Cork City v Derry City: FAI Cup Match Preview

 

Cork City v Derry City: FAI Cup Match Preview

 

Cork City FC v. Derry City FC., FAI Cup Third Round, Turner’s Cross, Friday 16^th August 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City conceded precious ground in the title race last Friday when relegation-scrapping Dundalk held the Candystripes to a 1-1 draw in the Ryan McBride Brandywell. In a game where a win would’ve put Derry top, for a day at least, City have only gained one point on top-of-the table Shelbourne. Hopeful of progression to the quarter-finals, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men now face a long trip south to face runaway First Division leaders Cork City in the Third Round of the FAI Cup - a side who City haven’t faced since the Rebels were relegated from the top flight last season.

Last time out – Derry City 1-1 Dundalk:

In Dundalk's previous visit to the Brandywell, City dispatched the Louth side with a dominant 4-1 win. Sitting 9^th in the league, just two points above bottom going into the game, the City faithful expected something similar this time round – knowing that a win by any margin would have put Derry top of the table. The home side started the better of the two in the first fifteen, with Ben Doherty and Michael Duffy troubling Dundalk’s defence down the flank. The two linked up on the ten minute mark when Doherty’s cross was met by Duffy who headed into the ground and over the Dundalk goal. Ten minutes later and the away side opened the deadlock as they grew into the game. Daryl Horgan’s whipped corner was glanced into the bottom corner by captain John Mountney, a precise header to give the away side an early lead.

Ten minutes before half-time and Derry really should have had a penalty. Cameron Dummigan’s driven ball into the box struck the hand of Sean Keogh but Rob Harvey waved away claims of a City penalty – much to the dismay of the City crowd. Dundalk could, and probably should, have had two goals before half-time though. Horgan broke down the right hand side before sliding the ball across the box. Robbie Benson’s dummy meant the ball came to the feet of Robbie Mahon, who’s left footed effort flew narrowly over the crossbar. A big scare for City going into the break.

Derry started the second half with vigour and energy, two traits missing during most of the first half. The introductions of Jacob Davenport and Danny Mullen gave Derry more dynamism going forward. Less than twenty minutes into the half, and Mullen collected the ball from Davenport before curling into the bottom corner. Both the City subs involved in equalising the tie. The Candystripes pushed on throughout the second period and really should have won took all three points. Derry’s Scottish striker could have had a hattrick when he found himself 1v1 with Goddard twice in the space of five minutes. After a defensive mishap, Mullen got onto the end of a loose pass back before Felix Goddard saved well. Andy Boyle’s defensive header looped over his centre back partner and in the path of Mullen again minutes later. The 29 year old tried to clip it over Goddard but didn’t connect with it cleanly and watched as the ball landed on the roof of the net. Two big opportunities which could be decisive at the end of the season. One more point on the board, but two lost in the title race for Derry City.

Derry City:

Derry were let off the hook by Shelbourne on Saturday when the league leaders lost 2-1 away to Sligo Rovers – a result which kept the Candystripes in the title race. A Shels win would have put them five points clear with a game in hand, leaving City with a mountain to climb. Shamrock Rovers, despite having three games in hand on Derry going into their match against Drogheda United on Sunday, failed to make ground on the top two as the bottom side held them to a draw in Tallaght - it seems like no-one wants to win the league this year. Waterford, Sligo Rovers and Galway United are three other teams fighting for European spots with just two points now separating third and sixth.

In honesty, the Candystripes need to be beating teams like Dundalk in order to mount a serious title charge. With Sligo beating Shelbourne, a win on Friday night would have put Derry top of the table going into the FAI Cup bout with Cork City. The upcoming cup game gives City a break from the tension of the title race, but they’re facing the leaders of the First Division. After winning the cup in 2022 with a record breaking 4-0 win over Shelbourne in the final, City crashed out at this stage last year – losing on penalties to eventual winners St Pat’s after beating Athlone Town 3-0 in the second round. It’s now been more than three years since the Candystripes had an FAI Cup campaign in which they didn’t face a First Division team, and it’s been thirteen years since we last lost to a First Division team in cup action. That loss came in the form of a 4-1 drubbing away to Wexford Youths in 2011, ouch.

City come into the cup tie with a mostly clean bill of health and no new injury woes. Jordan McEneff has been in the matchday squad for the past two games as he returns from a broken foot, meanwhile Jacob Davenport made his debut for the Candystripes when he replaced Adam O’Reilly at half-time against Dundalk. The English midfielder didn’t look like he hadn’t played since April, showcasing his silky first touch and composure on the ball. He seems like a quality operator and a tidy defensive midfielder, the former Man City man is definitely one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Patrick McEleney is reportedly edging closer to a return following an arm injury whilst Collie Whelan is on his way to returning to full fitness. Whelan bagged the winner against Cork City on his Derry debut last year. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Danny Mullen start on Friday after he picked up his ninth goal of the season against Dundalk - the Scotsman seems to bag for the Candystripes when it really matters.

Cork City:

After a dismal campaign in the Premier Division last year in which Cork City finished 9^th before losing to rivals Waterford in the play-offs, the Rebels have turned round their fortunes this year. Tim Clancy’s men are runaway leaders of the First Division, sitting on 60 points. That’s 15 points more than Athlone Town in second place. They’ve all but guaranteed their immediate return to the top flight, and they’re doing it in style. Of their 27 league games, Cork City have lost just one, drawn nine and won the other seventeen. They’re rock solid at the back too, conceding only ten goals in the league this season. They haven’t conceded more than once in a single domestic game this term, with their only heavier defeats coming in friendlies – namely a 5-0 loss to Championship side Stoke City in mid-July. City will need to be on top form to beat the Munster side on Friday.

Jack Doherty, a winter arrival from neighbours Cobh Ramblers, is Cork’s current top scorer with seven goals. His three additional assists mean that he’s the only player in the City squad to have contributed to ten or more goals this term. Charlie Lyons, a left-sided centre back who also signed from Cobh Ramblers, is Cork’s next highest scorer with five goals. He’s the second highest scoring defender in both League of Ireland divisions this term, behind only UCD’s Éanna Clancy, who has netted six. Derry man Evan McLaughlin, who left the Candystripes to join Cork at the end of last season, has scored five and assisted a further three in 2024. An attacking midfielder by trade, the 22 year old has impressed at left-back for the Rebels. Former Celtic and Cliftonville midfielder Barry Coffey is another tidy midfielder, whilst Dutchman Malik Dijksteel’s first goal of the season was an effort from outside the box to beat Finn Harps in the previous round of the cup. 24 year old English goalkeeper Bradley Wade has played all of Cork’s 28 games in league and FAI Cup action, keeping an extremely impressive 18 clean sheets. That shows not only his quality, but the quality of the defence in front of him.

Cork City’s two combative central midfielders, Greg Bolger and Sean Murray, are two players who won't shy away from a big game. The former has made over 400 appearances in the LOI, winning three Premier Divisions, four FAI Cups and will likely add a second First Division winner’s medal to his collection this term. He’s an experienced midfielder and a master of the dark arts. 36 in September, he’s still more than capable of performing at this level. Sean Murray is a former Ireland U21 international who made more than 150 appearances in the English Football League with Watford, Wigan Athletic, Swindon Town and Colchester United. A Premier Division and League Cup winner with Dundalk in 2019, as well as an FAI Cup winner in 2020, Murray signed for Cork after a spell at Glentoran and has made 22 appearances this term.

The Rebels have quality all over the park, and their two most recent signings are statements of intent of the highest order. First came the return of Ruairí Keating. Keating was nominated for the PFAI Player of the Year last year after bagging thirteen goals in the Premier Division. The 29 year old turned down Derry City to join St. Pat’s in the off-season but terminated his contract to return ‘home’ to Cork City after scoring four goals this term – one of which came against Derry in the Brandywell. The next big name to return to the club was none other than Sean Maguire. His 38 goals in 51 appearances for City between 2016 and 2017 saw him pick up the PFAI Young Player of the Year award in 2016 and the top scorer award in 2017 as Cork won their first league title since 2005. After moving to Preston North End in the summer of 2017, where made more than 150 appearances, Maguire went on to make 11 appearances and score once for the Republic of Ireland senior team. Now 30, the striker has returned to Cork after a year at Carlisle United. Two formidable forward signings for Cork City, and two men who Derry’s centre backs will need to be on top form to handle.

Cathal O’Sullivan is another one to watch for the Munster side. At just 17, O’Sullivan’s highlights reel is something special and he’s one of the most promising players on the island. Of his five league goals, two were nominated for the July Goal of the Month award.  A skilful attacking midfielder, and the only nominee for the July Player of the Month to play in the First Division, O’Sullivan is a rumoured transfer target for some of Europe’s elite and can move to the UK when he turns 18 next March. He could follow in the footsteps of fellow Cork-man Jaden Umeh, who recently sealed a move to Portuguese giants Benfica, with City in-line for compensation and future add-ons.

Round-up:

In a way, both teams will fancy their chances on Friday. Derry will be favourites but need to respect the First Division side. Cork’s solidity in front of their own goal, and clincality in front of the opposition’s, will be of concern for Ruaidhrí Higgins. Both sides are also in good form. In the ten games after losing to Athlone Town in late May, Cork City have won seven and drawn the other three, scoring fifteen and conceding just three. They are a serious outfit for the First Division. Derry, who play their first away game in the FAI Cup since a loss to Finn Harps in August 2021, have lost just one of their last ten domestic games and put last year’s winners St. Pat’s to the sword in the previous round.

The two sides met in the FAI Cup in 2022, with Derry beating ten-man Cork 2-0 in the Brandywell. Cork City haven’t beaten the Candystripes since October 2018 when they put three past City in Kenny Shiels’ last home game as manager. In the eleven meetings since, Derry City have won nine, including beating Cork in all four league meetings between the sides in 2023 with an aggregate score of 8-1. Derry City have aspirations to go all the way in both the league and cup this year, whilst Cork City certainly wouldn’t say no to progressing to the quarter-finals. This is gearing up to be a proper cup tie, and a battle of the two cities for the first time in ten months.

Pól O’Hare – 14^th August 2024

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview (9th August 2024)

 

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

Derry City FC v. Dundalk FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 27, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 9^th August 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

It’s as you were at the top of the Premier Division after a somewhat anti-climactic Monday night fixture against Shelbourne in Tolka Park. Derry City fought on for more than an hour following Sam Todd’s second yellow card in the first half to claim a hard-earned point, but had the better opportunities and would have felt hard done by not going back up the road with three points. They face Dundalk on Friday, a side who find themselves sitting just two points from bottom of the table. A win for the Candystripes would put them top for at least 22 hours until Shelbourne travel to in-form Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening.

Last time out – Shelbourne 0-0 Derry City:

Much was made of Monday night’s top of the table clash. Billed by Shels gaffer Damien Duff as the ‘biggest night Tolka Park’s seen in 18 years’, the game didn’t quite live up to expectations. The home side set up with an alternate backline following the suspensions of Paddy Barrett and Tyreke Wilson, whilst Derry City welcomed Ronan Boyce and Jordan McEneff back to the bench following injury setbacks.

Derry started the game the better side, with Michael Duffy coming closest within the early exchanges as he volleyed Pat Hoban’s header straight at Kearns in the Shels goal from twelve yards out. Duffy again came close just minutes later, firing a left-footed effort wide after beating Shelbourne right-back Sean Gannon for pace. Disaster struck for Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men after 34 minutes however, when Sam Todd, starting just his fourth league game of the season, brought Scottish winger Liam Burt to the ground. The contact was minimal but Todd, walking a tight-rope after an earlier yellow card, was shown his marching orders. It was an uphill battle for the Candystripes, who could have gone into half-time two or three to the good after Michael Duffy failed to capitalise on a loose ball from Conor Kearns late in the half.

The home side picked up the pace and tested Brian Maher more in the second period. The best effort of the half coming when Harry Wood found space on the edge of the box but saw his bouncing shot saved by the City keeper. Ali Coote, brought off the bench with just fifteen to go, came close for the home side when his shot across the face of goal took a deflection off Ben Doherty and went narrowly wide. City sat in deep and defended well in their low block, utilising the pace of substitute Dan Kelly on the counter attack. The 27 year old had a golden opportunity of his own when Brian Maher’s driven ball was placed perfectly for Kelly running in behind, before being smothered by Kearns in the Shelbourne goal.

Perhaps the biggest talking point of the second half came in the form of more referee-related drama. After booking striker John Martin for a lunge on Will Patching earlier in the half, the forward’s late challenge on Paul McMullan was waved away by Damien MacGraith. If Sam Todd’s tackle in the first half was worthy of a yellow, so too was Martin’s. The Shelbourne coaching staff knew that too, replacing the striker with former Derry man Matty Smith a minute later. All-in-all, a draw and clean sheet against the league leaders isn’t a bad result by any stretch of the imagination. The City faithful can only hope that the opportunities in the first half, coupled with the red card setback, don’t come back to bite us come November.

Derry City:

The Candystripes dug in deep against Shelbourne on Monday night, showing a side to the team that has been questioned in recent times. The attacking play was crisp throughout but when the going got tough, the defensive solidity of the Derry midfield and backline was superb. Shelbourne, who have a multitude of creative midfielders and wingers, failed to really carve out any clear goal scoring opportunities, and were penned back for most of the second half. Mark Connolly was commanding at the back whilst Cameron Dummigan was worthy of his man of the match award. The Lurgan native adapted well in shifting to right back following the red card after starting the game in midfield. Ciaran Coll was once again solid, whilst Adam O’Reilly’s energy drove Derry forward. Pat Hoban and Michael Duffy combined well, with the latter unlucky not to bag at least one. Dan Kelly troubled the left side of the Shels defence after his second half introduction.

Ruaidhrí Higgins will have been pleased to see the returns of Ronan Boyce and Jordan McEneff to the matchday squad. Boyce hasn’t started for Derry since the 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers in late May as Cameron Dummigan nailed down the right back spot. Seven or so minutes at the end of the 5-1 win over Drogheda at the end of June is the only football the 23 year old has seen since coming as a substitute against Galway United earlier in the month. Jordan McEneff faced a longer set back after breaking a bone in his foot in April and returned to the squad for the first time in almost four months on Monday night. His energy and versatility across the midfield and wide areas, which saw him contribute to 9 goals last season, could give City another dynamic in the title race. Jacob Davenport is still waiting for his first appearance in a Derry shirt. The English midfielder is Derry’s only summer signing and hasn’t played since a 3-3 draw against Swindon Town for Morecambe in League Two in late April. He could see his first minutes against Dundalk on Friday.

Dundalk:

League winners as recently as 2019, and in Europa League group stages in 2020, Dundalk’s demise has come as a warning to clubs on what not to do when you come across money and success. Probably the best League of Ireland side of the past ten years, Dundalk have found themselves in a relegation scrap with Louth neighbours Drogheda United this season. In losing all-time leading goal-scorer Pat Hoban to Derry City in the off-season, the Lilywhites’ issues off the pitch began to reflect on it. Sixteen players in the current Dundalk squad weren’t with the club last season and that seismic shift in personnel has had its impact.

Dundalk sit ninth in the table, losing 13 and drawing 8 of their 26 games. Of their five wins this term, only one has come away from home but victories over Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers show that the Lilywhites do have it in them to beat sides putting pressure on the top of the table. The loss of Pat Hoban in particular seems to have hit the Lilywhites where it hurts. They have scored just 18 goals this season, the lowest in the division. Hoban has contributed to 15 in the league alone this term. The 36 goals that Dundalk have conceded is also more than everyone aside from Drogheda in tenth. It’s a tough time to be a fan of the Oriel Park side to say the least.

Top scorer for Dundalk this term is Jamie Gullan, the 25 year old Scotsman who was signed from Raith Rovers. A dead ball specialist, Gullan opened his account on the opening day of the season with a stunning free kick in Tallaght, though he hasn’t bagged since scoring a brace against St. Pat’s in early June. Daryl Horgan, a former Republic of Ireland international, is always a threat whether playing in the centre or on the wing. He has scored four and assisted three this term, making him Dundalk’s most efficient attacking outlet. 32 on Saturday, Horgan made 17 senior international appearances between 2017 and 2021. Another former Ireland international in the Lilywhites ranks is veteran defender Andy Boyle, who picked up a single senior cap in 2017 when with Preston North End. The 33 year old is still a quality operator at this level and has helped keep six clean sheets this term.

Two impressive summer arrivals are Jad Hakiki and Aodh Dervin, signed from Shelbourne and Galway United. Both central midfielders, Hakiki’s energy and composure at 20 years old has offered the Lilywhites versatility in the midfield. Aodh Dervin scored the winner against Dundalk for Galway United earlier in the year and is a real coup in the midfield. A tough and hard-working midfielder, the 25 year old would be a good option in most Premier Division squads. 20 year old New Zealander Norman Garbett, brother of Matthew Garbett who scored the equaliser for his country against Ireland last year, is another intriguing addition. He was signed from Serie C signed Potenza in July and has featured twice this campaign. Felix Goddard was brought in on loan from Blackburn Rovers to add depth in the goalkeeping department but has struggled, conceding seven in four games.

The Louth side are winless in three domestically and have been knocked out of the FAI Cup by rivals Drogheda United. With ten games to go, and sitting only two points above the automatic relegation spot, the Lilywhites will need to string some wins together to improve their season. They play Drogheda United on the last day of the season, meaning the league winners and bottom finishing side may both not know their fate until the final day of the campaign. Derry City, who face Dundalk in Oriel Park in the third last game of the season, will be wary that their opponents will be going all out to claim some wins.

Round-up:

Failing to beat Shelbourne on Monday night may seem as opportunity missed. The Candystripes could have gone top with a win in Tolka, but the title race is far from done and dusted yet. City face a Dundalk side who haven’t beaten them in nearly two years and sit second from bottom in the division. The Lilywhites have conceded twelve in the last five games between this two, with Derry beating Dundalk 4-1 in the Brandywell earlier this term. The 0-0 draw in Oriel Park in the most recent meeting between the two was just the third scoreless draw between City and Dundalk since 2017. A win on Friday night would guarantee that Derry spend more than about fifteen minutes at the top of the table for the first time since early March, as Shelbourne don’t play until Saturday. They’re travelling to Sligo Rovers, who have won five of their last seven domestic games and sit level on points with Shamrock Rovers in third. The Bit’O’Red could do us a favour on Saturday, as a loss for Shelbourne would eliminate their three point advantage should City triumph against Dundalk. We’re down to the last ten games of the league season and it’s shaping up to be the best title race in years…

 

Pól O’Hare – 7^th August 2024

Shelbourne v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Shelbourne v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Shelbourne FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 26, Tolka Park, Monday 5^th August 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

After progressing to the next round of the FAI Cup with an impressive 3-0 win over last year’s winners St. Patrick’s Athletic, Derry City face Shelbourne in a top of the table clash that could be decisive come the end of the season. The Candystripes travel to Tolka Park second in the table and would go top on goal difference should they beat Damien Duff’s side for the first time since March 2023. Shels have the buffer of a game in hand over Derry and they would go six clear at the top if they beat City on Monday. With ten games left after this one, it could be massive come the end of the season.

Last time out – Derry City 3-0 St. Patrick's Athletic:

Derry City bounced back from their disappointing European exit at the hands of Bruno’s Magpies by putting on a show in the second half of their FAI Cup bout with St. Pat’s, eliminating the holders from the competition at the first time of asking. With Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk also knocked out, the Candystripe faithful will hope for a successful cup journey as Ruaidhrí Higgins aims for a second cup triumph of his tenure.

There wasn’t much of a buzz around the stadium pre-match. The away side had a three week rest period, whilst City had lost in extra-time in the UEFA Conference League just four days prior. There wasn’t much optimism that Derry would progress, especially knowing that history could repeat itself and see City knocked out of European and Cup competition twice in four days as had happened last August.

The away side had the best of the early opportunities, as Mark Connolly made a goal-denying clearance when he diverted Jake Mulraney’s looped ball away from the path of Tom Grivosti, who would have had an empty net to nod into. Twenty minutes in and another dangerous ball from Mulraney saw Chris Forrester side-foot the ball into the ground, just to be met by the fingertips of Brian Maher. Pats were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Axel Sjoberg pulled Michael Duffy to the ground in the box. A spot-kick finally did come on the stroke of half time when Paul McMullan proved too tricky for Sjoberg and turned the Swedish full-back, who bundled City’s number twelve to the ground. Will Patching stepped up but was denied his fourth penalty goal of the season by Joseph Anang. 0-0 at the break, but the home side were on the ascendancy.

City found the breakthrough just eight minutes into the second half, when Michael Duffy rolled back the years by knocking the ball past Sjoberg and beating him for pace before pulling it back into the box. Duffy’s cross was converted through the legs of Anang, sending the Brandywell into raptures – a much needed lift after the heartache of Thursday night. I originally thought that Danny Mullen flicked it under Anang, but from another angle it looks like it hit Grivosti last. Either way, 1-0 City.

One became two just six minutes later as Danny Mullen made sure that his name would be on the scoresheet, rising highest in the box to meet a Ben Doherty corner, grabbing his eighth of the season (I’m giving him that first goal). Michael Duffy netted one for himself on the seventy minute mark to send City through to the next round – slotting Adam O’Reilly’s through-ball under Anang after McMullan won possession from Anto Breslin. A confident second half performance from the Candystripes and a perfect response to defeat in Europe. St. Pat’s no longer have ‘cup specialists’ in their X bio, as City have been drawn away to First Division leaders Cork City in the next round. Pat’s’ recent win over Vaduz of Liechenstein in the Conference League second round was a brilliant reaction following the amount of negativity after being knocked out of the cup. They beat Vaduz 5-3 on aggregate to set up a third round bout against Sabah FK of Azerbaijan.

 

Derry City:

The Candystripes have quickly forgotten their European exit by winning that cup game against Pat’s. I had flights booked for Copenhagen before we played Magpies and went to the match in Parken last Thursday. Magpies brought about thirty fans who were shocked to see their side go 1-0 up before being outclassed by Thomas Delaney, Mohammed Elyounoussi and co. to lose 5-1. It hurt to see a near empty away end when we would have likely brought well over 1000. In reality though, that two week break when Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both played home and away in Europe might turn out to be a well needed rest to revitalise going into the business end of the season.

The transfer window in the League of Ireland has slammed shut since that game against Pat’s, with Derry City bringing in just one new player. Jacob Davenport has featured on the bench twice since joining from Morecambe, but is yet to play, assumedly due to fitness issues. Caoimhin Porter has left the club to sign for Institute permanently, whilst Ciaron Harkin has joined Coleraine on loan. I’m surprised that the club didn’t move swiftly to replace Cameron McJannet, who left in mid-June, but Higgins seems to be going with Ciaran Coll and Sam Todd as his left-sided defenders now. Coll is a solid performer and consistent when played, whilst Todd’s performance alongside Mark Connolly against St. Pat’s was his best in a Derry jersey. The defensive frailties that we’ve seen recently seemed to have been rectified against Pat’s, as the City backline kept a clean sheet for the first time since a 2-0 win over Galway United on June 7^th. A trialist played in City’s 1-1 friendly draw with Linfield last week, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see a free agent or two come in between now and the end of the month.

Ciaron Harkin has been given a contract extension going into the 2025 campaign and could play a big part next season if he comes back sharp from Coleraine. There has been no word on contract extensions for any other Derry players though, or for Ruaidhrí Higgins for that matter. I’d assume the club, and players, are waiting to see how the league and cup fights will pan out come November. Losing the likes of O’Reilly, Patching and Maher would be huge blows – especially on free transfers. I wouldn’t mind them going to England or Scotland, but losing some of our best players in recent years to rivals in Ireland could be disastrous, and I’m sure they won’t be short of approaches.

Pat Hoban’s twelve league goals still see him top of the scoring chart for the Premier Division, whilst his three assists means he has contributed to more goals than any other player in the league. Paul McMullan’s five assists has him fourth in the assist rankings. Meanwhile, Will Patching and Michael Duffy’s four assists see them joint fifth. Brian Maher also has had to make just 1.9 saves per game on average, the ninth lowest in the division – meaning his defence are doing something right. We seem to be in a good place going into this Shels game, and with some injured players scheduled to return to fitness in the coming weeks, it’s time to kick on for silverware on both league and cup fronts.

Shelbourne:

Shelbourne sit top of the table, three points clear and unbeaten in domestic action since late May, picking up four wins and a draw in their last five matches in league and cup competition. After beating Gibraltar side St. Joseph’s over two legs in the first round of the UEFA Conference League, and picking up a €21,000 fine when the Gibraltarian side took offence to Shels fans calling the rock Spanish, Shelbourne faced a tough task when drawn against Swiss giants FC Zürich. No one really expected the Dublin side to progress past a team of that magnitude, especially in their first European run in eighteen years. Zürich triumphed 3-0 in the home leg, before drawing 0-0 in Tolka Park. That draw means that Shelbourne’s unbeaten home run in Europe, dating back to 2004, will continue into next year. The Shels fans will have had great craic, but that’s an extra 180 minutes of competitive football more than Derry City have played over the past two weeks.

Shelbourne progressed to the third round of the FAI Cup after beating First Division side Bray Wanderers 1-0 two weeks ago. Damien Duff didn’t mince his words when he expressed his disappointment in the performance and manner of the win but his side will be gunning to the lift the trophy at the end of the season. They’ve been drawn at home to Galway United in the next round, not the easiest draw by any means but not the worst either. It’s difficult to predict who’ll win the cup this early, but I’d say Derry City and Shelbourne will likely be fighting deep into the competition.

The Reds’ record of just fifteen goals conceded in twenty four games is the lowest in the Premier Division, owing to a solid defence and a goalkeeper in Conor Kearns who has kept 12 clean sheets in the league. Paddy Barrett has been a rock at the back under Damien Duff but will miss the game against Derry after being sent off against Drogheda United. Another man who’ll miss Monday’s game after being sent off against Drogheda was left-back Tyreke Wilson, who has played in all but one of Shels’ games this season, making three assists and scoring once. English winger Will Jarvis, on loan from Hull City, has been Shelbourne’s most exciting attacking outlet this season. His record of eight scored and four assisted sees him the most productive player in Duff’s squad. Former Finn Harps and Shamrock Rovers striker Sean Boyd has bagged seven in the league this season and is a throwback number nine. Only seven other players have scored for Shelbourne in the league this season, with John Martin’s tally of four goals seeing him third in their scoring charts. For comparison, Derry have had 12 different goalscorers in the league and have scored more than any other team.

Shelbourne’s ‘goals for’ column reads 28 - the same as bottom side Drogheda United - putting them fifth in the table in terms of goals scored. They can certainly owe a lot of their title push to the solidity of their defensive players. Gavin Molloy had been fantastic for Shelbourne over the past few seasons, earning him a move to Aberdeen who triggered his €75,000 release clause. The 22 year old left-sided centre back went straight into the starting eleven and has already contributed to assists in wins over Dumbarton and East Kilbride in the Scottish League Cup. Molloy’s low release clause shows just how undervalued League of Ireland players are. A young, left-footed defender of similar quality in England or Scotland would have commanded a much higher fee.

Molloy was replaced by English defender Sam Bone, who was signed from Maidstone. Bone was part of the Maidstone side that reached the fifth round of the FA Cup last year and started in the win over now Premier League side Ipswich Town and loss against Coventry City. Bone netted on his European debut for Shelbourne in the second leg of their tie against St. Joseph’s, equalising the tie on the night and sending his side through on aggregate. His previous experience in the League of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s, Dundalk and Waterford means that he is an astute signing for Duff’s men and is a real presence at the back. Shelbourne will likely go defensive on Monday as a draw would still keep them three clear.

Shels had a busy transfer window, bringing in quality across the park. The additions of Ali Coote from Detroit City and Rayhaan Tulloch from Shrewsbury Town add to their already long list of wingers. Harry Wood was impressive on loan from Hull City in the second half of the 2023 campaign, and rejoined Shelbourne on a permanent deal after finishing last season with Grimsby Town. Strength in depth seems to be the way that Damien Duff is approaching the second half of the season. It’ll be interesting to see how that approach fares out, compared to the approach of Ruaidhrí Higgins who has brought in just one new addition to date.

Round-up:

After Monday’s game, Derry City will have just ten league games left in 2024. The season has flown in up until this point, with many fixtures stockpiled into the earlier stages of the campaign to avoid disruption and rescheduling as a result of European involvement. It’s verging on the territory of a must-win game for Higgins’ men, who know that a win will put them top thanks to their healthy goal-difference. Even if City win every game from here on out, Shelbourne would win the league by doing the same thanks to their game in hand. It’s a nervy time to be a Derry fan, and Shelbourne hold the advantage at this point, but the Reds’ European involvement and suspensions may see them lacking energy on Monday. 

The last five matches between these two have been draws, three 0-0s and two 1-1s. It’s always a close game, but Shelbourne haven’t beaten Derry City since April 2022. In fact, March 2012 was the last time Shelbourne defeated the Candystripes in Tolka Park. City have won six of their last eight games, whilst Shelbourne haven’t lost domestically since May. The classic squeaky bum time is upon us, knowing that a Shelbourne win would need to see them slip up three times between now and November to lose the league. The last game of the season is the next time these two meet after Monday and this one could go a long way in determining who’ll lift the title in the Brandywell on the 1^st of November.

 

Pól O’Hare – 3^rd August 2024

Derry City v St. Patrick’s Athletic: FAI Cup Match Preview

 

Derry City v St. Patrick’s Athletic: FAI Cup Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v St. Patrick’s Athletic FC, Sports Direct FAI Cup Second Round, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Sunday 21^st July 2024, kick-off 6pm

Derry City need to quickly forget about Thursday’s extra-time defeat to Bruno’s Magpies in the UEFA Conference League, as they aim to get their FAI Cup campaign off to a positive start against the holders. Evan de Haro’s extra-time sucker punch inflicted a blow on the Candystripes that will deny them around €300k and a double-header against FC Copenhagen. It also means that Ruaidhrí Higgins will have a fatigued squad going into Sunday’s cup game. St Patrick’s Athletic travel to the Brandywell for the second year in a row, hoping for a repeat of last August’s action which saw them knock Derry City out of the cup on penalties – just four days after City suffered the same fate in Europe.

Last time out: Derry City 2-0 Bruno’s Magpies (2-3 agg.):

It was a case of ‘so close yet so far’ for the Candystripes on Thursday night, as they crashed out of Europe at the first hurdle. Going into the game 2-0 down from the previous leg, Derry City had it all to do to qualify for the second round and face Danish giants FC Copenhagen.

The game started exactly as expected. Derry City began on the front-foot and Magpies immediately had everyone behind the ball. A couple of early opportunities for the away side saw Javier Forjan head one off the post and Ash Taylor head wide from a corner – but those were Magpies best opportunities of the first half. The first of a number of refereeing blunders took place as the City faithful celebrated what they thought was the first goal. Paul McMullan’s ball into the box was met by the head of Pat Hoban and directed into the bottom corner as he outmuscled Francisco Zuniga. The Magpies captain fell to the ground, before putting his hands to face in apparent discomfort just as he watched the ball nestle in the corner. The Andorran ref deemed Hoban’s header illegal, ruling out the goal and booking the City striker.

The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes later as Mark Connolly nodded Ben Doherty’s corner past Dayle Coleing to narrow the aggregate gap to one. The referee couldn’t stop Derry City’s goal this time. As the crowd rose to the occasion and Derry mounted  pressure late in the first half, Doherty found Adam O’Reilly who was making a darting run into the box. A trailing leg from Carlos Garcia saw O’Reilly downed in the area. Perhaps not a blatant penalty, but there was certainly contact between the two players. Not enough contact for the referee though, who showed the City midfielder a second yellow for diving – City inexplicably down to ten going into half-time.

Despite the man disadvantage, Derry again came out flying in the second half as Paul McMullan stung the fingertips of Coleing just a minute into the half. Twelve minutes after the restart and City found themselves level in the tie. After his header came off Will Patching on the goal-line, Pat Hoban stabbed in to put Derry 2-0 up in the Brandywell. Ten man City finally felt that the chance of progression was there. An audacious Will Patching free kick in the 72^nd minute had Coleing scrambling as the ball landed on top of the net. Six minutes later and Magpies should have really found themselves ahead on aggregate as Kevagn Ronco squared to Edu Salles in the box. The latter blazing over from short range. City found themselves in a similar situation just minutes later, as Paul McMullan had the whole goal to aim at following Danny Mullen’s pull-back but sent the ball flying wide.

2-0 City at 90 minutes meant that extra-time was needed to settle the tie. With tired legs in both camps, the rhythm of the game was disrupted and the affair became a scrappy one. There weren’t many clear cut chances in the first half of ET, but when Juanje’s shot from distance rattled the crossbar on the 111^th minute before landing at the feet of Evan de Haro, Magpies found themselves with a golden opportunity. The 21 year old made no mistake, drilling under Brian Maher and giving the away side the advantage once again. Three minutes later and City had another penalty claim waved away when Will Patching was felled after a volley goalwards. Another ‘no’ from the Andorran ref. City’s heartbreak was compounded five minutes before the end, when Coleing spilled the ball at the feet of Pat Hoban, who’s overhead kick was cleared off the line by Ash Taylor. Colm Whelan came painfully close with a volley in the 120^th minute, but the team from Gibraltar clung on and progressed for the first time in their history to host FC Copenhagen next Thursday.

 

Derry City:

It was a heartbreaking evening for Derry City who, on another day, could have had four or five in normal time alone. The disallowed goal and dismissal of Adam O’Reilly in the first half were two huge turning points, and both very dubious calls from the referee. The fact that Derry fought back to score again and take the game to extra-time despite being a man down, as well as dominating possession throughout, showed the resolve of the group. In honesty though, the damage was done in Gibraltar last week. If it was 1-0 rather than 2-0, I have no doubts that we would’ve gone through in the second leg.

Pat Hoban, who was well marshalled in the first leg, caused the Magpies back-line a lot of issues on Thursday night and was deserving of his goal. Paul McMullan ran and ran all game, still tracking back and making forward runs deep into extra-time. The winger really should have scored in the second half but was still the best player on the pitch. Colm Whelan was unlucky not to score late on, whilst Will Patching and Cameron Dummigan plugged the Adam O’Reilly shaped gap in the midfield well following the 23 year old’s red card.  

Neither Ciaron Harkin nor Ronan Boyce were in the squad for either of the games against Magpies, but I feel that they both could have done well last night. If Boyce was on the bench, he could have been brought on at right back to allow Cameron Dummigan to play in the midfield after the sending off. Ciaron Harkin’s tenacity would have boded well in extra-time, especially considering that Sadou Diallo was caught on the ball more than once after coming on late in the second half.

Ciarán Coll had a solid game playing as the left sided centre back, a role I’d like to see him given more-often between now and the end of the season. Even at that, though, we could still definitely do with another defender to replace Cameron McJannet. McJannet’s last game was on the 13^th of June, five weeks ago, and he is still yet to be replaced. Jacob Davenport, our only summer signing, has yet to feature despite being on the bench twice. His fresh legs and set-piece ability could have been useful against Magpies. I’d say we’ll see him on Sunday against St.Pat’s. Should we beat Pat’s, we would certainly need reinforcements to strengthen the squad coming into the second half of the season. The contracts of a number of key players, namely Adam O’Reilly, Brian Maher, Will Patching, Mark Connolly and Patrick McEleney run out in November. I’d hope that talks are ongoing in the background, and don’t blame the players for assessing their options, but it’s concerning that we could lose our best and most valuable players on free transfers in a few months’ time.

St Patrick’s Athletic:

St Pat’s have had quite the up-and-down season. After spending big and making some impressive moves in the transfer market prior to the season beginning, the Inchicore side have failed to nail down a consistent run of form in the league. Now Dundalk manager Jon Daly was sacked in May and replaced by Stephen Kenny in one of the biggest managerial appointments in Irish domestic football history. The man who won six trophies with Derry City in two spells between 2004 and 2011 made his return to the League of Ireland after a five-and-a-half year hiatus with the Irish U21s then senior men’s national team, in a home match against the Candystripes on the 17^th of May. Paul McMullan’s goal gave the visitors all three points that day, as the ‘new manager bounce’ didn’t quite go to plan for the Pat’s faithful.

Stephen Kenny has only won three matches since taken over in Richmond Park, beating Shamrock Rovers and Galway United in the league, alongside a win over Bray Wanderers in the Leinster Senior Cup. St Patrick’s find themselves seventh in the league, six points above the relegation zone but, much like Derry City, the sides around them have the advantage of games in hand. Only Pat’s and Derry have played 25 games this season. Bohemians, who are one place and two points behind St. Pat’s have played just 22, meaning they have a three game buffer on the team above them. Finding themselves embroiled in a relegation scrap at this stage of the season would signal quite the failure in expectation for Pat’s this season.

The FAI Cup, which Kenny has won three times and been runner up four times, offers the Dubliner and his side something of a blank canvas to get their season back on track. After beating Derry on penalties in the Brandywell in the Third Round last year, St. Pat’s progressed past Finn Harps and Cork City on their way to sweeping Dublin rivals Bohemians aside in the final. Last year’s 3-1 final win marked Pat’s’ second FAI Cup win in three seasons as they beat Bohemians again in 2021. That win in 2021 was their first FAI Cup triumph since defeating Derry City 2-0 in the 2014 edition of the final, and that was their first FAI Cup final win since 1961. A win against the Candystripes in the Second Round this year would be the beginning of what Stephen Kenny would hope to be a successful FAI Cup campaign but would also mean that Derry City have failed to progress past the Third Round since winning the trophy in 2022.

Pat’s three summer signings so far seem to be shrewd business. Al-Amin Kazeem, the full back who was on loan at Galway United from Colchester United, saw his contract with the English side expire alongside his loan deal in Galway. The Tribesmen made it known that they offered Kazeem a permanent contract which was declined as the player wanted to return to England. A few days later and the 22 year old was announced as a St Patrick’s Athletic player on a multi-year contract –ouch if you’re a Galway United fan. Joseph Anang, the English goalkeeper who spent half a season on-loan at St Pat’s in 2022 before leaving for Derby County, was the Saints’ second summer arrival. The 24 year old, who was named on the West Ham United bench on numerous occasions in the Premier League, Europa League and FAI Cup in the past few seasons in West London put pen to paper on a deal keeping him at Richmond Park until the end of the 2026 campaign. Anang came straight into the starting eleven in Pat’s’ last game, a 1-0 loss away to Waterford, ousting fellow Englishman Danny Rogers who held the fort between the sticks since early March. On his first start in two years for the Saints, Anang failed to deal with Ben McCormack’s shot and palmed the ball into his own net for the only goal of the game, but his performances in 2022 show the makings of a quality goalkeeper. Zack Elbouzedi, formerly of Waterford and Ireland’s U21 side, signed just last week and could make his debut on Sunday. The 26 year old winger spent the second half of last season on-loan at Swindon Town from AIK Stockholm, where he scored twice in 52 appearances since 2021. Another impressive addition to the squad in Inchicore.

Former Derry City and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Brandon Kavanagh, who was signed from the Candystripes for about £25k in January, has been Pat’s best attacking outlet this year. The 23 year old has scored twice and assisted seven in the league, seeing him top the assist chart for the Premier Division. Ruairí Keating, brought in from Cork City, has scored just four times in 22 appearances this campaign. 16 year old forward Mason Melia is one to watch though – the Ireland U17 international has scored three times this season and is reportedly a target of Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton. St. Patrick’s Athletic have struggled in front of goal this season though. Their 24 goals scored is the same amount scored by bottom side Drogheda United. Only three other sides, Dundalk, Bohemians and Galway, have scored less this season. That isn’t helped when you look at Pat’s’ goals conceded column, which reads 28 – a stat which means they’ve conceded the joint highest number of goals outside of the two teams in the relegation zone.

When Derry City face St. Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday, the away side won’t have played a competitive game in more than three weeks as their FAI Cup final win last year saw them progress straight into the Second Round of Conference League qualifiers. They’ll face Vaduz, who finished third in the Liechtenstein Challenge League last season, at home next Thursday before travelling away the week after. The Inchicore side, therefore, will be fresh coming into Sunday’s game – something which can’t be said for Derry City, who are just off the back of more than 270 minutes of football in a week against FC Bruno’s Magpies.

Round-up:

These two have produced some memorable cup moments over the years. Pat’s’ win last season marked a week in which Derry City’s cup and European dreams were ended, both in penalty defeats, in a space of four days. Higgins and his side will be heart-set on making sure history can’t repeat itself. Back in 2018, Gerard Doherty saved a penalty with the last kick of the game to send Derry City to the quarter-finals, whilst Derry City beat Pat’s in the final in 2012 before the Inchicore side got their own back in 2014. The 2006 final beaten the Candystripes and the Saints has been dubbed the best FAI Cup final of all time, as Derry won the game in extra-time after going behind three times to win in the last ever match played in the old Lansdowne Road.

There’s history between these two, but Derry have claimed the bragging rights in the four occasions these two have met since that penalty defeat last year, namely beating Pat’s 3-0 on the final day of the 2023 campaign and scoring a 92nd minute winner to win 2-1 back in March. Danny Mullen has scored three times against the Inchicore side already this season. With Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk both put out on Friday night, both City and Pats will fancy their chances to go all the way. Cup football is back for 2024, as the winners of the last two editions go head-to-head at the first time of asking this time round. It’s good, old-fashioned Sunday evening football as both sides look to begin their cup campaigns with a win.

Pól O’Hare – 20^th July 2024

Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. FC Bruno’s Magpies, UEFA Conference League, First Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 18^th July 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

In a result that some have called the ‘worst in League of Ireland European history’, Derry City fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar. The Candystripes were outdone by two headers from set-pieces in the second half as they struggled to put their opponents to the sword in 30C+ heat. City now need to win by a margin of at least three goals on Thursday to progress to a Second Round glamour tie against FC Copenhagen.

 

Last time out – Bruno’s Magpies 2-0 Derry City:

In a hot Europa Point Stadium, Derry City failed to make their mark as they faced opposition from Gibraltar for the first time. Bruno’s Magpies, who have never progressed passed the First Round of European qualifying, netted from two set pieces in the second half as Derry’s recent defensive frailties were once again brought to the fore.

The game didn’t start too badly. Adam O’Reilly had struck the crossbar within the first ten minutes, whilst a Dan Kelly effort which went under goalkeeper Dayle Coleing was cleared off the line. As the half wore on, the away side seemed to struggle in the sun and the home side grew into the game. 

Just four minutes after the restart, the deadlock was broken. After a poor pass across the backline by Paul McMullan, Javier Forjan picked the ball up before forcing Brian Maher into a finger-tip save to deny the Spanish striker. The resulting corner was met by Welsh defender Ash Taylor who rose above Shane McEleney at the back-post to nod past Maher, bagging himself a debut goal and putting his side into the lead. Less than ten minutes later, English forward Jack Storer took it past both Derry centre-halves in the box before firing over from 12 yards – that really should have doubled Magpies’ advantage. That eventually did happen on the 82^nd minute. Another floating ball in from a free kick was met by Francisco Zuñiga who put the game to bed. An awful result for the Candystripes, especially considering the efforts made by the 250 travelling supporters who made their way to the Europa Point Stadium, and the dozens more who travelled to Gibraltar. Next week needs to be much better if Derry City are to progress.

 

Derry City:

Derry City’s lack of clinical edge cost them last week. Dan Kelly found joy running in behind the Magpies left back and could have had two for himself with a bit more accuracy in his finishing. In saying that, Pat Hoban was well marshalled by Taylor and Zuñiga in the Magpies backline and had no clear cut opportunities. Will Patching was unlucky that his neat footwork didn’t result in an assist throughout the match as well.

As was our downfall against Sligo Rovers two weeks ago, the lapses in concentration from Derry’s defenders cost two goals in Gibraltar. To concede two from set pieces with two centre halves as usually aerially dominant as Mark Connolly and Shane McEleney will have been extremely disappointing for Ruaidhrí Higgins. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sam Todd or Ciarán Coll start on Thursday in order to have a left-footed centre back in the starting eleven to fill the gap left by the departure of Cameron McJannet earlier in the summer. The sooner we replace the English defender the better, as a solid defence will be key between now and the end of the season.

We really have nothing to lose on Thursday. We’ve already received stick from all quarters of Irish football after the loss last week, so playing cautious and failing to go all-out-attack in the Brandywell won’t do us any favours. If I was Ruaidhrí Higgins I’d go for a good old-fashioned 4-4-2, with Danny Mullen partnering Pat Hoban up top, before introducing Colm Whelan from the bench. Starting that way would mean sacrificing a centre midfielder, but if we were to go 2-0 up relatively early on, the introduction of Sadou Diallo or Jacob Davenport from the bench would sure up the midfield. Michael Duffy, if he’s fit, would likely start, whilst Daniel Kelly may be preferred to Paul McMullan on the right flank after the Dubliner found himself in good positions last week. The big Brandywell pitch, and lack of sun, will favour Derry, but Magpies will likely put everyone behind the ball and make it extremely difficult for City to break them down. It’ll be a nervy watch, but a rocking Brandywell could get us over the line, as it did with KuPS and HB Tórshavn last year.

 

Bruno’s Magpies:

It seemed like Bruno’s Magpies had a gameplan against City last week, and it worked. Solid at the back and a threat from set pieces. Their physicality in the defence kept Pat Hoban quiet whilst they were dangerous playing in from the wings. Jack Storer really should’ve scored, whilst Javier Forjan and Carlos Garcia looked impressive pulling the strings. The team from Gibraltar will likely have the same approach next week, setting up a strong, physical back-line and holding on to their two goal lead. They know that just one goal in the Brandywell will probably send them through, as City would then need four to progress.

Despite being part-time, Magpies have players who came through the ranks at well respected LaLiga sides, and players with experience in England and Scotland. Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar’s most successful team with 27 league titles, beat Celtic in Champions League qualifiers in 2016-17. They also beat Riga in the Conference League play-offs in 2021-22 to progress the group stages. Derry City really *should* be getting past Magpies on paper, but this is a team with international players and a point to prove – a team who deserve to be respected, something Derry may not have fully done last Thursday.

Magpies made it difficult in their home legs against Crusaders and Dundalk in the past two years. They beat Crusaders and held Dundalk to a scoreless draw in Gibraltar, so they definitely knew that they could play their own game with the sun on their side. Magpies lost both of the return legs against Crusaders and Dundalk 3-1, showing that the sides from Ireland had more joy in their own stadiums. A 3-1 win for Derry would take the game to extra-time, something which would be nerve-wracking but could prove vital in clawing back the tie. Magpies are also in pre-season, so extra-time would likely the suit the Candystripes who, in theory, should be at their fittest stage of the campaign. It won’t be straight-forward at all next week but both teams will have sussed each other out a bit more and it may prove to be a more expansive match. The last time Derry City overturned a two goal deficit in Europe was 59 years ago, when they beat Lyn Oslo 5-1 in the Brandywell after losing the first leg 5-3. That win just happened to be City’s first in European competition.

Round-up:

Last Thursday’s result was very tough to take, there’s no doubt about it, but turning round a 2-0 goal deficit isn’t impossible. An early goal for City would open the tie up, whilst we can play with the Brandywell atmosphere on our side. That atmosphere after scoring against KuPS last season is the best I’ve seen here in years and could prove pivotal in getting a result. A trip to Copenhagen would be huge for both sides, and is surely an attractive prospect for the players. To throw in the towel and let Magpies have the win without putting up a fight would be a disaster, so we should at least set out fighting from the start. It’s St. Pat’s in the cup on Sunday after this, and we don’t want our European and Cup aspirations for the season going up in smoke in the space of four days like it did in 2023. A big win on Thursday could do wonders for our season, but it won’t come easy.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16^TH July 2024

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