box. City could have, and probably should have, opened the deadlock with less than ten minutes of the first half remaining when neat interplay between Adam O’Reilly and Paul McMullan saw the ball flashed across the box. Will Patching was on hand from fifteen yards out to sweep the ball low and past Clarke in the Galway goal, narrowly missing the same as post as Sadou Diallo twenty minutes earlier.

Thirteen minutes after the restart and Patching again came close, forcing Brendan Clarke into a fantastic save when he whipped a strike from the corner of the box towards the stanchion of the goal. A third great opportunity for City to open the scoring. It wasn’t long though before the home side found themselves a goal. A deep free kick was looped into the Derry box, and it seemed that Brian Maher had caught it, before coming down on top of substitute Danny Mullen and dropping the ball. American midfielder, and August Player of the Month, Patrick Hickey was on hand to stab into the net as the referee waived away claims for a foul from the City faithful. A rare error from Maher, but a massive goal for Galway in their hunt for Europe. Right from the restart and City had a golden opportunity to level it. Danny Mullen, involved for the wrong reasons in the other box just minutes earlier, met Paul McMullan’s inch-perfect ball into the box with his forehead. With the goal to aim at, the Scotsman saw himself denied by the ever-present Brendan Clarke in the United goal. A massive performance from the veteran keeper. City piled on the pressure in the last ten minutes but it wasn’t to be, as one of the league’s soundest defences kept another clean sheet. A poor result for the Candystripes, but the opportunities were there to be taken.

Derry City:

After the highs of topping the table a week prior, the loss to Galway has shown us how small the margins are in football. Derry played well in Eamonn Deacy Park for the most part, the attacking play was crisp and we came agonisingly close on three occasions. If Brendan Clarke wasn’t between the sticks for the Tribesmen, we would have won that game by a margin of a goal or two at least. Paul McMullan showed his skill and close-control down the wing, whilst Patching could have bagged himself a brace on another day. New signing Andre Wisdom was solid once again as he met fellow former Premier League full back Greg Cunningham on the left side of the Galway defence. On the other hand, Pat Hoban was kept quiet on his return to his hometown and Danny Mullen had a second-half cameo to forget. I would have liked to see Sean Robertson come on in the second half, his direct running and raw pace would have troubled a tiring Galwegian back-line. Jacob Davenport is another play I’d love to see more of, with Cameron Dummigan’s injury I think a midfield three of O’Reilly, Patching and Davenport would be a joy to watch. Signed in early July, Davenport’s only 45 minutes in red and white came over a month ago in the 1-1 draw with Dundalk. It was good to see Patrick McEleney back in the team against Galway after breaking his arm earlier in the summer. If he gets up to speed, he could provide that one flick or ball into the box that could win games between now and November. That international break will have been welcomed by the City players and staff alike, as they’ve been given time to regroup and get the defeat on the Atlantic coast out of the system.

Shelbourne:

Quarter-final opponents don’t come much bigger than this at the moment in Irish football. Shelbourne, who lost 4-0 in a record breaking cup final win against Derry City two years ago, travel to the Brandywell four points clear at the top of the Premier Division table. They say form goes out of the window in cup games, and that’s something both managers will want to believe on Saturday. For the top two teams in the country, neither side are really playing like it. Both City and Shelbourne have won just one of their last five league games and are fairly keeping each other occupied in the race for the title. Damien Duff’s Shels side needed extra-time and penalties to beat Galway United in the round of 16 after a 1-0 away win over Bray Wanderers in the second round of the cup. Their 1-0 win away to Dundalk is their only league win since the end of June, whilst a double-header against Swiss giants FC Zurich in the UEFA Conference League added an extra 180 minutes into July and August’s schedule.

Defensively is where Shelbourne have shone this season. Just 19 goals conceded in 29 league games is some feat – Conor Kearns, Paddy Barrett and co. have kept a tight ship at the back for Shels. The addition of the Aiden O’Brien, the former Millwall and Ireland striker who has more than 200 EFL appearances, has hit the ground running since signing from Shrewsbury Town in August. The 30 year old has scored twice in four appearances for the Reds so far, adding to the already strong centre forward options of Sean Boyd and John Martin. Damien Duff will hope that O’Brien’s goal will be important in the run-in as his side have scored 32 in the league this term – ten fewer than Derry City and ranking them in seventh in the league in terms of goals scored. A prolific number nine could be the missing key to the Shelbourne puzzle.

Will Jarvis, who was recalled from his loan by Hull City after playing against Derry back in August, was Shelbourne’s main attacking threat this year. His combined goals and assists of 12 was the highest in their side, ahead of Sean Boyd on 9 and John Martin on 6. Only Jarvis and left back Tyreke Wilson have registered more than two assists this term for Shelbourne. Former Derry City man Matt Smith bagged last time out against Bohemians, a goal which put Shels in the driving seat in the title race – that was his first league goal of the campaign. Captain Mark Coyle is a tough midfielder in the middle of the park, whilst the energy of Evan Caffrey and talent of Harry Wood balance out a tidy midfield trio. Liam Burt, Ali Coote and Rayhaan Tulloch are all quality wingers and give Duff options off the bench. These two won’t face each other now until the last game of the season, a potential title-decider in the Brandywell on the 1^st of November. Things are getting serious.

Round-up:

Derry City have reached the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup for the second time in three years. That fixture in 2022 was one of the best games in the Brandywell all season. City played Shamrock Rovers off the park in the first half, before conceding in the second half and taking the game to extra-time, where goals from Danny Lafferty and Brandon Kavanagh sent City into the semis. Treaty United lay in wait back then and with half of the remaining teams in the Cup currently playing in the First Division, there’s a good chance of another First Division side meeting Saturday’s victor.

Seven of the last eight league ties between Derry City and Shelbourne have ended in draws, with Derry’s 1-0 win in Tolka in March 2023 the only time since August 2022 when the points haven’t been shared. Four of those previous eight have seen red cards whilst the rivalry between Higgins and Duff that we saw in Tolka last month could make a reappearance. In the three games played between Shelbourne and Derry City in 2024, two have been scoreless. Sean Boyd’s 89^th minute equaliser split the spoils in the Brandywell in May. The last quarter-final to be played between these two was the League Cup quarters back in 2018, when City came out 7-3 victors as Ronan Curtis bagged a first half hattrick.

Saturday will mark twelve years to the day since City beat Mervue United 7-1 in the FAI Cup quarter-finals back in 2012. Mark Farren bagged a hat-trick that day, equalling then surpassing Liam Coyle’s record goal tally for the Candystripes when he bagged on the 60^th and 61^st minutes. The solitary goalscorer for Mervue that night was none other than a 21 year old Patrick Hoban. A decade and a bit on, and the now 33 year old will lead the line for City at the same stage in the same competition. Another FAI Cup quarter-final highlight came back in 2014, when City drew 2-2 with eight man Drogheda United before hammering the Louth side 5-0 in the replay. Ryan McBride scored in the first game, whilst Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy both netted – that was ten years ago on Monday. There have certainly been a few high scoring quarter finals in the Brandywell over the past few years, here’s hoping Saturday will bring similar fireworks.

With the other three quarter finals taking place on Friday night, it won’t be much of a wait before the winner in the Brandywell learns their next opponent. The semi-final draw will be held after full-time on Saturday evening, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see an upset or two heading into it. UCD, who beat Sligo Rovers 2-0 in the round of 16, welcome Bohemians to Belfield. Wexford host Treaty United in a tie which will guarantee a First Division side in the last four, whilst Drogheda United travel to Athlone Town in the other fixture. Possibly just 180 minutes away from an Aviva day out, the FAI Cup is really beginning to heat up.

 

Pól O’Hare – 12^th September 2024

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

Drogheda United v. Derry City, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 33, Weavers Park, Friday 6^th October 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            Derry City bounced back from defeat against Sligo in style, scoring five second-half goals to hit relegated UCD for six in the Brandywell. Six different scorers netted for the Candystripes, with Will Patching’s sweeping effort into the top corner the pick of the bunch – one of two goals for the Englishman which have been nominated for the League of Ireland’s goal of the month award for September. Michael Duffy also scored once and assisted twice to help City to their biggest margin of victory this season.

 

            Despite the dominant nature of the win, Derry still sit five points behind Shamrock Rovers at the summit after a second-half Graham Burke strike saw the Hoops past Dublin rivals Shelbourne. Now with just four games to play before the season’s end, it’s Rovers are firmly in the driving seat. Ruaidhrí Higgins and his men haven’t lost hope though, knowing they’ll need to win all twelve points from their final four fixtures in order to capitalise should the champions lose two of theirs.

 

            Drogheda United lie in wait for Derry City, less than two weeks after beating third place St. Pat’s in Inchicore – all but ending the Saints’ title push. In the Louth Derby four evenings later though, Drogheda fell to a 3-1 defeat against Dundalk despite going 1-0 up in the first half. Sitting twelve points above the stricken Cork City in the relegation play-off spot, and three above Sligo Rovers in 8^th, Drogheda are as good as safe from the drop though. Their goal difference of -7 is also considerably better than Cork’s -26, meaning Drogheda will want to finish the season in a strong fashion and without having to worry about relegation.

 

            Both Derry City and Shamrock Rovers have to face Drogheda United, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City before the season’s out. Derry face Shelbourne in two weeks’ time, whilst Rovers are due to play Sligo Rovers on the final day. Derry’s demolition of UCD, who drew 0-0 with Shamrock Rovers a week prior, has meant that the Candystripes have weakened Rovers’ goal difference advantage on the Candystripes to two. With four games to go, and Rovers going without a fixture until the 20^th of October, Derry must win all of their last four games in order to maintain a slim chance of lifting the title in November. Another issue is the fact that the teams who are more likely to take points from Shamrock Rovers – Drogheda and St. Pat’s – both face Derry. Higgins’ men will need to carry on with their fine goalscoring form.

 

                        Drogheda United, since losing 3-0 in the Brandywell in August, have had mixed form. They went on a three game winning run, beating Kerry FC in the FAI Cup before scoring three times back-to-back against Cork City and UCD. After a 3-1 defeat to Bohemians in the cup quarter-final, the Louth side held Bohs to a scoreless draw in the league before beating St. Pat’s earlier last week. They will be hoping to bounce back from their most recent defeat to Dundalk but have beaten Derry just once in their previous seven league meetings. Three one all draws occurred in those seven games, whilst both sides beat each other 1-0 away. In March 2022, a Jamie McGonigle brace ensured a 2-0 win for the Candystripes. The Dungiven man netted again in August 2023 – a 3-0 win in the most recent tie between the sides.

 

            Derry haven’t scored more than one goal in Weavers Park since May 2021, and have won just once there since. Adam O’Reilly bagged his first goal for the club to capture all three points last time City travelled to Drogheda. It’s not just Derry who struggle in Drogheda too. Shamrock Rovers haven’t won there in the league since August 2021, with their last win in Drogheda coming after-extra-time in the second round of the FAI Cup in 2022. In saying that, Drogheda have won just five of their sixteen home games this season and Derry have lost just two of their last 18 against the Louth side. The City faithful will be glad to hear that Derry have the best away form this season, picking up 28 points on the road.

 

            If Derry captain Patrick McEleney doesn’t feature on Friday night, it will have been a month since his last appearance, when he played 35 minutes in City’s 5-0 win against UCD on September 6^th. Some of his creative spark seemed to be missed against Shamrock Rovers, and definitely against Sligo Rovers as City struggled to create meaningful chances. Against UCD last week however, City’s starting front three were on form. Danny Mullen and Michael Duffy both scored, whilst Paul McMullan registered an assist. Brandon Kavanagh looked lively off the bench and did well to score City’s fourth and assist the sixth. Jamie McGonigle will also have been pleased to have scored his first goal since mid-August, when he last netted against Drogheda United. Ronan Boyce’s suspension was served last Friday meaning he is eligible to play in Weavers Park. Despite being on the bench for the past three games, Sam Todd hasn’t played since that 5-0 win over UCD in early September either.

 

            Drogheda United centre back Conor Keeley, who was the subject of a bid from Notts County during the summer, missed the Louth derby through injury. He has made thirty league appearances since joining from Ballymena United in January and will be a miss in the Drogheda defence. He was replaced in the starting eleven by Jamie Egan, who has made just three appearances since joining on loan from Bristol Rovers in the summer. 17 year old goalkeeper Andrew Wogan has started every league game since taking Colin McCabe’s spot in June and seems a promising netminder. He has kept just three clean sheets – against Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and UCD – but hasn’t shied away from Premier Division football.

 

Dayle Rooney started against Dundalk after scoring a goal of the season contender to beat St. Pat’s. That goal was his fourth of the season. Along with nine assists this campaign, the former Shelbourne winger is in good form. Darragh Markey has also racked up seven assists this campaign, whilst former Finn Harps frontman Adam Foley has six goals and five assists in twenty five league appearances. Manager Kevin Doherty has tended to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 but beat Derry City with a 3-5-2 back in April.

 

            It looks unlikely that the Candystripes will lift the league title this year, but it’s not over just yet. A few blips along the road for Shamrock Rovers could open the door for City should Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men keep winning. Finishing the season strongly and winning their last four games would give the players confidence going into the new campaign next year – but there is still work to be done this term yet.

 

Pól O’Hare – 4^th October 2023

Derry City v UCD: Match Preview

  

Derry City FC v. UCD AFC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 32, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 29^th September 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            Derry City’s title push has been dealt a significant blow after losing 1-0 to Sligo Rovers last Friday. A late Stefan Radoslavjević goal punished the ten men of City, who struggled to get a foothold in the game. The Candystripe faithful felt hard done by, with referee Rob Harvey denying Derry a seemingly clear penalty when the game was at 0-0.  Shamrock Rovers’ goalless draw with UCD rubbed salt into the Derry wounds, as a win for Derry would have cut the gap to the top to two points.

           

            Shamrock Rovers now sit five points clear of Derry City at the top of the Premier Division table and will need to lose at least two of their last five games in order to give the Candystripes a chance at catching them. It's definitely not impossible, but it'll be some task. Ruaidhrí Higgins men suddenly found themselves looking over their shoulder too, as a win on Monday night for St. Pat’s over Drogheda, in their game in hand, would have seen the Inchicore side go into second place. Drogheda's Dayle Rooney's goal of the season contender ensured the win for the team from Louth however, keeping Derry in second.

 

            Despite a draw against the champions, made more impressive by the fact they had just 20% of the ball and faced 23 shots, UCD’s relegation to the First Division was confirmed on Friday. This came just a day after it was announced that manager Andy Myler would leave his role at the end of the season. It was also confirmed on Friday that UCD would be replaced in the Premier Division by Galway United. The Tribesmen’s 4-0 away win over Kerry FC ensured their return to Ireland’s top domestic league after a six year absence. Galway currently have a massive goal difference of +66 and their 4-0 FAI Cup win over Dundalk shows that they ought to be respected in 2024.

 

            Friday’s meeting between Derry City and UCD will be the second between the teams in September alone. Derry swept the Students aside earlier in the month, beating them 5-0 in the UCD Bowl. The Candystripes will hope for a similar outcome this time round, but UCD’s resilience against Shamrock Rovers shows that Derry will have to be clinical.

           

            Since that win against UCD earlier in the month, City have drawn with Shamrock Rovers and lost to Sligo Rovers – two results which have dented their title push.

 

            Derry City were without Patrick McEleney against Sligo on Friday – the 31 year old also missed out on Derry’s game against Shamrock Rovers and hasn’t featured for the Candystripes since that 5-0 win over UCD. Shane McEleney has served his one game ban after a straight red card against Rovers, but City will be without Ronan Boyce for the tie against UCD after his red card in Sligo. Jamie McGonigle hasn’t played for Derry since their 3-1 away win to Dundalk at the start of the month, but has been an unused substitute in the three games since – he’ll be hoping to get a run out against UCD after scoring a hat-trick against the Students last season. Sam Todd will also want to play against his former club, but has played just twice for Derry since signing during the summer.

 

            UCD have nothing but pride to play for after the confirmation of their relegation. They were without defender Adam Wells against Shamrock Rovers after suspension, but he is eligible for the game against Derry. The Students haven’t scored in the league since a 1-1 draw with Cork City on the 11^th of August, conceding eleven goals and picking up just one point since that draw in Turner’s Cross. UCD’s main threat comes from 21 year old striker Danu Kinsella-Bishop, who is their top scorer with five goals. Ciaran Behan has also scored twice and made three assists from midfield in the 2023 campaign. 18 year old Jake Doyle has netted thrice and recorded one assist. Donegal native Jack Keaney is the UCD captain and has made 30 appearances this term. Winger Daniel Norris has made 28, whilst former Derry midfielder Brendan Barr, Adam Wells and Kinsella-Bishop have made 26. Departing manager Andy Myler is no stranger to switching up his tactics. He has set up in a 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 this term.

 

            There seems to have been a lot of “what if’s” this season, but this match could have been massively beneficial to Derry’s title challenge if they won last week in Sligo. Despite last week's loss, a win for Derry on Friday would close the gap to Rovers back to two points if the champions lose to Shelbourne. The Candystripes certainly aren’t down and out yet, but they will want to finish the season in a strong fashion should they be the ones lifting the trophy in November or not. They need to get a run of wins together in order to make the most of any slip-ups from Shamrock Rovers - if they are to occur again.

 

Pól O’Hare – 27 September 2023