FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City: Match Preview

 

FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City: Match Preview

FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City FC, UEFA Conference League Qualifying Round 1 First-Leg, Europa Point Stadium (Gibraltar), Thursday 11^th July 2024, kick-off 6pm local time (5pm Irish)

 

It’s that time of the year again. Derry City aim to get their European campaign for 2024 off to a positive start as they encounter opposition from Gibraltar for the first time. The Candsytripes face FC Bruno’s Magpies, a team formed in 2013 who have never progressed past the first round of qualifying – and have only ever travelled to Ireland on their European trips. Boyed on by last year’s successes, when Derry City were a penalty kick away from reaching the Group Stage Play-offs, Ruaidhrí Higgins men will be hoping to progress past Magpies knowing that two legs against Danish giants FC Copenhagen lie in wait for the victor.

Last time out – Sligo Rovers 2-1 Derry City:

Derry City’s run of four wins on the bounce came to an abrupt end in the Sligo Showgrounds last Thursday, as English midfielder Ellis Chapman netted twice to see the home side come from 1-0 down to maintain their three year unbeaten home record against Derry City. The Candystripes kept most of the possession in the first half but failed to capitalise on a couple of golden opportunities, namely when Dan Kelly’s ball across the face of the box was missed by the oncoming Paul McMullan and Pat Hoban’s overhead kick crept past the post on the half-time mark.

Those three linked up again ten minutes into the second half, when Kelly’s ball into the box was dummied by Pat Hoban and fell to the feet of McMullan. The Scottish winger had time and space to curl the ball delicately into Ed McGinty’s top corner. It was advantage Derry City early in the second half.

The away team then seemed to lose their grasp on the game as Sligo Rovers mounted pressure on the City defence. Just five minutes after the deadlock was broken, former City midfielder Will Fitzgerald burst into the Derry box before Sadou Diallo’s mistimed tackle brought him to the ground. It was a stonewall penalty, and one which Ellis Chapman calmly slotted past Brian Maher.

City couldn’t find another decisive goal, and when Chapman picked the ball up inside his own half and had acres of space to run into it seemed like City were in trouble. The 23 year old Englishman left Shane McEleney for dead before evading the challenge of Mark Connolly to poke past Brian Maher with just 90 seconds remaining. Despite going down to ten men when JR Wilson was sent off for arguing with the referee, Sligo Rovers clung on and had Ed McGinty to thank for denying Pat Hoban inside the box in injury time. It was a tough way to lose, but no-one could fault Sligo Rovers’ efforts in turning the game round in the second half.

 

Derry City:

Derry City’s defensive frailties in the absence of Cameron McJannet came to light against Sligo. City conceded just 24 goals during the entirety of the 2023 Premier Division campaign, but have conceded 22 already this year, with 11 games remaining. Ruaidhrí Higgins will surely have defensive signings high on his wish-list before the window closes. There always seems to be a bit of noise surrounding potential transfers in the League of Ireland, but Derry’s surprise signing of Jacob Davenport last month hints that Higgins may be keeping his cards close to his chest this time round. In that sense, it wouldn’t surprise me if a centre back was signed pretty much out of the blue in the next week or so. Rob Slevin, who I mentioned would be a good McJannet replacement two weeks ago, found himself on the scoresheet for Galway United last weekend as he scored the equaliser against Bohemians – something which may add a few Euro onto his price tag.

It isn’t all doom and gloom though. Thursday’s performance wasn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination and we played well going forward in the first half. In saying that, the defensive issues this season are a slight concern – especially considering how solid we have been under Higgins over the past few years. We can count ourselves lucky that nine man Shelbourne couldn’t get the better of Drogheda though, as the Louth side held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw. Shels do have the luxury of a game in hand, so realistically it’s their league to lose. Derry City don’t play another league game until early August and, of course, it’s away to Shelbourne. Win that and we go top on goal difference, lost that and Shels go six clear with a game in hand. It could be a title decider that tests the resolve of the Derry players, who may very well play four European games and an FAI Cup match against St Pat’s between now and then. I don’t know about you, but I’ll probably be hiding behind the TV for most of that Shelbourne match.

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men haven’t been hit with any more injury blows going into the Magpies game. Jordan McEneff and Patrick McEleney will be out for a good while longer, whilst Jacob Davenport wasn’t included in the squad to face Sligo Rovers – likely due to fitness issues as he’s just come off the back of a League Two season where he made 26 appearances. The former England U18 international could be a welcomed addition to the midfield in the next few weeks. Colm Whelan got another ten minutes or so in the tank against Sligo last week, whilst Michael Duffy and Danny Mullen were both introduced in the 74^th minute. Glenn McCourt was brought into the senior squad for the first time as a substitute in Sligo.

City in Europe:

I’ll take any excuse I can get to talk about Derry City’s European escapades and, seeing that my preview of the KuPS game last year was my first preview, this feels like a full circle sort of moment. Last year’s European journey was the joint furthest we’ve progressed in European qualification. Back in 2006, the Candystripes toppled IFK Göteborg home and away before overcoming Scottish side Gretna 7-3 on aggregate to face Paris Saint-Germain in the First Round of the UEFA Cup. After a draw in the Brandywell, Les Parisiens beat City 2-0 in the French capital to progress to the group stages proper. After finishing second in their group, then of five teams, PSG beat AEK Athens 4-0 in the Round of 32 before losing to Benfica in the Round of 16 – not bad company.

2006 and 2023 are the only two times that Derry City have won two stages of European qualification, the next closest we went was in 2009, when we began in the Second Round of Europa League qualifying. After beating Skonto Riga 2-1, the Candystripes lost to CSKA Sofia in the Third Round. Following a 1-0 victory over HB Tórshavn in the UEFA Europa Conference League First Round last year, City came from behind to beat Kuopion Palloseura 2-1 in the Brandywell before drawing 3-3 out in Finland – coming home with a 4-3 aggregate win. Kazakhstani side Tobol Kostanay, whose General Director Andrei Kanchelskis applied for the Derry City manager’s job in 2015 (alongside playing for Manchester United and Everton), lay in wait. Kanchelskis thought Dublin was in Britain too but we’ll say nothing about that. Tobol had beaten Swiss giants Basel in the Second Round and had substantial financial backing, but had never qualified for the group stage. After a 1-0 loss in Kazakhstan, Will Patching drew City level on aggregate with a penalty in the second leg. Despite coming desperately close through Cian Kavanagh late on, Tobol won on penalties to progress to the Play-off stage before being beaten 5-1 by Viktoria Plzeň. Unlucky lads.

Derry City have never faced Gibraltarian opposition in European qualifying, meaning Bruno’s Magpies will represent the 22^nd different nation the Candystripes have faced in Europe. From Aberystwyth to Riga, and Minsk to Lisbon, City have done their fair share of travelling across the years. Our European adventures began back in 1964-65 when Steaua Bucharest beat the Candystripes 5-0 across two legs. An 8-6 win over Lyn Olso a year later was Derry City’s first European victory. Some ties have brought goals – and lots of them. City beat Aberystwyth Town 9-0 in 2014, with Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney both scoring. I can’t mention goals and not mention the 10-2 aggregate loss to Midtjylland in 2017, the 9-0 loss to Anderlecht in 1965 and the 6-1 loss to Benfica in 1989, though.

The 7-3 win over Gretna is another particular highlight, whilst we’ve faced some of Europe’s elite in the past 60 years. Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Vitesse Arnhem, Anderlecht, Trabzonspor and Midtjylland spring to mind, whilst the felling of IFK Göteborg was a giant-killing for the books. Should Derry City beat Bruno’s Magpies over the next eight days, we can add FC Copenhagen to that list – a side who beat Manchester United and Galatasaray, and drew with Bayern Munich, on their way to facing Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season. Glamorous enough for the Conference League Second Round anyway…

 

FC Bruno’s Magpies:

Formed in 2013 by Englishman Louis Perry who, with 500 quid, decided to set up a football team from his grandparent’s bar and restaurant. By 2017, they were in the play-offs to get into the Gibraltar Premier Division under the tutelage of former Gibraltar assistant manager Davie Wilson. By the time May 2019 came round, Bruno’s Magpies had won the Second Division title alongside the Second Division Cup. By 2021-22, Magpies had secured qualification to UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying by finishing runners-up in the Rock Cup.

First up for Magpies was a trip to Belfast to face Crusaders in the First Round in July 2022. They almost made it past Crues too – going 2-0 up just after halftime and winning the first leg 2-1 at home before conceding in the 93^rd minute to lose 3-1 in Seaview. Former Derry City midfielder Philip Lowry started both legs for Crusaders. Heartbreak for Nathan Rooney’s men, but not a bad start to European life at all.

After finishing third in the league and winning the Rock Cup in 2022-23, Bruno’s Magpies found themselves back in the First Round of the Conference League. Back, again, to Ireland for the team in black and white. They were met by another team wearing black and white – Dundalk FC, who were in the Europa League group stages less than three years prior. Magpies held Dundalk to a goalless draw in the Gibraltar heat, before falling to a 3-1 loss in Oriel Park a week later. The League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer, our very own Pat Hoban, opened the scoring that night, whilst Dan Kelly started on the wing.

Bruno’s Magpies may only be eleven years old, but they’ve bagged four pieces of silverware, all since 2019. It began with the Second Division Cup in 2018-19, when Magpies went unbeaten to top their group by four points before beating Olympique 13 2-1 in the final. Two years later, they added the GFA Challenge Cup to their collection. Magpies finally got their hands on the Rock Cup in 2022-23, beating Lincoln Red Imps on penalties in the final. They also managed to bag the Pepe Reyes Cup that year, a one-off match contested by the Rock Cup and League winners, when they again beat Lincoln Red Imps 1-0.

Who's who?:

32 time Gibraltar international goalkeeper Dayle Coleing has recently joined Bruno’s Magpies after a second spell at Lincoln Red Imps. The 27 year old, who spent two years at Glentoran between 2020 and 2022 when they triggered his £50,000 release clause, has won both the League and Rock Cup on four occasions each – making him one of the most decorated players in the Magpies squad. Welsh defender Ashton Taylor – who has made over 500 senior appearances across League One, League Two and the Scottish Premiership has also been announced as a new signing, adding yet another head in an experienced defence. Centre back and captain Francisco Zúñiga could make his 100^th appearance at the club this season and spent time in the youth ranks at Mexican giants Pachuca.

Midfielder Álex Carrascal is a summer signing from Racing Cartagena in the Spanish fourth tier after coming through the youth systems of Sevilla and Real Valladolid. Another former Sevilla youngster is fellow new signing Cristian Orihuela, who signed from Europa FC. He played at Xerez CD in the Spanish fifth tier for a year between 2020 and 2021 – a team who were in LaLiga as recently as 2010.

30 year old number 8 Carlos García made 5 caps for Spain’s U20s and is certainly one to keep an eye on in the midfield. He was part of the Real Betis side which won the Segunda Division in 2014-15 and made a single appearance in LaLiga before leaving in 2016. García spent time at Juventud Torremolinos before moving to Gibraltar last year. Attacking midfielder Anthony Hernandez has 44 senior caps for Gibraltar and has scored more than 50 goals from the centre of the park since leaving Cadiz to sign for Manchester 62 in Gibraltar in 2014. Watch out for the pace of English winger Olatunde Bayode, once of Burnley, on the flank.

English striker Jack Storer made senior appearances for Birmingham City, Yeovil Town and Partick Thistle before signing for Bruno’s Magpies in 2023. One of those Thistle appearances was a start in a 3-1 defeat against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup in 2018, whilst he also scored the opener in a win over Greenock Morton in the same competition that year. Veteran Brazilian forward Edu Salles has had a journeyed career since leaving Brazilian side Atlético Paranaense in 2009, which has seen him enjoy stints in Georgia, Lithuania, Bolivia, England and Spain before joining Magpies this summer. The most intriguing of those moves surely being a four month spell at Derby County’s U21s as a 24 year old in 2014, sandwiched between spells at Concórdia in Brazil and Sport Boys in Bolivia.

The More You Know:

Former English figure skater, and former chairman of Watford alongside Elton John, Haig Oundijan has been the joint-chairman of Bruno’s Magpies since 2019. Now 75, Oundijan won bronze in the 1971 European Figure Skating Championships in Zürich and competed at the Winter Olympics in 1968 and 1972. During his time at Watford, the club reached the First Division (now Premier League) in 1981-82, after winning the Fourth Division just four years prior.

Former Derry City midfielder Aaron Splaine spent two years playing in Gibraltar after leaving the Candystripes at the end of the 2018 season. He signed for Europa Point in August 2019 before signing for Bruno’s Magpies ahead of the 2020 season, where he made 7 appearances. The Scotsman, who was born in Malaga, won the EA Sports Cup at the Brandywell in 2018 as he played 17 times and scored on his debut.

New goalkeeper Dale Coleing is Gibraltar’s number one goalkeeper at the minute. The 27 year old was between the sticks when France put 14 past his side in Nice last November. Midfielder Evan de Haro also started in the centre of the park. Kylian Mbappé bagged a hat-trick, whilst Kingsley Coman and Olivier Giroud both bagged braces. I wouldn’t have fancied facing that attack anyway. A month prior, he started in Gibraltar’s 4-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. Bruno’s Magpies’ Anthony Hernandez was an unused sub against the boys in green, whilst Evan de Haro replaced Roy Alan Chipolina in the second half. Midfielder Kevagn Ronco was on the bench against the French too. Coleing also started for Lincoln Red Imps against Tobol Kostanay in the Second Round of Conference League qualifying back in July 2022.

Round Up:

European matches always bring a buzz around the place and Derry City fans will fancy their chances. The side from Gibraltar were knocked out by Dundalk last year and Crusaders the year before that. They won just one of their last five matches in the league, losing three and drawing the other one 0-0. There’s always the aspect of the unknown going into a European game, and it’s forecast to be 30C when the game kicks off at 6pm on Thursday. In that heat, and with very little shelter, the travelling City players and fans alike will need to bring the factor 50.

Preserving energy will be a necessity as Magpies play in this heat week in, week out. Dundalk and Crusaders both seemed to struggle in their legs in Gibraltar in the past few years, as Dundalk drew 0-0 and Crusaders lost 2-1 in the away legs. The target for City will surely be to get a good result away from home before being able to play with a bit more comfort back at the Brandywell. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the win over HB Tórshavn, the scenes when we beat KuPS and the atmosphere we brought to Tallaght to face Tobol Kostanay. Good times, hopefully, ahead on the European front for City. PS: Please don’t lose as I’ve already booked flights to Copenhagen…

 

Pól O'Hare - 9th July 2024

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview

Coming off the back of their biggest win of the season, Derry City travel to Sligo on Thursday to face a Bit’O’Red side who beat Shamrock Rovers 2-0 last weekend. City’s five goal demolition of Drogheda United saw five different scorers on the scoresheet and ensured that the Candystripes keep the pressure on leaders Shelbourne in the race for the title. Colm Whelan returned to the Derry squad for the first time since May 2023 following a second ACL injury in as many years, whilst Daniel Kelly netted his first goal for the club since moving from Dundalk in the off-season.

 

Last time – Derry City 5-1 Drogheda United:

Derry City returned from the summer break a rejuvenated side, sweeping their Louth opposition to the side on their way to scoring five in a League of Ireland match for the first time September last year. It was a front-foot performance right from the beginning as Cameron Dummigan’s drive into the top corner from range opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after just six minutes. The visitors equalised twenty minutes later through former Finn Harps forward Adam Foley who, after giving the good old ear-cupping celebration to the City fans, found himself hauling Mark Connolly to the ground in his own box just three minutes later to give away a penalty. Red faced, the 34 year old received a yellow card before watching Will Patching pass the ball into the bottom corner. Life comes at you fast.

City added to the scoresheet again twelve minutes after half-time when Dan Kelly latched onto Pat Hoban’s looping ball down the line to lift it over Andrew Wogan and into the roof of the net to open his account in red and white. Kelly turned provider less than ten minutes later, pulling the ball back for Hoban who expertly finished low to put the game to bed. Frantz Pierrot managed to get his marching orders from Rob Harvey in between the two goals when his elbow caught Mark Connolly in the chin, before getting more marching orders from a young fan in the Mark Farren stand who had brought his own red card with him – fair played.

On the 77^th minute mark former Ireland U21 striker Colm Whelan replaced Will Patching, who had another controlling performance in the midfield himself, to appear in a professional game for the first time since coming off injured against Shamrock Rovers in early May of last year. On the eve of his 24^th birthday, the forward would have been delighted to get back on the pitch after back-to-back ACL set backs saw him feature in just three games between May 2022 and last Friday. He played a bit deeper than he usually did, but with the game already in the bag, it was a perfect opportunity to get some minutes in the tank.

Two minutes from time, and just three minutes after coming on as a sub, Ciaran Coll diverted Paul McMullan’s corner into the net to bag his first goal in 15 months, and ensure than Derry City have scored seven more league goals this season than any other club in the division.  

 

Derry City:

Last Friday’s performance was a comprehensive win and a very satisfying one for players, staff and fans alike. It feels like it was ages ago that there was so much negativity around bad performances earlier in the season, but coming into the European games firing on all cylinders and two points from top, Ruaidhrí Higgins and his team have everyone back on-side again. I think it’s fair to say that, in the last month or so, we’ve seen some of the best and most confident football of the Higgins era. Twelve goals scored and just two conceded in the last four games says it all. 

Everyone to a man was brilliant last Friday, but Cameron Dummigan has been a class above since coming back into the team as a right back in recent weeks. That two year contract extension is looking like better business with every passing match as the Lurgan man’s ability to carry the ball from right back into the midfield has given Derry an extra dimension going forward. It’s hard to oust Ronan Boyce out of that team, but Dummigan has more than justified his inclusion recently. He’s essentially a fourth midfielder on the pitch who just happens to be really good at full back, leaving the midfield trio of Patching, Diallo and O’Reilly freedom to control play from the middle of the park. Patching, in particular, seems to be reaping the rewards off that as he’s covering more ground than ever and making smart runs from the midfield into forward positions. Meanwhile, forward Sean Patton has joined Finn Harps on loan until the end of the campaign after being awarded with a new contract at the Brandywell.

Pat Hoban’s back out on his own as the league’s top scorer, now with 12 goals in 21 games, Paul McMullan’s up to joint third in the assist charts with 4 and Will Patching has maintained his 100% record from the spot this season. It would be handy if Shelbourne could stop winning, but with 12 league games left for Derry, who sit ten points ahead of Waterford in third, it seems like it’ll be a two-horse race right to the finish line this season. The finish line, of course, being Derry City v Shelbourne on the last game of the season in November. The league title will likely be lifted in the Brandywell that night, but time will tell which of the two sides it’ll be. We’re gearing up to have one of the best title races in years in the lead up to it, anyone nervous yet?

 

Sligo Rovers:

Sitting seventh in the table, Sligo Rovers have won seven, drawn seven and lost eight, with a two game in hand buffer keeping them clear nine points clear of the relegation zone. After losing just one of their first seven games, Rovers went on to lose four of their next six, undoing the good work from the early part of the season to leave them languishing in the bottom half. Now sitting just four points behind Shamrock Rovers in fourth place, good business in the summer and a decent second half of the campaign could see them on their way to a mid-table finish – a notable upgrade on last year’s eighth placed finish.

The Bit’O’Red come into the game against Derry on Thursday a confident side, as they defeated four-in-a-row champions Shamrock Rovers 2-0 last weekend. A second half double from former Hoop Simon Power meant that Sligo shook off a run of two defeats in their previous two – one coming in the form of a 4-1 loss in Waterford. That win against Shamrock Rovers was their first in the Showgrounds against the Tallaght side since May 2019, and has all but excluded the champions from a race for the title this year.

Sligo keeper Ed McGinty has been their best player this year by far, starting all 22 of their games and keeping eight clean sheets in a defence which has let in 27 goals – the third most in the division. It was announced on Monday that the 24 year old’s loan deal from Oxford United was extended until the end of the season in a deal which be seen as Rovers' best business of the summer. More good news came in the form of Ollie Denham’s loan move from Cardiff City being made permanent, whilst former Derry City and Bohemians winger Stephen Mallon signed for Sligo after winning the Irish Cup with Cliftonville. The 25 year old netted on his Derry City debut in 2020 and will add pace to the Sligo wings.

Rovers’ loan situation has left them with a decidedly thinner squad going into the second half of the season. Max Mata, who scored four goals and assisted three this season, has recently joined Auckland FC on loan from Shrewsbury Town after spending the first half of the season in Connacht. German winger Fabrice Hartmann, who spent the past 18 months on loan in Sligo from RB Leipzig, has rejoined the German side who finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season. The 23 year old’s flair on the right wing has offered something different for Mark Russell's side. He also found four goals and made four assists this term, meaning that Sligo’s top two goal-scorers and two most creative players this season are no longer at the club. Between the two of them they created 15 of Sligo’s 23 goals (65.2%). They’ll now be relying heavily on former Galway United forward Wilson Waweru and Faroese striker Stefan Radosavljevic, who have two goals between them this term, for a bit more joy in front of goal. Dutch forward Rein Smit has also recently returned home to the Netherlands for personal reasons.

 

Round-up:

Derry City know that they really need to be winning every game from here until November as Shelbourne’s game-in-hand means they have a one game buffer that the Candystripes aren’t afforded. The league leaders face Drogheda United on Thursday, with a win against the Louth team looking highly likely when you compare the two sides’ recent form. 
Sligo Rovers have been something of a bogey side for Derry City of late. The Candystripes have beaten Sligo just twice in the last ten league encounters between the two, with Rovers winning three and the other five being draws. The previous two fixtures between the two this season have been 0-0 and 2-2 draws, meaning that Derry haven’t won in the Showgrounds since August 2021 when Joe Thomson and Ronan Boyce got on the scoresheet.

It’s a double header against FC Bruno’s Magpies in the UEFA Conference League for Derry City after this match against Sligo Rovers. A win on Thursday would be the Candystripes’ fifth in a row – a perfect run of form when coming into European and cup games. It’s the last league game for Higgins’ men until August, and a win to break the recent tough run of form against Sligo would set City up nicely going into the business end of the season.

 Pól O'Hare - 3rd July 2024

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v Drogheda United FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 22, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 28^th June 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

With the summer break now over, and the season passed its midway point, Derry City find themselves second in the Premier Division, two points behind table-topping Shelbourne. After bidding farewell to English defender Cameron McJannet, City’s vice-captain and one of the longest serving players in the squad, the Candystripes announced the signing of former Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jacob Davenport from Morecambe. The transfer window officially opens on July 1^st, and with several Derry players now into the last six months of their contact, it’s building up to be a busy one for Ruaidhrí Higgins and his staff. After also learning their fate in European qualification, Higgins will want his men to continue their five game unbeaten streak.

Last time out:

The Candystripes faced a tricky Thursday night away trip to Dalymount Park two weeks ago where they faced a Bohemians side who had won just one of their previous seven. Despite the heavy rain in the north earlier in the day, blue skies met the City faithful as they arrived in Phibsborough. The home side began the game the brighter side, despite a headed attempt from Michael Duffy coming back off the post after seven minutes. Just before the fifteen minute mark, pressure on the City goal resulted in a penalty when Sadou Diallo fouled Dayle Rooney in the box. Jordan Flores’ spot kick was saved by Brian Maher – the goalkeeper’s third penalty save of the year – but Danny Grant was on hand to sweep in the rebound and give the home side an early advantage.

City responded immediately, as Diallo turned from villain to hero when he diverted Will Patching’s cross into the Bohemian net. The scores now level again after seventeen minutes. The away side were the better team from then on in, striking the woodwork four times in all during the 90. Cameron McJannet, Dan Kelly and Danny Mullen were introduced in the second half in an attempt to snatch all three points, and that’s exactly what happened. City had a few chances go begging late in the second half and as the clock turned over to 94, Brian Maher’s punt forward was knocked on to Danny Mullen by Cameron McJannet. The Scottish striker arrowed it into the bottom corner to bag his second stoppage time winner of the season, and meant that Cameron McJannet assisted the winner on his last Derry City appearance to send the travelling support home happy.

 

Derry City:

It’s only been two weeks since we’ve last seen City play but it feels like it could have been a month. Prior to the Bohemians game, there were rumblings that Grimsby Town were interested in Cameron McJannet and, after seeing the 25 year old’s celebrations following Danny Mullen’s winner, it all but confirmed that that could have been his last involvement as a Derry City player. About a week later, his transfer to the League Two side was confirmed. Assisting a 94^th minute winner wasn’t a bad parting gift from the centre back, who made 142 appearances in red and white, with his highlight at the club coming as he scored twice and won Man of the Match in the 2022 FAI Cup Final. McJannet, who was signed from Stoke City in the summer of 2020, became a mainstay on the left-side of defence almost instantly as he grew into one of the league’s best defenders. Captaining the Candsytripes on over 50 occasions, the Englishman seemed to really take to the club and to the city as he showed unquestionable passion for the badge across his four years at the Brandywell. His boots will be big ones to fill, especially considering the value that a good left-sided centre back brings to a squad.

I’d personally have Galway United’s Rob Slevin high up on the McJannet replacement list if I was Ruaidhrí Higgins. The former Finn Harps and Cork City defender has been integral to Galway’s defence, keeping nine clean sheets in eighteen appearances. The Tribesemen have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just thirteen goals in twenty games. Turning 26 in August, City would be getting a defender approaching his prime, but will likely need to spend big to secure his signature. Galway aren’t short of a few Euro and will want to keep one of their standout performers. Reputable stats website Transfermarkt values Slevin at €75k, but with a contract expiring at the end of the season, Galway may accept a discounted fee as to not lose the Cork native on a free come November.

It’s hard to value League of Ireland players, as most inter-club deals within Ireland are free transfers and foreign clubs seem to sign players from the Premier and First Divisions at significantly lower prices than what they would be worth in the likes of England, for example. Danny Mandriou’s move to Lincoln City from Shamrock Rovers for just €30k in 2022 is a prime example. At a time when Transfermarkt valued the midfielder at €375k, Lincoln triggered his massively reduced release clause when he was a standout performer in a Shamrock Rovers side who had just won the league for the second year on the bounce and were about to qualify for European group stages.

Just last week a similar instance occurred. Shelbourne’s Gavin Molloy, who has been a mainstay in Damien Duff’s side’s title push, joined Aberdeen after they triggered his release clause of around €80k, when the 22 year old’s value sits at €125k. I don’t think a young defender with bags of first team experience at a club pushing for a title in League One or the Scottish Championship, for example, would be sold for such a low fee. If City were to splash out on Slevin, the club would being doing well to be writing a cheque for less than about €30,000 – which is roughly what was spent on Pat Hoban six months ago.

There has been a new addition to the City squad in the past week, with midfielder Jacob Davenport joining from Morecambe. The 25 year old played as both a central midfielder and left back alongside Sadou Diallo, Will Patching, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Brahim Díaz in the Manchester City youth setup. He made over 50 appearances in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers between 2018 and 2022, and also made 26 appearances in League Two with Morecambe last season. A deeper-operating midfielder with a wicked left foot, it seems like City may have secured another bargain from the Man City academy. Former Manchester United forward D’Mani Bughail-Mellor featured for Derry as a trialist against Crusaders last Saturday, as did released Southampton right-back Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo. The latter bagged the winner and Bughail-Mellor is said to have played well in the forward areas. Davenport won’t be available for the Drogheda game, as his contract at Morecambe doesn’t expire until the 30^th of June, but he – and any other new faces – will be welcomed additions as European and FAI Cup games fast approach.

Speaking of Europe, it seems like the City faithful have been keeping SkyScanner in business over the past ten days or so. It was announced last Tuesday that Derry would face FC Bruno’s Magpies of Gibraltar in the First Round of Europa Conference League qualifying, with the away leg in Gibraltar being played on July 11^th, just in time for a bank holiday weekend. It has been announced that, due to stadium renovations, the game will be played in the smaller Europa Point Stadium, meaning that only 200 tickets will be made available to City fans. There will certainly be a scramble for tickets once those come out.

It was going to be a big tie, as we love a European game, but when FC Copenhagen were announced as the Second Round opposition for the winner, an extra dimension was added to the First Round tie. UEFA really did us dirty with that one, as we’ll face a side who beat Manchester United and drew with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season if we get past Magpies. It’s a glamour tie and no-one is expecting us to get into the Third Round like we did last year, but welcoming Denmark’s biggest team to the Brandywell a week before an away trip to Copenhagen is the stuff of Candystripe dreams. The Danes have got the likes of Jordan Larsson (son of Hendrik), Mohamed Elyounoussi (who Southampton paid £16m for and loaned to Celtic) and 74 time Sweden international Viktor Claesson in their squad. At this stage, we can only cross our fingers and hope we get past Magpies before focusing on what may come after.

 

Drogheda United:

Kevin Doherty has done an exceptional job on a shoestring budget since taking over as manager in late 2021, but his Drogheda United side haven’t quite clicked into gear this term. After an eighth placed finish in 2022 and a seventh placed finish in 2023, Doherty had moulded Drogheda into a team that were tough to break down and could grind out points. They’ve drawn or beaten Derry in six of the last ten games between the sides, alongside beating Shamrock Rovers and holding them to draws twice last season. This year, though, the Louth side have struggled for points after losing key players like Dayle Rooney and Conor Keeley in the off-season. With only three wins in twenty-one games, Drogheda find themselves bottom of the Premier Division, three points behind previously stricken rivals Dundalk. It seems like the Drogs haven’t coped with the increased quality of promoted sides as previously expected. UCD and Cork City got relegated last year, whom Drogheda finished ten and thirty points above respectively. The two clubs that got promoted, Galway United and Waterford, haven’t been overawed by a return to the Premier Division and find themselves fifth and fourth following highly successful campaigns in the First Division campaign last year.

Left back Evan Weir is joint with Haitian forward Frantz Pierrot at the top of Drogheda’s scoring charts, both on four. American winger Steve Zishim Bawa is next in line with three, meaning that only three players in United’s side have scored more than once this season. Weir’s two assists on top of his goal tally mean that he’s been the most creative player in the Drogheda side in 2024. Midfielder Darragh Markey has three assists and one goal so far this term and is, in my opinion, one of the league's most underrated players in the number 10 role.

Drogheda United’s twenty goals scored is the third lowest in the league but isn’t an awful return in honesty. A real worry for Kevin Doherty is the 37 goals his side has conceded, an average of 1.76 per game. At that rate they’re on course to concede another 26 goals or so in the last fifteen games of the campaign, which would see them conceding 63 by the end of the season – nine more than their tally last year. Another worry for Doherty is his side’s loan situation. The loan deal for Evan Weir from Walsall expires at the end of June, whilst Oisin Gallagher and Hayden Cann’s loans from Lincoln City have already come to an end – weakening the Louth side’s defence and midfield. The loss of Weir in particular, who has contributed to 30% of their goals this season, could be detrimental to their survival hopes. It has already been announced that forward Douglas James-Taylor will join the club in July, on-loan from Walsall. He scored twice in 26 League Two appearances last term and will be tasked with providing the goals to keep Drogheda United afloat come the end of the season.

 

Round Up:

The visitors on Friday have lost five of their last seven games and haven’t won since notching a 94^th minute winner against Dundalk on the 6^th of May. They’ve conceded fifteen in their last seven games and have scored just once in their last four. They’re desperate for a win, but a journey to Derry City, the form team in the league, isn’t what they will have wanted to see after the break. They welcome league leaders Shelbourne next week, so it doesn’t get any easier for Kevin Doherty’s men.

The Candystripes haven’t lost in over a month, winning three and drawing two of their last five games. A 2-0 friendly win over Crusaders on Saturday will see the City players fresh going into the match against Drogheda, whilst Shane McEleney and Colm Whelan both started in Derry’s U20 side’s recent 4-1 win over Dundalk U20s. Sean Patton, who has made five appearances for City’s senior side this season, bagged one of those four on Saturday too.

City are unbeaten against Drogheda United since April 2023, winning three and drawing two of the last five. The Candystripes have won two on the bounce against Drogheda in the Brandywell, going back to last August, and have lost just one in the last ten against the Louth side in Derry in all competitions. With the European ties, new signing and last minute winner against Bohs creating a positive buzz around the place during the summer break, you’d hope for a Derry City victory on Friday. A win could put Derry top of the table if Galway United defeat Shelbourne in Tolka Park, and with there being just one more league game after this until August, we’re fast approaching the business end of the season.

 

Pól O’Hare – 26 June 2024

Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Bohemian FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 21, Dalymount Park, Thursday 13^th June 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Last week: Derry City 2- 0 Galway United

Derry City kept hot on the heels of leaders Shelbourne with an impressive 2-0 win over a resilient Galway United side last Friday night. It was Derry City’s first home win over The Tribesmen since June 2017, condemning the away side to back to back defeats for the first time this season. City now find themselves hitting a good run of form, losing just once in their last ten games and putting themselves out in the clear as the league’s highest scorers.

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men delivered one of their best all-round performances of the year, putting two past a side who had only conceded eleven all season going into Friday’s game. Galway’s defensive structure was resolute throughout, as John Caulfield lined up with a physical starting eleven in order to quell City’s attacking talent. It was two sweeping moves down either flank that brought the goals on the night too. The deadlock was broken 65 minutes in after neat interplay between Michael Duffy and Ben Doherty saw City’s number seven find space behind the right back before delivering a low ball into the box. Will Patching made no mistake, side footing into the top corner. The points were tied up twenty minutes later when Daniel Kelly made a trademark run down the right wing before crossing into Patrick Hoban, who made no mistake to find his eleventh of the campaign. With a two week break coming after Thursday’s game against Bohemians, the Candystripes finally seem to be kicking into gear.

 

Derry City:

It’s four games unbeaten now for Derry City who will want to build momentum going into the summer months. There are only three league games between now and the start of August, but with the UEFA Conference League qualifiers and FAI Cup action fast approaching in July, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men will need to show their resilient side if they’re to keep the good performances up when the games are coming thick and fast. It’s been sixteen weeks since City’s first game of the season, and twenty games have already been played. 
Seeded in the first round of Conference League Qualifying, an unseeded Welsh team (such as Caernarfon Town who have never competed in European competition before) would be a desired draw. In the FAI Cup however, facing 2023’s winners St Patrick’s Athletic in the second round (Premier Division clubs received a bye through the first round) is a difficult start to say the least. An ideal draw there would have been Cockhill Celtic of Inishowen, who have somewhat cruelly been drawn away to Waterford.

Derry, thankfully, suffered no more injuries against Galway last Friday. Patrick McEleney will most likely be out for the season, but Will Patching’s newfound freedom in the midfield has linked City’s midfield to their forwards nicely – something which might have declined following the loss of  McEleney. Ciaron Harkin got more game-time on Friday night, as well as starting for Derry’s U20s against Finn Harps on Saturday. Another man who started that U20s fixture was Colm Whelan, who last started a game of competitive football in May 2022 – when he suffered his first ACL injury whilst playing for UCD against Finn Harps. Whelan came off the bench on three occasions for Derry City last season, scoring twice before suffering another devastating knee injury against Shamrock Rovers in a 2-0 defeat in the Brandywell. 24 at the end of the month, the former Ireland U21 striker scored and assisted for City’s U20s in the first half before being replaced 37 minutes in. He'll be a welcome addition to the squad as the season continues into the latter stages.

 

Bohemians:

Bohemians have had an inconsistent campaign so far. After winning just one of their first four games, manager Declan Devine was sacked and replaced by former Derry City assistant manager Alan Reynolds. Reynolds, who left his post as assistant manager at Waterford to take the job in Dalymount, seemed to get a reaction from his players. Bohs won five of the first seven games under his tutelage, including a 2-1 win over Derry on the 15^th of March. However, since beating Drogheda United 1-0 on the 19^th of April, Bohemians have won just once in the following seven fixtures – a 3-0 away win against Sligo in mid-May. They lost four of those seven, with the most notable defeat being a 2-0 away loss to Dundalk in what was the Lilywhites’ first win of the campaign.
Due to the call ups of Martin Miller and Michael Lilander to the Estonian national team, Bohemians will have had two weeks rest before they face Derry on Thursday, which will be followed by another two weeks due to the summer break. That’ll either mean that they’ll have a fit, sharp squad going into Thursday night, or they could be distracted by having just one game in a four week spell. 

Former Derry City striker James Akintunde, who joined Bohs ahead of the 2023 campaign, is having his best season in the red and black jersey. Five goals and two assists sees him top of the scoring charts in Phisborough, whilst Dayle Rooney’s tally of three goals and six assists has him down as the Dublin club’s most creative player. Those six assists have the former Drogheda winger second in the assist tally in the league too, just one behind St Patrick’s Athletic’s Brandon Kavanagh. Michael Duffy and Paul McMullan sit joint fourth in those rankings, each chipping in with four assists. Jordan Flores is always a threat from set-pieces too and has scored both of the penalties he’s taken in the league this season. Hull City loanee centre back Jevon Mills has been solid since signing at the start of the campaign, as has Polish goalkeeper Kacper Chorążka who has kept five clean sheets filling in for James Talbot.

Currently seventh in the league, Bohemians sit level on points with St. Pat’s on 24 - eight points above the drop zone. Bohs do, however, have four games in hand on both the Inchicore side and Derry City. They have at least one game in hand on everyone else in the division too. Pat’s look to be in a perilous position, as the two teams below them in the league both have two games in hand – something which could drag the Saints into a relegation battle if results were to go against them. Relegation doesn’t seem to be as much of a worry for Bohs though. They’re only three points behind Galway United in fifth and, if they were to win their four games in hand, that would take them up to 36 points.

 

Round-up:

Michael Duffy’s late winner in the Brandywell a month ago meant that Derry beat Bohemians for the first time in a year. From the last ten fixtures between the two, Derry have won five, Bohs have won two and there have been three draws. There hasn’t been goalless encounter in Dalymount between these two since July 2019, with the following eight games in Phisborough producing 28 goals, an average of 3.5 goals per game. 
Bohemian’s 2-1 win there in March was their first home victory over City since September 2020. James Akintunde opened the scoring for Derry on that day nearly four years ago, before the home side scored in the 94^th and 96^th minutes to snatch the points. There have been some classics in Dalymount between Derry and Bohs in the last few years too. Immediately springing to mind is Derry’s 3-2 win there in July 2022, and a 3-3 draw back in September 2021. James Akintunde thought he’d claimed the win for Derry then when he scored in the 91^st minute, before now Bradford City defender Ciaran Kelly netted in the 96^th minute to split the shares.
One thing to look out for on Thursday night is the referee. 33 year old Rob Hennessy, who oversaw Bohs' 2-1 win over Derry earlier in the year, will officiate his third Derry City game of the season. The Candystripes haven't won a game that Hennessy took charge of since April 2022, when they put four past St Pat's in Inchicore. That's eleven games that City have gone winless when the official was Rob Hennessy. The Candystripes will be hoping to change that this time round.

Derry City were top of the league for twelve minutes on Friday, that’s how long it was been Will Patching’s opener and John Martin’s winner for Shelbourne against Dundalk. If Shels fail to beat Waterford away on Thursday evening, and Derry get the better of Bohemians, City will go into the summer break top of the league – albeit despite Shelbourne’s game in hand advantage. Now seven points clear of Shamrock Rovers in third place, Derry can be assured that they’ll stay at least second even if Rovers win their next two and City fail to score points in that time. Alan Reynolds’ men will be looking for their first win in three, whilst Derry are unbeaten in four and have kept clean sheets in the last three games. Don’t forget that this is a Thursday night game due to the Euros starting on Friday, but this one could be a good one.
Pól O'Hare - 12th June 2024

 

Derry City v Galway United: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Galway United: Match Preview

Derry City v. Galway United, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 20, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 7^th June 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Last weekend: Dundalk 0-0 Derry City, Derry City 3-0 Waterford

After a disappointing draw to then bottom-side Dundalk on Friday, Derry City bounced back with a dominant 3-0 win over Waterford – the form side in the division. The Candystripes had the opportunity to go level on points with table-topping Shelbourne with two wins on Friday and Monday, but the draw in Oriel Park didn’t have the City faithful hopeful for the visit of Waterford.

The Dundalk match wasn’t a pretty affair. In Jon Daly’s first home game as Dundalk manager, his side were well organised and threatened Brian Maher’s goal more than he would have liked. The City keeper made some fine saves to keep the Candystripes in a game which, on another day, could have seen the home side come away two or three goals to the good. There were 24 fouls in all, including a free-kick given against Dundalk goalie Ross Munro for stepping outside of his box with the ball in his hands. Will Patching’s following effort was smothered by the Scottish shot-stopper, in what was probably Derry’s best opportunity of the game. It was a performance that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men would have wanted to forget as soon as possible, as City went back up the road fortunate to have gained a point.

Dundalk’s 3-2 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night, in an occasion which saw Stephen Kenny face the side with which he won ten trophies for the first time since leaving in 2018, showed that the Lilywhites certainly had the ability to put Derry to the sword had their strikers brought their shooting boots.

In front of just over 2000 in the Brandywell, at an awkward 6pm Monday evening kick-off, the Derry players started on the front foot. Buoyed on to right Friday night’s wrongs, City found space and created chances from both the flanks and through the middle. Three goals within the first half hour had the Candystripes going into the break comfortable. It was some of the best football they’ve played this campaign, and it was refreshing to see the team go forward with such urgency and energy. Michael Duffy opened the scoring after eleven minutes, firing into the top left corner from inside the box to set the tone for the evening. Mark Connolly scored his first goal in nearly two years ten minutes later, latching onto Will Patching’s cross to convert a perfectly placed header past Sam Sargeant in the Waterford goal, rounding off a tidy team move. Pat Hoban bagged his tenth of the season on the half hour mark, sweeping into the bottom corner and giving Waterford no hope of a comeback. The same again on Friday would do nicely.

 

Derry City:

After news last week that Colm Whelan has returned to full training ahead of a return in the summer following more than a year out with another ACL injury, it was another injury to a key player that overshadowed Monday’s performance. Patrick McEleney, starting just his second game of an injury hit campaign, was tackled by Waterford’s Gbemi Arubi on the hour mark and fell to the ground near the half way line. It was immediately obvious that the City skipper had suffered a serious injury, with it rumoured to be a broken arm. It’s another heartbreaking setback for the midfielder, who was just returning to full fitness. It could unfortunately be three or four months before we see the number 10 back in a Derry shirt.

Cameron McJannet was an unused substitute on both Friday and Monday night, whilst Ronan Boyce only played fifteen minutes against Dundalk and remained on the bench against Waterford. Sam Todd has been out of the team after being substituted at half-time against Sligo Rovers, whilst Jordan McEneff’s foot injury will see him side-lined for considerably longer yet. In positive news, Ciaron Harkin played for the first time since coming off the bench against Waterford back in April. The 28 year old may see more gametime as he regains full fitness. It was also announced during the week that versatile midfielder Cameron Dummigan has committed his future to the Candystripes, signing a new contract which will keep him at the Brandywell until 2026. He’s one of multiple key players out of contract in November and will hopefully be the first of many to sign new deals at Derry City.

Pat Hoban netted his tenth goal of the season against Waterford, five of which have come against the Munster side, making him the first Derry striker to hit ten in the league since Jamie McGonigle two years ago. A City player hasn’t won the golden boot since Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, who finished the season with 14 goals in 2019. Hoban needs another four to beat that tally and his smart finish on Monday has put him a goal clear of Pádraig Amond in second and Shamrock Rovers duo Aaron Greene and Johnny Kenny in joint third in the scoring charts. Three different scorers and three different providers showed the quality of Derry’s attacking play against Waterford – something which they’ll want to carry into Friday’s fixture at home to Galway United.

 

Galway United:

Much has been said of Galway United’s goalscoring exploits in the First Division last season. The Tribesmen bagged 98 goals in 36 games, an average of 2.73 goals per game. They also conceded just 18, meaning they kept a clean sheet in 50% of their matches. They’ve carried that defensive form into the Premier Division, conceding just eleven in eighteen fixtures – three better than next best Shelbourne. Galway haven’t, however, found scoring as easy to come by in the Premier Division. Their tally of 14 is second lowest, above only Dundalk (12) and six behind the next lowest scoring teams, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United (both 20).

Despite not scoring many, Galway United sit fifth in the table, with three games in hand on Derry City and St. Patrick’s Athletic, and at least one on everyone else aside from Bohemians. Seeing that they’re just four points off Shamrock Rovers in third, some goalscoring form could have them right in the mix for European spots. Wins away to Derry and at home to Shelbourne have been the highlight of John Caulfield’s season, as well as scoring twice in additional time to beat Drogheda United 3-2 after going 2-1 behind in mid-May.

Defender Maurice Nugent is joint with Stephen Walsh as Galway’s top scorer this term, both with three goals, whilst club captain and former Derry City midfielder Conor McCormack tops the assist charts. Considering that Wassim Aoucharia and David Hurley contributed to 39 of Galway’s 98 goals last term, and only Hurley has found the net on one occassion this season, John Caulfield’s men could do with some confidence in forward areas. We saw against Derry that United are a very organised team and can hurt on the counter attack, something which Ruaidhrí Higgins will need to have his side wary of.

 

Round-Up:

Galway United’s win in the Brandywell in late March was their first on Foyleside since May 2015 and handed City their first defeat of the campaign. The two have only met in the north-west eight times since 2010, with the home side coming away with victories on five occasions. Only one of those was a draw, in September 2016, whilst Galway recorded wins twice. Looking at the bigger picture, Derry City have beaten Galway just three times in their last ten league meetings – the last coming in June 2017 in Maginn Park. Nathan Boyle and Ronan Curtis scored twice within the opening nine minutes to take home all three points that day. Current Galway captain Conor McCormack was also shown a red card after just 28 minutes in a goalless draw between the two nearly eight years ago to the day.

St. Pat’s’ 2-1 win over United last week was the Connacht men’s first loss in nine league games, going back to the first of April. After losing four of their first eight, Galway won four and drew five of those nine following games. They’ll certainly be no roll-overs on Friday and, knowing that they have so many games in hand on those around them, Galway will be fighting for every point that they can get to rise up the table. Veteran goalkeeper Brendan Clarke has kept an impressive ten clean sheets this term, owing to the solidity of the defence in front of him. If City are to win on Friday, they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders to break down John Caulfield’s resilient defensive structure.

Pól O'Hare – 5^th June 2024

Double Preview: Derry City away to Dundalk and home to Waterford

 

Double Preview: Derry City away to Dundalk and home to Waterford

 

Friday 31^st May 2024: Dundalk FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 18, Oriel Park, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Monday 3^rd June 2024: Derry City FC v Waterford FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 19, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, kick-off pm

 

Last weekend: Derry City 2-2 Sligo Rovers –

As Derry prepared to face Sligo Rovers last Friday, a team who had won just once in their previous nine fixtures, they knew that a win could close the gap on table-topping Shelbourne. Ruaidhrí Higgins was looking for a reaction as his City side were coming off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers earlier in the week, in a match where a win could have sent them top.

The first half was a scrappy affair, as referee Rob Hennessy pulled the game back for nineteen fouls – fifteen of which were committed by the away team. Sligo had opened the scoring after eighteen minutes, when Reece Hutchinson’s deflected cross from the left flank deceived Brian Maher and looped into the corner. Rovers were lucky to keep all eleven men on the pitch after Conor Reynolds’ lunge on Will Patching caught the City midfielder above the knee. The young centre back received a yellow card for the challenge, much to the dismay of the City faithful.

The home side flew out of the blocks in the second half though, with Michael Duffy pouncing on a defensive error to slide past Ed McGinty five minutes after the restart. As Derry momentum was building, a loose pass from Brian Maher saw Niall Morahan one-on-one with the City shot-stopper before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Will Patching’s 83^rd minute penalty rescued a point for City, who were disappointed not to claim all three after recording 73% possession and 24 shots across the 96 minutes. Shelbourne’s 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers sees them go six clear at the summit, whilst Derry maintain a three point buffer on Rovers in third.

 

Derry City:

Despite the poor first half, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men threatened considerably more in the second 45. The introductions of Patrick McEleney, Cameron Dummigan and Cameron McJannet at half-time gave City a bit more solidity and creativity. McEleney’s ball to Paul McMullan, which won Derry the penalty late on, was a pinpoint switch of play from deep inside City’s half. Sam Todd started alongside Shane McEleney, but the 25 year old seemed to have a bloody calf towards the end of the first half and was one of three substituted at the break. Diallo was replaced, presumably for more creativity going forward, whilst Cameron Dummigan’s was introduced in place of Ronan Boyce.

 

The Candystripe’s downfall in the first half on Friday was a lack of intensity in the press. As was the case in the second half, it was runs at the defence from Michael Duffy and Paul McMullan which forced Sligo into two defensive mistakes – the first leading to Duffy’s goal and the second winning a penalty. Dundalk have conceded 25 in 17 this term, so a high press could be the key to netting a couple of goals down in Oriel Park. Derry also seemed to be given more freedom to shoot from outside the area in the second half, and with the talent of City’s midfielders, this will surely wield goals from the likes of McEleney and Patching if afforded more often.

Dundalk:

The best way to summarise Dundalk’s season to date is that they’ve had more managers than wins. After internal turmoil towards the end of last season, which saw Brian Ainscough take over as owner and club legend Pat Hoban leave, Dundalk had to wait until the seventh game of the 2024  campaign to gain their first win. They’ve only won once more since, when John Mountney’s 91^st strike saw Dundalk overcome Shamrock Rovers. Manager Stephen O’Donnell was sacked and replaced by Noel King, who’s stint only lasted 25 days as he left citing medical issues. Jon Daly, sacked by St. Pat’s just a few weeks ago, is the new manager of the Lilywhites. His first home game in charge will come on Friday, as Ruaidhrí Higgins men must be wary of the new manager bounce.

Dundalk, who finished third as recently as 2022, find themselves rock bottom of the Premier Division table. With nine losses, six draws and just two wins after seventeen fixtures, it’s apparent that Jon Daly has quite the job on his hands if his Dundalk side are to avoid relegation. They sit three points behind their Louth neighbours Drogheda United and seven points from safety. Only Drogheda have conceded more goals than the Lilywhites this season, whilst the Oriel Park side’s goal return of nine is four less than the next worst – Galway United’s tally of thirteen. Jamie Gullan and Robbie Benson have bagged three goals each this season, with the former also registering one assist. John Mountney, Scott High and Ryan O’Kane have also scored once this season, whilst Daryl Horgan tops Dundalk’s assist chart with two.

Derry City haven’t lost to Dundalk since November 2022, winning three and drawing two of the following five fixtures. Furthering that, Dundalk haven’t beaten the Candystripes in Oriel Park since June 2021, when current City forwards Dan Kelly and Pat Hoban netted for the Lilywhites. City have won just three of their last twenty-one games in Oriel Park though – once last year, once in 2021 and once eleven years ago, back in 2013. The Lilywhites also haven't conceded in any of their last six home games. Derry have netted fifteen goals across their last four meetings with Dundalk though, including a 4-1 win earlier this season. 

 

Waterford:

In their first season back in the Premier Division since 2021, Waterford find themselves fifth in the table. Seven wins, four draws and six losses from their first seventeen games back in the division certainly isn’t a bad return and, with a record of four wins in their last five, the Munster side are in a good place. Their last two home games have been 4-2 and 4-1 wins over Drogheda United and Dundalk respectively, whilst Keith Long’s men recorded an impressive 3-1 away win against Shamrock Rovers in early May. The Blues are behind just Derry City and Shamrock Rovers in the scoring charts this season, netting 24 in 17 games.

Pádraig Almond, brought back to Ireland after an illustrious spell in the English Football League after leaving in 2010, has bagged eight goals so far this campaign. The 36 year old scored a thirteen minute hat-trick against Drogheda last time out as his side overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2. Only Pat Hoban has found the net more times than Amond in the league this season. Winger Maleace Asamoah has scored six times too, leaving him joint sixth top scorer in the league – level with Shelbourne’s Sean Boyd. The Fleetwood Town loanee has been a joy to watch for Waterford fans this campaign. Darragh Leahy has scored twice and assisted twice from left-back so far too.

Derry City have met Waterford twice this season, winning 3-0 in the Brandywell in March and 2-0 in the RSC in April. The Candystripes have only lost once in their last eight home games in all competitions against the Munster side too – that came back in April 2021. Cameron McJannet’s goal for City that day wasn’t enough to earn a point, but it marked his first for the club, and his first senior goal since scoring the equaliser for Ashton against Leamington in the National League North in April 2019, almost two years to the day prior.

Round-up:

The Friday-Monday game weekends have been coming thick and fast this weekend for clubs involved in Europe. Derry, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and St. Pat’s have all played two more games than the rest of the division as fixtures have been brought forward to avoid congestion in July and August. Those four sides are past the half-way marks in their seasons, but it has left the door open for other clubs to capitalise on games in hand. For example, Galway United currently sit fourth on 27 points. Six points from their two games in hand would see them at 33 – two more than what Derry City currently sit on in second place. Similarly at the bottom of the table, the four teams beneath St. Pat’s could theoretically leapfrog them if results were to go a certain way.

It just shows how close the table is this season and with Shamrock Rovers still struggling to kickstart their season, the opportunity is there for others to capitalise. Shelbourne’s six point lead at the top looks healthy once again, whilst Derry City will need to turn draws into wins if they’re to win a first title since 1997. It feels like, even at this stage, every weekend could determine the outcome of the season.

 

Pól O’Hare – 29^th May 2024

Derry City v Sligo Rovers: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Sligo Rovers: Match Preview

Derry City FC v. Sligo Rovers FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 17, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 24^th May 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It was another rollercoaster weekend for Derry City who spoiled Stephen Kenny’s welcoming party at St. Patrick’s Athletic with a 1-0 victory in Inchicore on Friday night. With all eyes on Richmond Park, who welcomed its largest crowd of the campaign, the former Republic of Ireland manager’s homecoming didn’t go quite to plan as Paul McMullan cooly slid the ball under Danny Rogers late in the second half. That result, coupled with Shamrock Rovers’ defeat away to Dundalk, meant that City had the opportunity to put an eight point gap between themselves and the Tallaght side with a win on Monday night.

 

Early pressure from the champions resulted in Adam O’Reilly clearing the ball from the line after just two minutes. Just four minutes later, Johnny Kenny pounced on Graham Burke’s rebounded shot to find the bottom corner and put Rovers ahead. It could’ve gotten worse for City, who needed Brian Maher to save a Burke penalty to stop the Hoops’ advantage doubling. In truth, Derry didn’t threaten Rovers on Monday night, as Leon Pohls was a spectator for most of precedings. Stephen Bradley’s side could have had four of five on the night, and it was one of those ones that Ruaidhrí Higgins will be hoping to move on from soon.

 

Shelbourne’s 96^th minute winner of St. Pat’s on Monday evening means that Damien Duff’s men now see themselves four points clear at the top. Shels play Shamrock Rovers on Friday night, who are now just two points behind Derry and six from the summit. At the halfway point of the season, the Candystripes haven’t beaten any of the current top four. They’ve drawn twice against Shelbourne, lost one and drawn one against Galway whilst losing two and drawing once against Shamrock Rovers. That’s four points from a possible twenty one. It’s a worrying statistic for Ruaidhrí Higgins, but it shows that City need to gain a bit of cutting edge against their fellow title and European challengers.

 

In saying that, being four points from top spot eighteen games in isn’t a bad return. Three of Derry’s next four matches are at home, and with just two losses in the Brandywell this season, the Candystripes will be searching for maximum points from those fixtures. Pat Hoban was a miss on Monday night as it being evident that City lacked a focal point in attack. The return of Cameron Dummigan to the starting eleven, for the first time since late February, was certainly a boost though. Patrick McEleney played all of the second half, whilst Sadou Diallo appeared from the bench to gain more match fitness after suffering a knee injury in preseason. The former Manchester City midfielder performed particularly well on Friday and Monday, especially considering the nature and length of his injury.

 

Sligo Rovers started the campaign well, losing two just two of their first eight games and recording an impressive 5-0 away win against Dundalk in early March. Since beating Waterford 1-0 nearly two months ago though, Sligo have lost five of their last nine matches, winning just once and drawing the other three. Injuries to key players have hit the Bit’O’Red squad hard and the departure of striker Max Mata, who scored four and assisted three this campaign, will be a big loss for John Russell’s side. Centre backs John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker are out long-term with Achilles and rib injuries, whilst former Derry winger Will Fitzgerald will miss out, alongside Simon Power.

 

Fabrice Hartmann is a standout player on the wing. The RB Leipzig loanee has five goal involvements this term from the right flank. Midfielder Ellis Chapman, who scored four against Derry City in pre-season, leads the Rovers’ scoring charts with four, alongside the aforementioned Max Mata. Only six players have scored for Sligo this term, just three of whom have bagged more than one. Their injury issues and loss of Mata have been hurting them at the top of the end of the pitch. In Sligo’s last game, a 3-0 home defeat against Bohemians, they maintained 62% of possession and got away six shots. The visitors, in comparison, had just three more shots and two more on target, but managed to find the net three times. Rovers only had 7 touches in their oppositions penalty box, compared to the 16 of Bohs. John Russell’s men have no problem holding onto the ball, but seem to be really lacking some clinicality up front. (Apparently clinicality isn’t a word but it works here).

 

Sitting in eighth place, just three points clear of the relegation zone, and despite scoring just three in their last nine games whilst conceding fourteen, Sligo Rovers have been something of a bogey team in recent times. Last season, when City needed a win to keep their title hopes alive, and on a night when Shamrock Rovers dropped points to UCD, Higgins’ men travelled to Sligo. Derry had Ronan Boyce sent off and were denied a clear penalty when Cian Kavanagh was felled by goalkeeper Richard Brush, Stefan Radosavljevic scored six minutes from time to clinch the points for the home side. Will Fitzgerald scored after just three minutes last May in the Showgrounds as Derry fell to defeat in Sligo, but Will Patching’s 95^th minute winner in the Brandywell in July avenged that earlier defeat. The two sides have met once this season, back in February when an uneventful 0-0 draw was played out. Derry lost Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan to injury in the first half that night - neither of whom have returned to full fitness.

 

A 5-4 win in pre-season shows that this game can produce goals, and Sligo haven’t beaten Derry in the Brandywell since July 2020, but Rovers haven’t scored more than once in a match since the 16^th of March and Derry haven’t since the end of April. The City boss will hope that his side regain some confidence and put in a big performance on Friday as the Candystripes aim to return to winning ways.

Pól O'Hare - 22nd May 2024 

 

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