Double Preview: St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Shamrock Rovers v Derry City

 

Double Preview: St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Shamrock Rovers v Derry City

 

St Patrick’s Athletic FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 16, Richmond Park, Friday 17^th May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

Shamrock Rovers FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 25, Tallaght Stadium, Monday 20^th May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

After conceding a late equaliser to Shelbourne and missing the chance to go top nine days ago, Derry City struck five minutes from time to beat Bohemians and stay within touching distance of first position. Michael Duffy swept past Bohs’ netminder Kacper Chorazka in the 85^th minute to give the Candystripes all three points after a relatively even affair on Friday night.

 

Up next for Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men are two difficult back-to-back away matches against St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday and Shamrock Rovers on Monday. The Saints have been front and centre in terms of Irish football news in recent days after speculation heavily linking Stephen Kenny with the vacant manager’s job came to fruition. Jon Daly, who guided Pats to cup glory last campaign, was relieved of his duties after a 1-0 loss to Sligo Rovers – a result which left the Inchicore side 7^th in the table. Stephen Kenny, who won six trophies as Derry City manager, had been unemployed since leaving his post as Republic of Ireland boss last November. The 52 year old is the  most successful League of Ireland manager of the modern era after his spell with Dundalk where he won five league titles, three FAI Cups and two League Cups as well as qualifying for the Europa League Group Stages. Landing the Dubliner on a five year deal is a clear statement of intent from Pats. The man who mentored Ruaidhrí Higgins during his time as both a player and coach at Dundalk, as well as a player at Derry City, will face him in the opposing dugout on Friday.

 

Shamrock Rovers have also been in the news recently after they secured a sponsorship deal with Sharp Group to install LED perimeter advertising boards for Tallaght Stadium. The deal has been described as the largest ever commercial sponsorship in League of Ireland history and will bring around €650k which will go towards funding professional contracts for academy players. The club hope to generate up to €1m across the four-year partnership in something that can be seen as a positive for the League of Ireland as a whole. It’s clear that Tallaght is the best stadium in the league, but the added signage will give it an even more professional and high-end feel. The fact that the revenue is earmarked to contribute to youth players breaking into the senior team is crucial in a sustainable model for a modern football club. Fair played to Rovers.

 

Back to on the pitch matters and Derry City welcomed back Patrick McEleney into the team after a near-two month absence through injury. Sadou Diallo, injured in pre-season, got the best part of a half-hour into the tank to make his second appearance of the campaign. Michael Duffy made a scoring return to the squad after a niggling injury picked up against Shamrock Rovers, whilst Sam Todd saw his first action since the 0-0 draw with Shelbourne back on April first. Ruaidhrí Higgins will be glad to get some of his key players fit and firing for the upcoming schedule.

 

Last week’s win against Bohemians leaves the Candystripes in second, just one point from top spot and with a superior goal difference than table-topping Shelbourne. Shels and Shamrock Rovers both dropped points last weekend drawing with Drogheda United and St. Pat’s respectively. It’s only been three and a half weeks since we last played Rovers and Pat’s in a double-header, coming out with a 3-1 win and a 3-1 loss, but this time it could be a real opportunity to go out and make a statement against two sides who had league-winning aspirations coming into the campaign. Despite being third, it feels like Rovers are still the team to beat, whilst Pat’s’ squad is rich on quality and could turn any team in the league over on their day.

 

As I’ve said, Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat’s played out a 2-2 draw last weekend. Former City midfielder Brandon Kavanagh racked up his eighth assist of the campaign – three higher than Shamrock Rovers’ Dylan Watts to render himself the outright assist leader in the division. 16 year old striker Mason Melia’s cool finish, clipping the ball over Leon Pohls to level the scores in the second half, has done the rounds on social media. He looks like he’ll turn out to be a quality player. In terms of Rovers, they had 19 shots in that game – 10 of which were on target. Combine that with 59% possession, and the fact that Pat’s’ goalkeeper Danny Rogers was forced into making 8 saves, it shows that Stephen Bradley’s men are relentless in searching for goals.

 

The usual suspects are to be watched for both teams this weekend. Neil Farrugia and Jack Byrne are both back from injury, whilst Aaron Greene has a scoring ratio of one in two and Darragh Burns has contributed to seven goals in fifteen games. If there’s a weakness in the Rovers team, it’s probably in the goalkeeping position. Leon Pohls has had some shaky moments in the past but has proven himself as Rovers’ number one keeper this term. Still, his slip prior to Melia’s equaliser gave the striker ample opportunity to lift the ball over him. In terms of Pat’s’ dangers on Friday, there’s no denying the quality in midfield. I had a feeling that selling Brandon Kavanagh might come back to bite Derry, and with the Dubliner on top of the assist charts it’s fair to say he’ll be a threat on Friday. Chris Forrester needs no introduction, whilst Jamie Lennon and Aaron Bolger add to a very solid midfield. If Jon Daly didn’t stick with the back five as much, I’d say Pat’s would be considerably closer to the summit than they currently are now.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it’s another massive weekend in the title race. With how tight the top of the table is at the minute – just three points separating the top three – any slip up could completely derail a title challenge. Rovers haven’t quite clicked into gear just yet, Shelbourne’s once eight point gap has dwindled to just one and a win for Waterford in their game in hand could have them joint third. The standard of the bottom half of the table has made the rest of the league more competitive, and it’s for the better. City have lost just one of their last eleven league games against Pats, but haven't beaten Shamrock Rovers in over a year. Two big performances on Friday and Monday could go a long way and, after these two games, Derry will only play both St. Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers once more before the campaign’s over in November.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16th May 2024

Derry City v Bohemians: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Bohemians: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. Bohemian FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 15, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 10^th May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier Division table on Monday night after slipping to draws against Galway United and Shelbourne over the weekend. The Candystripes’ winless run in Galway will extend past the nine year mark when the sides next meet in late August, whilst Monday’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne marks the sixth draw in the last seven fixtures between the two.

 Despite City keeping nearly 70% of the ball against Galway, both sides fashioned six shots each – with each team registering just one shot a piece on target. The visitors came painfully close on the 90^th minute mark as a curling Will Patching effort from distance crashed off the crossbar. That point, and an away win on Monday over Bohemians, means that Galway now find themselves in fourth spot, four points behind Derry with a game in hand.

 

Monday evening’s fixture against table-toppers Shelbourne had a big-game feel to it and, despite the closure of Block K, the atmosphere lived up to the occasion. With Shamrock Rovers losing 3-1 at home to Waterford earlier in the day, City had a golden opportunity to go top for the first time since the 1^st of March. Damien Duff, too, knew that a win in the Brandywell would open a four point gap between his side and the champions. Neither side really dominated in the first half, with Paul McMullan coming closest when his right-footed volley from outside the box struck the post.

 

The Scottish winger, who was a standout performer on Monday, finally found his first goal in red and white ten minutes into the second half though. With Shelbourne’s defence under pressure, a combination of a loose pass and an out-of-position Conor Kearns meant that McMullan’s shot from distance would nestle into the bottom corner, giving City the lead. After thirty-three minutes at the top of the pile, Shels substitute Sean Boyd flicked Will Jarvis’ cross into the corner, sending the away end into raptures and keeping the Reds at the summit for another week. Derry probably could’ve done with an injection of energy in the front line after about the 75^th minute, but Danny Mullen’s introduction in the 93^rd minute was too late to impact the game. Sadou Diallo was a welcomed return as he featured for the first time this campaign, but the City faithful will have to wait even longer for a win over Shelbourne and a return to first place.

 

This Friday’s opponents, Bohemians, have had an up and down first fourteen matches. Winning just three of their first seven games, the Phibsborough side sacked their Derry-native manager Declan Devine in early March. Former City assistant Alan Reynolds left his post as Keith Long’s right-hand-man at Waterford to take the helm in Dalymount, immediately revitalising his squad to win their first five of their first seven games under his leadership. Since beating Drogheda United 1-0 on the 19^th of April though, Bohs have picked up just one point from the last three fixtures. That point came in the Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers, but losing 2-0 away to Dundalk – the Lilywhites' first win of the season – and to a ten-man Galway United at home, will raise concerns with the Bohemian’s faithful.

 

Currently sat fifth, level on points with Galway United in fourth and four points behind both Derry and Rovers with a game in hand, a win for Bohemians on Friday would put them right back in the mix for European spots. The Gypsies handed City their first loss of the season, triumphing 2-1 down in Dalymount on the 15th of March. They’ve also beaten Shelbourne and St. Pat’s this season, so Reynold’s men are certainly not to be underestimated. Only this week former Pat’s and Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell was named as the assistant to Alan Reynolds, so it seems like some stability on and off the pitch will do Bohemians no harm.

 

Top scorer for Bohs this season is none other than James Akintunde, the former Derry City striker who made the switch to Dalymount ahead of the 2023 season. He struggled with injuries last term, but four goals and an assist in eleven league games marks the Englishman’s best run of form in the red and black jersey. Dayle Rooney, signed from Drogheda United in the off-season, has made a good start to life in Phibsborough too, scoring once and registering four assists in thirteen games this campaign. Jordan Flores, clinical from dead-ball situations, has notched three goals this season – two coming from the penalty spot. Hull City defender Jevon Mills has been solid since signing on-loan too, impressing in a new-look backline.

 

Derry City haven’t beaten Bohemians in the Brandywell since September 2022, when a Michael Duffy wondergoal clinched the points for Derry. You have to go back another two years to find the previous Derry win in the Brandywell, Stephen Mallon and Walter Figueira scored in the second half to claim a 2-0 win for the Candystripes in the last home game with fans for over a year due to the Covid pandemic. Derry could keep the two year trend going with a win over Reynolds’ side on Friday. Five of the last nine league games between the two on Foyleside have ended in draws, whilst both sides beat each other away from home last campaign. 
It’s a tough few matches coming up for City, who face St. Patricks Athletic and Shamrock Rovers away the weekend after next. The draw with Shelbourne was the first time this season that Derry didn’t win after scoring first, but six draws from fifteen games shows that City could do with turning single points into three as soon as possible.

Pól O'Hare - 8 May 2024

Galway United v Derry City & Derry City v Shelbourne: Double Match Preview

 

Galway United v Derry City & Derry City v Shelbourne: Double Match Preview

 

Galway United FC v. Derry City FC., League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 13, Eamonn Deacy Park, Friday 3^rd May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City FC v. Shelbourne FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 14, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Monday 6^th May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

The Friday-Monday gameweeks are coming thick and fast for Derry City, who picked up their first away win of the season against Waterford last weekend. A first away win since the 27^th of October and their first win in the RSC since May 2021 – it seems like momentum is finally of the Candystripes’ side. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men find themselves third in the table after going second on Friday, before being leapfrogged by Shamrock Rovers who beat Drogheda United 4-0 in their game in hand on Monday evening. Just a point behind Rovers and three behind Shelbourne, who at a stage found themselves nine points in the clear - a big weekend could catapult City into top spot should other results go their way.

 

Derry were in control down in Waterford. Aside from a few half-chances for the home side, and a Pádraig Almond shot which rattled the crossbar at 2-0, City looked comfortable and confident. Will Patching got his just reward after another standout performance in the midfield, cooly slotting a penalty past Sam Sargent to open the scoring. Pat Hoban showed his prowess too, holding the ball up well and being placed in the right place at the right time to convert Dan Kelly’s parried effort. Speaking of Kelly, the winger came off the bench to replace the injured Ben Doherty in the first half and produced his best performance in a Derry shirt by far. Involved in both goals, it was Kelly’s darting run in behind the defence which led to the 27 year old being felled in the box – a foul which resulted in Patching’s penalty. His direct runs troubled Waterford left-back Robbie McCourt all evening, and it was from this that City found their second. A nutmeg on the half-turn from Kelly caused chaos in the home-side’s box, resulting in Pat Hoban scoring from point-blank range to seal the three points. Mark Connolly was solid as per, whilst Adam O’Reilly and Paul McMullan displayed their fitness levels and energy throughout. It was a solid night of football from Higgins’ men.

 

There’s no good news on the injury front however. Ben Doherty, who only just returned from a knock, was substituted in the first half. Michael Duffy, brought off injured against Shamrock Rovers, was only fit enough for the bench in the last two fixtures and didn’t seem to be entirely comfortable down in the RSC as he was seen feeling his left knee after being introduced in the second half. Sadou Diallo and Cameron Dummigan are reportedly nearing returns though, two men who will be raring to get their seasons kickstarted.

 

Galway United handed Derry City their first home-loss of the season when a late goal on the break saw them claim their first league win in the Brandywell since May 2015. Promoted from the First Division with thirty wins last season, a tally which saw them win the league by a whopping 25 points, Galway came back into the Premier Division after a six year hiatus as something of an unknown quantity. Unable to return to the top flight since being relegated in 2017, manager John Caulfield saw more value in holding on to his First Division winners than splash the cash on a raft of new signings. League of Ireland stalwarts Conor McCormack, Brendan Clarke and Regan Donelon were re-signed, alongside David Hurley and Wassim Aoucharia, to name a few. The latter two contributed to 39 of Galway’s 98 goals last term.

 

The Tribesmen haven’t made a bad start to life back in the Premier Division by any means. They find themselves fifth, right in the middle of the table with 16 points after 12 games. They have a strangely satisfying share of four wins, four draws and four losses from those twelve, scoring seven and conceding seven along the way. Five points off the relegation zone is where they want to be, but a six point gap to Derry in third shows how competitive the league is this year, and that a bit of goalscoring form may get them closer to the European spots. United’s goal record shows two things. Firstly, with seven scored, they’re the second lowest scoring team in the league behind only bottom-placed Dundalk who have six – a surprisingly low tally for a team that bagged nearly 100 last year. A certain Galwegian by the name of Pat Hoban already has two more than that himself. On the flip side, their seven goals conceded is the best defensive record in the league, two clear of Shelbourne and four clear of Shamrock Rovers. For reference, Derry City have scored 22 and conceded 14. Galway will be without manager John Caulfield on Friday, and for two games thereafter, as a result of "disciplinary regulation breaches". Defender Rob Slevin will also miss the game through suspension.

 

The May-day bank holiday fixture against Shelbourne could turn out to be quite a crucial match come the business end of the season. Shels flew out of the blocks, winning six of their first nine games and drawing the other three. In saying that, Damien Duff’s men have won just one of their last six since drawing 0-0 with the Candystripes in Tolka back on Easter Monday. One of those losses came away to Galway United, a result which Ruaidhrí Higgins will have his team well warned about. Aside from that recent slump, it can’t be understated that Shelbourne have lost just twice all season and do deserve to be at the top of the table. Will Jarvis has been the stand-out performer, netting five goals this term on loan from Hull City. Former Finn Harps men Sean Boyd and Mark Coyle have contributed to four and three goals respectively too. It’s defensively where Shelbourne are strongest though. They kept a clean sheet despite an onslaught of Derry City pressure in the first half in Tolka back in early April. The experience of Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett compliment the energy of Gavin Molloy in the backline, leading Shelbourne to keep the second best defensive record behind the Candystripes last term. Liam Burt, on loan from Shamrock Rovers, has started brightly at Shelbourne and adds quality on the wings. Former Derry City forward Matt Smith also assisted John Martin’s winner against St. Patrick’s Athletic last time out.

 

Derry City haven’t travelled to Eamonn Deacy Park since September 2017, when Rory Patterson got on the scoresheet as City fell to a 2-1 defeat. Galway captain Conor McCormack got sent off as a Derry City player in a scoreless draw against Galway in June 2016, whilst the Candystripes have to look back to August 2015 to find their last win away against the Tribesmen. Mark Timlin bagged a brace that day, whilst Stephen Dooley and Ciaran O’Connor found the others. City did have a six year unbeaten spell in Galway, beginning with a 4-1 win in April 2011 and ending with a 2-0 League Cup defeat in April 2017. 
Despite not beating Shelbourne in the Brandywell since October 2020, City have lost just once to the Reds in their last nine meetings on Foyleside. The aforementioned Conor McCormack started that game in 2020, whilst Ciarán Coll, Cameron McJannet, Ciaron Harkin and Ronan Boyce are the only players from that squad who still find themselves at the Brandywell. Five of the last six league outings between Shelbourne and Derry City ended in draws, threw 0-0s and two 1-1s. Even if there are goals, there will be very little to seperate the sides on the night. 

 

It's another big weekend of football in the Premier Division, with just three points separating the top three and six up for grabs between Friday and Monday, this weekend could be vital in determining the eventual champions. Shelbourne face 10^th placed Dundalk in Oriel Park on Friday, a team who beat Bohemians last week to earn their first win of the season. Shamrock Rovers face Bohs in the Dublin Derby, whilst a win for Drogheda away to St. Pat’s could lift them out of the relegation zone. Two games in four days is always a tough ask, and Derry haven’t won both games in a Friday-Monday match weekend since May last year, when 1-0 and 3-0 wins over Bohemians and Dundalk saw Derry on their way to winning four games in a row. Should the Candystripes win both games this weekend, it’ll be the first time they’ve won four consecutive fixtures since that spell last year. Much to think about…

 Best of luck to Institute on Friday as they take on Ballymena United in the second leg of the promotion/relegation play-off. Danny Lafferty's wonderstrike in the Brandywell has them 1-0 up going into the tie which could see Stute return to the top flight for the first time since the 2019/20 campaign. It'd be great for the City to have two teams in the top flights again!

 

Pól O’Hare – 1 May 2024

 

 

 

 

Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Waterford FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 12, RSC, Friday 26^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Despite the negativity surrounding events both on and off the pitch in Derry’s 3-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Friday, City have come out of yet another Friday-Monday weekend just three points off top spot following an impressive 3-1 win over St Pat’s on Monday night.

 

The Candystripes started brightly against the champions on Friday, with Danny Mullen coming closest when a left-footed effort from outside the box crashed off the post in the first half. Derry’s deployment of a five-man defence meant that Will Patching and Adam O’Reilly had a serious amount of running to do in the centre of the park. As Rovers grew more into the game and took control, their midfield of Richie Towell, Graham Burke, Dylan Watts and Gary O’Neill ran the show. Watts assisted both of Aaron Greene’s goals, whilst Towell swept Graham Burke’s lay off past Brian Maher to seal the game with 20 minutes to go. Pat Hoban’s 7^th goal of the season was merely a consolation, but the side from Tallaght dominated the second half in a way that isn’t often seen in the Brandywell. The City faithful will want to get this one out of their memories as quickly as possible, particularly when considering the scenes at the end of the match.

 

Monday’s performance was a near-perfect response though. With around 500 less people in the Brandywell, the players knew they needed to get the crowd back on side. Even though they had 67% of the ball throughout the ninety minutes, St Pat’s posed little threat despite the quality in their attacking areas. The Saints’ centre backs saw a lot of the ball, but Derry sat tight. It seems like Ruaidhrí Higgins had a game plan and the players stuck to it. Danny Mullen continued his rich vein of form, scoring either side of a Pat Hoban goal to guide City to a healthy victory. That goal from Hoban was City's 2500th in a competitive fixture. Unlucky not to find the net against Rovers, Mullen’s deft flicks and passing range are complimenting the team nicely. It was good to see both of City’s strikers get on the scoresheet as the manager went for two-up-top, a tactical change which won them the game last time Pat’s visited the Brandywell.

 

We’re now two-and-a-half months into the season and Derry’s injury woes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Cameron Dummigan has appeared just once since being stretchered off against Sligo Rovers back in February and hasn’t been included in the squad since his return against Dundalk. It’s a similar story with Patrick McEleney, after receiving his long awaited Achilles surgery at the end of 2023, the midfielder seemed to be back to his best in pre-season. He was also brought off injured in that game in Sligo and has appeared just once since. Last appearing on the bench in draw away to Drogheda two weeks ago, it seems like City’s captain may have another tough season ahead as he awaits results of a calf scan. Sadou Diallo, injured in a friendly against Finn Harps in pre-season, hasn’t been in a matchday squad this term as he approaches his third month on the sidelines. The bad news keeps coming too - Jordan McEneff has suffered a broken foot and won't be involved for the forseeable. Michael Duffy, too, picked up an injury against in Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers and saw no minutes against Pat’s on Monday. Ruaidhrí Higgins will hope that his left winger’s knock isn’t serious.

 

Waterford have had something of an up-and-down season so far. They’ve won three matches – beaten Bohemians, St. Pat’s and Drogheda – but have lost four and drawn four of the other eight matches. They’ve won only once this season at home and will want to pick up their form if they’re to keep breathing space between themselves at the bottom two. 8^th at the minute, Waterford are just two points off fellow promoted side Galway United in 5^th. They bagged 84 goals last season in the First Division and, with striker Pádraig Amond scoring five already this season, the Blues certainly aren’t short when it comes to finding a goal. Winger Maleace Asamoah, who appeared eight times in League One last season, has found the net three times this term too. Left back Darragh Leahy has also had an impressive start to the season, scoring twice and assisting twice to date. Northern Ireland U21 international Barry Baggley is a tidy defensive midfielder who can dictate play from the centre of the park. He’s been out injured since mid-March and will be a miss to the Waterford midfield. Goalkeeper Sam Sargent is quietly making a name for himself too. With three clean sheets and an assist already this term, the English keeper is a calm head between the sticks.

 

City’s 3-0 win over Waterford in the Brandywell earlier this season will give the side confidence going into Friday’s fixture. Pat Hoban would be doing well to replicate that hattrick on Friday, but with eight goals in ten games you’d be mad to bet against him getting on the scoresheet. The Candystripes haven’t won in Waterford since May 2021 when Ronan Boyce got the only goal of the game against just four minutes. The right back is now a nailed on starter for City and has bagged twice so far this campaign. Friday will be Derry's 600th away game in the Premier Division and their  50th against Waterford. The Blues are unbeaten in their last three and Derry haven't won on the road this season, so it’s up to the visitors to show their ruthless side and gather another valuable three points.
Pól O'Hare - 24 April 2024

Double Preview: Derry City v Shamrock Rovers & St. Patrick’s Athletic

 

 

Derry City v. Shamrock Rovers, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 11, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 19^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City v. St Patrick’s Athletic, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 24 (technically), Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Monday 22^nd April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It’s already the third Friday-Monday match weekend of the season and they don’t come much tougher than this. After failing to put the game to bed away to Drogheda United last week and drawing 2-2, manager Ruaidhrí Higgins will want his players to be on top form against the champions and FAI Cup winners this weekend.

 

The Candystripes weren’t poor against Drogheda by any means. After going 1-0 down within three minutes, the City players responded well and played some neat football before the half was out. Michael Duffy equalised for City just before the half-hour mark, stooping highest to head a Paul McMullan cross past South African international goalkeeper Jethren Barr. Will Patching one-upped himself in his own goal of the month competition, firing a looping strike from range into the top corner on the stroke of half-time. The former Manchester City midfielder will make his 100th appearance for City on Friday against Shamrock Rovers.

 

Derry came close to adding to their lead in the second half as Danny Mullen’s header came off the post – a goal which would’ve surely guaranteed the points for the travelling side. The pressure on Brian Maher’s goal mounted as the half went on though and, five minutes from time, Haitian forward Frantz Pierrot saw his side-footed effort go in off the post – opening his account for Drogs. The substitutions of Daniel Kelly and Danny Mullen, two forwards, for Shane McEleney and Ben Doherty, two defenders, prior to the late equaliser meant that Derry lacked a bit of dynamism going forward in search of the winner. A late free-kick towards the back post came to nothing, and City left Weaver’s Park with just a point. They’ve one only won of their last six fixtures on Boyneside.

 

Bohemians’ win over Shelbourne did mean that City didn’t concede more ground to the Tolka table-toppers. Without a win in their last three, Shelbourne’s early dominance may be starting to wane. Bohs beat Dundalk in their game in hand earlier this week too, meaning that they’re now third place and sit level on points with Derry. Shamrock Rovers’ recent resurgence after a slow start means that they too are back in the top 4, a point behind the Candystripes with a game in hand.

 

Derry haven’t beaten Rovers in the Brandywell since a 2-0 win in the President’s Cup in early 2023, and haven’t beaten them in league action since Jamie McGonigle’s 95^th minute winner in February 2022. Similarly to 2023, the Hoops made another slow start to the league campaign. Last year they had to wait until the seventh game to pick up their first win, before winning nine of their next eleven fixtures. Eventually winning the league by a margin of seven points shows that Rovers’ slow starts should never be taken as an indicator of how their season may go. They picked up just three points from their first four games this term, but have won four of their last five games and seem to be getting back into their groove.

 

A 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers, who had an impressive start to the season, shows that Rovers are coming back into form. Aaron Greene bagged twice, whilst Graham Burke – who won and scored a penalty against Derry in the 1-1 in the Brandywell last year – opened the scoring. MK Dons loanee, and former St. Pat’s winger, Darragh Burns joined the Hoops at the beginning of the season and has five goal involvements in nine games this campaign, including a goal and assist in Tallaght when Derry visited in early March. That 2-2 draw, much like the one last week against Drogheda, was another instance when City lacked that lethal touch and conceded late on to squander a 2-1 lead.

 

Rory Gaffney, who has been key to Rovers’ success in the past few years, hasn’t played since the 15^th of March. Jack Byrne is another notable absentee – the former Republic of Ireland international hasn’t featured since September of last year. Derry man Aaron McEneff also hasn’t played for Shamrock Rovers since rejoining for the club on loan from Perth Glory. Neil Farrugia, too, has played just once this season after picking up an injury on the opening day draw to Dundalk. Despite their injury issues though, the Tallaght side have quality all over the pitch and have a ruthless streak that has seen them win four titles in a row. Derry City will need to be on their A-game if they’re to get three points on Friday.

 

It doesn’t get any easier for City as they host St. Patrick’s Athletic for the second time already this season on Monday. Due to European involvement for both camps in July, this game is technically ‘Round 24’. Don’t worry, Round 23 isn’t until the 4^th of July. Inconsistent is probably the best way to describe Pat’s’ season so far, which isn’t surprising due to the amount of new faces that came through the door in the off-season. Out of their ten games this season, they’ve won four, lost four and drawn two – leaving them fifth in the table but just two points behind City in second place.

 

Saints’ boss Jon Daly would have been disappointed after his side played out a scoreless draw against bottom-side Dundalk last week, but 2-1 and 3-0 wins over Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers show that they’re no slouches when they get going. Former Derry City playmaker Brandon Kavanagh has assisted four of the Inchicore side’s ten goals this season, but marquee signing Ruairi Keating has found the net just twice this campaign. Former Cliftonville defender Luke Turner is joint top scorer for Pat’s this term, joint on two with the aforementioned Keating. Aside from Kavanagh’s four assists, the other players who registered an assist for the Saints in 2024 are defenders- Joe Redmond, Conor Keeley and Anto Breslin. Ten goals coming from eight different scorers shows that Pat's aren’t reliant on one man – which could be a threat to City on Monday.

 

Derry’s 2-1 win over St Patrick’s Athletic on the first of March was a great show of resolve by the City players. After an eventless first half, Ruairi Keating fired past Brian Maher just minutes after the restart to give the away side the lead. A goal from Pat Hoban on the 65^th, followed by a 92^nd minute Danny Mullen winner gave the Candystripe faithful hope for the season ahead. It hasn’t gone quite to plan so far, as Derry remain winless on the road, but winning four out of five games at home bodes well going into the weekend ahead.

 

The height in the Pats backline shows that they won’t shy away from the physical battle, whilst the return of goalkeeper Danny Rogers to the starting eleven has added more confidence in the defence. Liverpool loanee Marcelo Pitaluga hasn’t appeared since a 3-1 loss to Waterford in March after shipping seven goals in his first four appearances for Daly’s side. Derry know all too well the talents of Chris Forrester and Jake Mulraney – two players who bring a bit of flair and unpredictability to the Pats midfield.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins will have been glad to see Ben Doherty and Patrick McEleney back in the matchday squad after injuries, whilst the sight of Sadou Diallo and Pat Hoban training alongside Colm Whelan down in Drogheda was a welcomed one. It’ll be a year to the day on Sunday since Whelan burst onto the Derry scene with a winner against Cork City after a year out due to an ACL tear. The forward, who signed from UCD, suffered a devastating reoccurrence of that ACL injury at the start of May last year though – meaning he suffered two potential career ending injuries in consecutive Mays. Whelan won’t be rushed into the team, but if he’s fit by the summer he’ll be a welcomed addition as City aim to fight on league, cup and European fronts.

 

It's weekends like these that shape seasons. Lose on Friday and Monday and there mightn’t be a league title push for City this season. Win both games and City could find themselves back on top of the pile. The Candystripes will need to be ruthless if they are to win big ties like these, as the loss of more points from winning positions will come back to haunt us come November. Risk-taking is a part of the sport, and making offensive changes to kill a game will reap rewards if they mean that Derry get into the habit of coming away with more than a draw when the going gets tough. Friday's sold out and Monday won't be far off it, this should be a good weekend of action.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16 April 2024

 

 

 

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 10, Weaver’s Park, Friday 12^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It was a case of no-Hoban-no-problem for Derry City as they thumped stricken Dundalk 4-1 at the Brandywell to end a three-game winless streak and climb back to second in the Premier Division table. Goals from Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching, Danny Mullen and Michael Duffy saw City cruise past the Louth side, who sacked manager Stephen O’Donnell after the loss and find themselves rock bottom of the table – winless this term. Derry face Dundalk’s Louth and relegation zone neighbours Drogheda United on Friday, as the Candystripes aim to build on some positive momentum following a handful of poor performances.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men seemed to have a bit of confidence about them on Friday night, showing the signs of a reinvigorated side. City's manager spoke before the game on how he wanted his team to put in a shift that would get the fans back on side and, particularly in the second half, they did just that. It seemed that fans, players and staff alike were pleased to have the pressure lifted and get a bit of positivity back about the Brandywell. Adam O’Reilly and Will Patching were particularly impressive in controlling the midfield, crowning their performances by each finding the back of the net. Another positive was seeing the returns of Cameron Dummigan and Ben Doherty after injuries, whilst four different scorers showed that Pat Hoban wasn’t as much a miss as feared.

 

It doesn’t feel like two months ago since Drogheda travelled to the Brandywell on the opening day of the season and, with the first round of fixtures behind us, a quarter of 2024’s league games have already been played. Since their 2-1 defeat in the Brandywell in mid-February, Drogheda’s season hasn’t quite gone to plan. Their only win came over Bohemians, a 2-1 victory in early March. The Drogs are coming off the back of a run which has seen them draw their last three fixtures, although holding table toppers Shelbourne and third placed St Patrick’s Athletic are certainly not bad results.

 

Drogheda have struggled for goals this season and it seems to be hurting them. Left back Evan Weir is their top league scorer with three goals. Andrew Quinn, Steve Zishim Bawa and Derry native Oisin Gallagher are the club’s only other league scorers – chipping in with a goal each. Haitian striker Frantz Pierrot, who was highly sought after following a bountiful season in the First Division with Athlone Town last year, has failed to hit the ground running. He has featured in seven of Drogs’ eight games and hasn’t yet found the back of the net. Warren Davis is also scoreless in eight games this season, leading manager Kevin Doherty to trust veteran midfielder Ryan Brennan with leading the line against Shelbourne last week.

 

Playmaker Darragh Markey is always a threat when Drogheda play. The former St. Pat’s man contributed to five goals last season and is tricky in the number ten role. Derry man Oisin Gallagher, who is on loan from Lincoln City, opened his account for the season with a smart finish against Shelbourne last week, and is versatile across the midfield. Despite not scoring this term, Frantz Pierrot’s strength and presence in the attack can’t be undermined – his twenty-two goal haul last season speaks for itself. Former Finn Harps man Adam Foley also netted a hattrick in a recent 4-0 win over Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup. Drogheda United certainly aren’t a bad side and have talent in the team which would arguably warrant a higher placing in the league than were they find themselves.

 

Derry City could do with continuing their newfound run of form and winning away to Drogheda on Friday, especially considering the double-header against Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat’s the weekend after. The Candystripes are unbeaten in their last four against Drogheda and have lost just twice of the last nine games against the Louth side, going back to March 2022. Weaver’s Park is a tough place to go to though, with City coming out on top in just one of the last five meetings between the two there. Adam O’Reilly scored his first Derry City goal in this fixture last year - he’ll be hoping to find another this time out.

 

With the gap to top spot still sitting at six points, Derry need to be winning in order to stay in the hunt for the title. Drogheda find themselves three points from safety and need to turn their unbeaten streak into wins across the next few weeks in order to gain some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The game on Friday mightn’t be a pretty one, but both sides will be aiming for the win in order to keep tabs in their fights at either end of the table.

Pól O'Hare - 11 April 2024

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. Dundalk FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 9, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 5^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Both Derry City and Dundalk go into Friday’s fixture looking to end poor runs of form. After winning three of their opening five games, City find themselves 8 point adrift of top spot after picking up just one point from their last three matches. Dundalk sit rock bottom of the table, without a win and with a goal difference of -9. Both teams, and both managers, will be desperate to get three more points on the board as pressure already begins to mount this early in the campaign.

 

Derry’s loss against Galway United on Friday marked a low-point in the Ruaidhrí Higgins era. As unbeaten Shelbourne extended their lead at the top with a win against Dundalk, City were outfought by a newly promoted Galway side, who scored late on to claim their first Brandywell win since May 2015. It wasn’t a pretty performance and was compounded by a few big misses, meaning Derry faced the tall task of travelling to Shelbourne on Easter Monday.

 

That first half against Shelbourne was certainly an improvement. Higgins wanted a reaction from his players and seemed to get it. Will Patching and Pat Hoban both came close as Derry kept the pressure on Conor Kearns’ goal. It seemed like Shels were glad to get into half-time with the game scoreless, especially considering Damien Duff’s squad was supposedly floored by illness over the Easter weekend. Patching came close with a free kick early in the second half but City failed to fashion anything more than half chances before the full-time whistle came. A draw against a team in the form of Shels is certainly not a bad result, but a win could’ve done massive favours in Derry’s title hopes.

 

City now sit fourth in the table, level on points with Sligo Rovers in second - but that eight point gap to top seems to look even bigger with every glance. Shamrock Rovers have leapfrogged the Candystripes to go into third place, and also have a game-in-hand on their fellow challengers. Bohemians seem to be having something of a revival under Alan Reynolds and have won two of their three games since Declan Devine left. They’re currently sixth, two points behind Derry but also holding on to the luxury of a game in hand.

 

Dundalk haven’t won a league match this season and faced quite the rebuild coming into the new campaign. All-time leading scorer Pat Hoban joined Derry, alongside winger Dan Kelly. Greg Sloggett signed for Cheltenham Town, Nathan Shepperd left for Wycombe Wanderers and midfield duo Keith Ward and John Martin left for Shelbourne. Waterford snapped up Darragh Leahy and Robbie McCourt whilst Torino swooped for teenager Senan Mullen. Holding on to Archie Davies, who was courted by Shamrock Rovers in the off-season, and 20 year old winger Ryan O’Kane can be considered transfer market wins for the Lilywhites.

 

Dundalk brought in eleven new players ahead of 2024. Dara Keane impressed at UCD last year and was signed to bolster defensive options, as was Jamie Walker and Zak Johnson – brought in from Kelty Hearts and Sunderland respectively.  Dutch midfielder Koen Oostenbrink was signed from FC Eindhoven alongside Zak Bradshaw and Scott High, who were picked up on loans from Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town. Three strikers were brought in to try and replace the goals of Hoban; Robert Mahon from Motherwell, Ciaran McGuckin on loan from Rotherham United and Jamie Gullan from Raith Rovers. The latter is known for possessing a wicked free kick and gave the League of Ireland a taste of that when he fired one past Leon Pohls in Tallaght on the opening day.

 

The Lilywhites have only scored twice in the league this season, conceding eleven in their opening seven games. The only points they’ve picked up have been a 1-1 draw and two 0-0s and in March, they were dumped out of the Leinster Senior Cup by St. Mochta’s. Safe to say, Stephen O’Donnell is under pressure in the Oriel Park dugout. He needs wins to keep his job as much as Dundalk need them to get points on the board, so they’ll certainly come out fighting. They haven’t beaten Derry since the last day of the 2022 campaign - a 1-0 win in the Brandywell. Derry put eight goals past Dundalk in 2023 too, conceding three across the four games played by the two.

 

Both teams need points, Dundalk for survival and Derry to maintain any hopes of a title push. With a double header against Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic coming up in two weeks time, and Drogheda United away next week, these are the games that City really ought to be winning. Neither manager will be entirely comfortable at the minute, so expect an entertaining game as the two teams go attacking to get their season’s back on track.

 

Pól O’Hare – 3 April 2024

Double Preview: Derry City v. Galway United, Shelbourne v. Derry City

 

Double Preview: Derry City v. Galway United, Shelbourne v. Derry City

 

Derry City v. Galway United, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 7, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 29^th March 2024 kick-off 7.45pm

 

Shelbourne v. Derry City, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 8, Tolka Park, 1^st April 2024, kick-off 5pm

 

Derry City come into an Easter weekend double-header after Bohemians ended their unbeaten start to the season nearly two weeks ago. First up are newly promoted Galway United, who make their first voyage to the Brandywell in eight years and are coming off the back of a three game winless streak. Table-toppers Shelbourne play host to the Candystripes on Easter Monday and sit with a five point buffer on Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men in second. With Will Patching and Patrick McEleney both fit again after the international break, the City faithful will hope that the 2-1 defeat in Dalymount last time out will turn out to be a one off.

 

Ronan Boyce’s second goal of the season wasn’t enough to pull back a point for City, who went 2-0 down against Bohemians thanks to goals from Dayle Rooney and former Derry striker James Akintunde. Despite keeping the majority of the ball in Dalymount, Higgins will hope that his side translate the possession into chances going into the Easter period. It’s a Good Friday encounter against Galway United first, a side who haven’t played City since September 2017. The Tribesmen were the runaway winners of last season’s First Division, winning 30 of their 36 games and being crowned champions with a twenty-five point lead on second placed Waterford. Scoring 98 goals and conceding just 18 last year, Galway were always going to be an interesting prospect coming back into the Premier Division.

 

John Caulfield’s men are currently sat fifth in the table, picking up wins against Waterford and Dundalk so far this term. Three 1-0 losses to St. Pat’s, Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne show that, despite losing, Galway aren’t getting thrashed in the way that some may have expected a newly promoted team to do so. Their 4-0 win over Dundalk in last year’s FAI Cup quarter-final raised eyebrows and sent a message to the rest of the league that they meant business.

 

Galway United didn’t splash the cash in the transfer window. Despite early rumours that they were in for Galwegian striker Pat Hoban, who just happens to be the league’s top goal-scorer, Caulfield and Ollie Horgan prioritised keeping the quality that they had. Conor McCormack and Aodh Dervin have been stalwarts in the midfield, whilst striker Wassim Aouachria was tied down to a new deal. Keeping hold of David Hurley, who registered 22 goals and six assists from the midfield last term is perhaps Galway’s most impressive piece of business. League of Ireland experience was brought in with the signings of Garry Buckley and Karl O’Sullivan from Sligo Rovers. Leo Gaxha, who impressed for Kerry FC last year after signing from Sheffield United, joined to strengthen striker options whilst Patrick Hickey, Joe Wright and Jeannot Esua signed from Athlone Town, Millwall and Ekanas IF respectively. Wide midfielder Al-Amin Kazeem, who has made a raft of League Two appearances in the last couple of years, joined on-loan from Colchester United and already looks impressive.

 

It’s been eight years since Galway played in the Brandywell, and seven since they last played Derry away – back when the Candystripes played out of Buncrana’s Maginn Park in 2017. Galway’s captain Conor McCormack started for Derry City in that game back in 2016. The Tribesmen’s last away win against Derry came back in May 2015 but you have to go back to September 2009 to find Galway’s next most recent away win against City. In saying that, the Candystripes have won just twice of their last ten games in all competitions against Galway, going back to March 2015.

 

Three points against Galway United would be crucial in keeping pace with Monday’s opposition, Shelbourne. Damien Duff’s men are the only side unbeaten in the Premier Division this season and have won five of their last six games. They’re challenging more for the title this year than people may have expected but home victories over Galway United and Shamrock Rovers, and away wins against St. Pat’s, Sligo Rovers and Bohemians, show that they’re currently the team to beat in the country. Getting one over Shelbourne is getting more difficult too. They haven’t lost a league game since September of last year and haven’t lost to Derry since that March. That win for Derry back in March is the only time that the Candystripes have beaten Shels since the 4-0 2022 FAI Cup final victory, with three draws and three red cards seeing the honours shared across the rest of 2023’s encounters between these two.

 

After Hull City’s Turkish owner Acun Ilicali bought a stake in Shelbourne in June 2023, before terminating his ownership in November, it seemed that Shels might have been in for a rough patch. That wasn’t the case, however. Damien Duff’s contract was renewed shortly after Mickey O’Rourke of PremierSports ownership fame took over. Shelbourne’s financial backing wasn’t dented either. League of Ireland veterans Sean Gannon and Keith Ward came in, followed by Dean Williams and John O’Sullivan from Bohemians. John Martin was brought in from Dundalk whilst goalkeeper Lorcan Healy was signed to rival Conor Kearns.

Losing Jack Moylan, one of the standout performers in the league last year, to Lincoln City wasn’t ideal from a Shelbourne point of view but it seems like Will Jarvis has been the perfect replacement. The 21 year old Englishman spent the second half of last season on-loan at Tolka from Hull City before putting pen to paper on another loan deal for 2024. Four goals in six appearances, including both goals in a derby win over St. Pat’s, shows that he’s one of the division’s best players at the minute. The acquisition of Liam Burt from Shamrock Rovers, albeit on loan, certainly doesn’t seem to be bad business either.

 

Three wins and two draws from Derry City’s opening six is still a promising start. With Pat Hoban sitting at the top of the goalscoring charts after bagging six in six, the five point gap between first and second may not be as big as it seems. Best case scenario, City register two wins this weekend and Dundalk beat Shelbourne on Friday – meaning the Candystripes would be top this time next week. Easter hasn’t been the kindest to City in recent times though, losing both on Good Friday and Easter Monday last year. In fact, City’s last win on Easter weekend came with a 2-1 win over Finn Harps back in 2018. Four points out of Galway and Shels this weekend certainly wouldn’t be a bad return. I’ve also gotten to the end of this preview without making ANY April Fools jokes about Monday as they’ll probably come back to bite me.

Pól O'Hare - 28 March 2023

Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview

Bohemian FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 6, Dalymount Park, Friday 15^th March 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Pat Hoban's hat-trick against Waterford ensured that Derry City's unbeaten start to the season extended as they prepare to face a Bohemians side who play their first game without Declan Devine at the helm since October 2022. A front-post flick, overhead kick and penalty trio saw City's number nine raise his goal tally to six for the campaign already, making him the Division’s top scorer and meaning that he needs just two more goals to equal Jordan McEneff’s league goal tally of eight to match last year’s record. Bohemians, on the other hand, go into Friday’s fixture one Derry man down as Declan Devine's tenure came to an end following a 2-0 home defeat to table-toppers Shelbourne. Derek Pender and Trevor Crolly will be in charge for Bohs, who look for their second win of the season.

 

Hoban’s hattrick on Friday was the first competitive hattrick scored by a Derry City player since Declan Glass netted three in the first half of his City debut against Oliver Bond Celtic back in the First Round of the FAI Cup in July 2022. It also means that City are now joint top scorers in the league and joint top in terms of goal-difference. There were doubts from some quarters surrounding the signing of Pat Hoban prior to the season starting, but he's showing exactly why the club forked out €30,000 for his services. His partnership with Michael Duffy is a throwback to their Dundalk days and it seems that both are bringing out the best in each other. Duffy’s started the season in fine form himself too, playing a role in two goals already this campaign.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins and his players really deserve credit for the manner in which they’ve started the season, especially when considering how unfortunate their injury record has been. Sadou Diallo was injured in preseason whilst Mark Connolly, Patrick McEleney, Cameron Dummigan, Will Patching, Michael Duffy and Adam O’Reilly have all suffered knocks already. Dummigan and Patching are still out, whilst Connolly, Duffy and O’Reilly all came off with injuries against Waterford last weekend. As it stands, it seems like Jordan McEneff is the only 100% fit midfielder. The City management staff will see it as a mini-win if they come away from Dalymount without further injury woes.

 

Bohemians have been on the receiving end of some injuries to key players themselves already too. Keith Buckley suffered an ACL tear just before the FAI Cup final last November whilst January signing Rob Cornwall, who rejoined the club after two years in America, came down with the same injury just half an hour into the opening game of the campaign. Although back training with the team, goalkeeper James Talbot has commendably taken some time away from football in order to focus on his mental health.

 

They may have left it late but the Gypsies did add in numbers across the January transfer window. The sale of Jonathan Afolabi, who scored fifteen league goals last season and received a senior Ireland call-up, for around €200,000 to Belgian side KV Kortrijk left a sizable gap in the forward line. He has scored once in Belgium so far –  equalising in a 3-3 draw away to Club Brugge. The moves of John O’Sullivan and Dean Williams to Shelbourne, Kris Twardek to Atletico Ottawa and Ali Coote to Detroit City left Bohemians light in squad-depth at the top end of the pitch. The losses of Kacper Radkowski and Krystian Nowak also left the Phibsborough side with a serious amount of business to be done. Dayle Rooney, who impressed at Drogheda United last year, was signed on a two-year contract to give options on the wing. Strikers Sten Reinkort and Filip Piszczek were brought in from Flora Tallinn and FC Imabari to replace Afolabi, whilst Kacper Chorazka signed from ASIL Lysi to provide goalkeeping options. He has started every game this season, keeping a clean sheet against St. Pat’s.

 

Bohemian’s raid on Flora Tallinn continued further as the club brought in Estonian internationals Martin Miller and Michael Lilander. Brian McManus was signed from Shelbourne whilst full-back Luke Matheson, who scored against Manchester United for Rochdale when he was just sixteen, was signed on loan from Bolton Wanderers. Jevon Mills and Aboubacar Keita were also captured on loan deals from Hull City and Colorado Rapids. The signing of highly rated centre back Divin Isamala from St. Francis capped Bohs’ transfer activity.

Derek Pender's men have only scored four all season, three of which have come from midfielders James Clarke and Jordan Flores, showing that it will take time for the club’s new signings to gel and replicate Afolabi’s goalscoring prowess. Clarke, however, was one Bohs’ standout performers last campaign, scoring five and assisting four from centre midfield. He opened the scoring against Derry City down in Dalymount last August too. Sten Reinkort bagged a debut goal against Sligo Rovers but hasn’t yet contributed to another goal. Bohemians are rumoured to be courting former Ireland and Derry City manager Stephen Kenny to come in as manager on a permanent basis - a signing which would be a massive coup. The Dubliner won the Premier Division with the club back in 2003. 

 

It was pretty much honour’s even in this fixture last year. Both Derry City and Bohemians beat each other 1-0 away from home whilst drawing 0-0 and 2-2 in the other two fixtures. You’d have to go back to Derry’s 4-1 win in Dalymount Park in February 2017 to find the last time that this fixture ended with a deficit of more than two goals too. 3-3 and 2-2 draws in the last three seasons, alongside a 3-2 Derry City win, shows that there is potential for fireworks in the tie though. A win for City on Friday would be their fifth win in their last seven Phibsborough outings and would put the Candystripes top if Shelbourne fail to beat St. Pat’s in Inchicore. Another three points, or at least a continuation of their unbeaten run, would be ideal going into the international break.

 

Pól O'Hare - 13 March 2024

Match Preview: Derry City v Waterford

 

Match Preview: Derry City v Waterford

 

Derry City FC v. Waterford FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 5, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 8^th March 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City’s unbeaten start to the season has continued after a tough weekend double-header, where they defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday and won a point away to Shamrock Rovers on Monday. The Candystripes now gear up to face Waterford on Friday, a team they haven’t come up against since November 2021. The visitors haven’t taken long to get into the swing of Premier Division action after a two season absence, picking up seven points from their first four games and coming off the back of a 3-1 home win over St. Pat’s.

 

Good teams scrape wins when they aren’t playing well and that was certainly the case for Derry City against St. Pat’s on Friday. The away team came to the Brandywell with a new look squad and investment across the pitch, setting up with a tough-to-break-down back five. City couldn’t get the ball to stick and it was the end of the first half before they got any sort of momentum. Ruairi Keating firing past Brian Maher just two minutes into the second half didn’t help things either. The introductions of Scottish duo Paul McMullan and Danny Mullen changed the game though. After a Pat Hoban header got Derry level on the 65^th, Mullen stylishly stabbed the ball into the top corner from a Michael Duffy cross on the 92^nd minute – clinching a huge three points for the Candystripes.

 

Hoban and Mullen got in on the act again in Tallaght on Monday night. After Darragh Burns slid the ball under Brian Maher to put Shamrock Rovers ahead, Pat Hoban converted a Derry spot-kick to level the game. Mullen, once again introduced from the bench, bundled in a Paul McMullan corner to give City a 2-1 away lead. A 92^nd minute header from Estonian international Markus Poom shared the spoils, but a point away against the four-in-a-row champions in dreadful conditions certainly isn’t a negative result.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ injury woes have, however, only increased after the weekend. Will Patching, who assisted Hoban’s goal on Friday, pulled up in the warmup in Tallaght and subsequently had to watch the game from the stands. It’s unknown how serious the former Manchester City midfielder’s injury is but the City faithful will be hoping it’s not long-term by any means. This leaves Jordan McEneff and Adam O’Reilly, who both played well over the weekend, as City’ s only two fit senior midfielders. Sadou Diallo still faces some weeks on the side-lines and Cameron Dummigan’s injury severity hasn’t yet been revealed. On a more positive note, Patrick McEleney’s injury wasn’t as bad as first feared and Ciaron Harkin played his first football in two years when he lined out for the U20s last weekend.

 

Waterford were something of an unknown quantity coming into the Premier Division this season. In 2021, their Last season in the top flight, the Blues lost out to UCD in the promotion/relegation a play-off. Another painful defeat against UCD in the 2022 play-offs, in which Waterford missed a 93^rd minute penalty in Inchicore, saw the Students stay in the Premier Division for 2023. In all honesty though, it really should have been Waterford in the top flight that year – UCD finished the season with just 11 points and a goal difference of -77. Waterford and Galway United definitely had the quality to complete with the big boys last year too, finishing the First Division ten and thirty-five points ahead of third placed Cobh Ramblers. Galway’s season was an anomaly, as they breezed the league, losing just twice all year and winning thirty of their thirty-six games. Any other year and Waterford would have been automatically promoted, scoring 84 goals on their way to clinching second place. They triumphed over Munster rivals Cork City in the play-off, beating the Rebels 2-1 in Tallaght to go back up to the Premier Division.

 

The issue with having a fantastic season in the First Division, and having a ‘sister’ club in the English Football League, is that your best talent will inevitably be poached. If you look at Waterford’s stand out player in each of the last couple of years you will notice that they have been snapped up by Fleetwood Town, the team whom they share owners with. Phoenix Patterson, Junior Quitirina and more recently Ronan Coughlan all joined the League One side, staving off competition from Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and sides across the Irish Sea. It’s hard to know what sort of fees Waterford demanded, seeing that they share the same owner and have benefited massively from loan signings of players on Fleetwood’s books. The English club have clearly seen the value in the underappreciated and undervalued Irish market in recent times, Fleetwood signed our own Ryan Graydon for around £125,000 last summer. Promising (pardon the pun) Bohemians winger Promise Omochere was snapped up for an undisclosed fee, as was Cork City keeper David Harrington. At least these players are being given a platform to showcase their talents in England though.

 

Back to Waterford though, Blues manager Keith Long was faced with the task of replacing Ronan Coughlan. The striker, who has been linked with Derry in the past, never really lit up the League of Ireland during spells with Bray Wanderers and Cork City, although he did find goalscoring form at Sligo Rovers before joining St. Pat’s. A move to Waterford preceded the 2023 season and Coughlan really turned on his form. 37 goals in 35 games in all competitions saw him sign for Fleetwood Town, unsurprisingly. Roland Idowu, who bagged fourteen goals across two years at Waterford, left for Shrewsbury Town too. Killian Cantwell and Shane Griffin left for Bray Wanderers whilst Thomas Oluwa, Liam Kervick and Harry Nevin moved to Wexford, Cobh Ramblers and Cork City respectively.

 

Losing your main goal threat after winning promotion is never ideal, but the signing of Pádraig Amond, who comes with a wealth of experience playing in England, is seeming to have been the perfect option. Starting out with Shamrock Rovers, before playing for Sligo Rovers and in Portugal with Pacos de Ferreira, Amond has a history of scoring wherever he’s gone in the English football pyramid. Known for bagging FA Cup goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Manchester City, the 35 year old is currently pipping Pat Hoban to the Premier Division top scorer position with four goals in four games so far at Waterford. He’ll certainly be a threat on Friday night.

 

The signings of Robbie McCourt, Darragh Leahy and Ben McCormack bring tested Premier Division experience - Leahy has already chipped in with two goals from left-back. Centre back Kacper Radkowski, who played for Bohemians last year, was signed permanently from Slask Wroclaw. Kacper Skwiercynzski joined on loan from Ruch Chorzow as did Maleace Asamoah, Harvey MacAdam and Barry Baggley - all from Fleetwood Town. The latter has recently been nominated for the Player of the Month Award for February alongside Derry’s Mark Connolly. The signing of Grant Horton from Cheltenham Town also proves that Waterford are willing to splash their cash on proven Premier Division talent in a bid to consolidate their top flight status come November.

 

Defensive midfielder Rowan McDonald spent time on trial at Derry City before joining Waterford last year. Conor Parsons is one to watch too having scored a brilliant goal in the play-off final and contributed to more throughout the First Division campaign. Ireland U19 international Romeo Akachukwu, the 17 year old midfielder who netted a hat-trick against Athlone Town last year, will sign for Southampton when the July window opens. Waterford will be substantially rewarded for his promise too, with the fee believed to start at €375,000 rising to €0.5m with add-ons.

 

Waterford are the Premier Division’s current top goal-scorers with nine in four games this term. Amond has four and Leahy as two, as I’ve mentioned, but loanee Maleace Asamoah has also found the net on two occasions whilst Niall O’Keefe netted in Waterford’s 4-1 away win over Drogheda United in matchday two. There have been two or more goals in thirteen of the last fifteen league meetings between Derry and Waterford, going back to February 2018, meaning that there is a history of fireworks in this tie. The Candystripes have also won seven of the last nine encounters between these two in the Brandywell in all competitions. Derry’s 4-2 win against Waterford in the League Cup semi-final in 2019, in which David Parkhouse scored all four, is another which sticks out in the memory. 
The goalscoring form of both club’s forward players hints at yet another plentiful encounter in terms of the goal tally. Both teams are in form and will want to keep momentum going, so this one could be an interesting one to keep an eye on. Expect good strikers and, hopefully, something of an end-to-end game.

Pól O'Hare - 6th March 2024