Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (July 25)

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 24, Sligo Showgrounds, Saturday 12^th July 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Following Derry City’s seven goal annihilation of Waterford on Friday, the Candystripes face a trip to north-west rivals Sligo Rovers on Saturday, hoping to close the gap to the top. Last Friday’s victory over Waterford was the highest scoring game of the Premier Division season and the first time City scored seven in three years. Derry, as the form team in the league, travel to a Sligo side who held Shamrock Rovers last week and knowing that the Showgrounds has proved a difficult host in the recent past.

Derry City:

Last Friday’s win over Waterford really needs no introduction. After losing 2-1 in both previous games against the Blues this year, Tiernan Lynch knew his side needed a big win to break that curse and continue the winning run. That’s exactly what they did. I’ll try to make my recap brief, but I have to apologise in advance if I get carried away.

Within just five minutes, the home side had the deadlock broken. A brilliant switch from Mark Connolly found Ronan Boyce high and wide. Boyce squared it to Gavin Whyte and, when most other players would go for goal, put the ball on a plate for Liam Boyce to smash into the top corner. A quality goal from City to get off the mark.

A Mark Connolly header hit the crossbar just two minutes after the opener, but on the 24th minute Liam Boyce had bagged his brace. Michael Duffy surged down the left flank and slid the ball across the box unchallenged. Boyce was on hand to double City’s lead via a deflected effort – more slick football from the home side.

On the 36^th minute, Derry made it three. After some pinballing on the edge of the box, Michael Duffy laid the ball to Sadou Diallo. City’s number 15 had only one thing on his mind, to put his laces through it. The ball subsequently rocketed off the crossbar and in, giving the City fans a goal of the season contender to match. One of the best goals I’ve seen live, and it had the home side in cruise control. Five minutes before half time saw Michael Duffy bag a hat-trick of assists when his corner was directed into the net via the forehead of Mark Connolly. 4-0 and a first of the season for the big centre back.

Waterford’s main man Pádraig Amond capitalised on a defensive error from Hayden Cann to slide the ball under Brian Maher to pull one back for the away side four minutes into the second half, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished just a further four minutes after that. Gavin Whyte swept a sumptuous ball into the path of Michael Duffy who chopped it into his weak foot to shrug off the covering defender before slotting past Brad Wade for City’s fifth. A deserved goal to add to his three assists, as five star Derry ran riot.

To add to Michael Duffy’s trio of assists, Liam Boyce bagged his first hattrick in City colours five minutes later. Gavin Whyte delivered a dangerous ball into the box, which was poked expertly home by the veteran striker. That put Boyce up to eight in terms of goals this season and was his first hattrick since April 2021, when he scored three in a 6-0 win for Hearts against Alloa Athletic. It also meant that Gavin Whyte bagged himself a hattrick of assists. Christ we’re good.

Six became seven on the 73^rd minute when Michael Duffy jinked down the left wing before playing the ball to Gavin Whyte, who took one touch before firing into the bottom corner. A goal to add to his three assists as City thumped Waterford. Two absolutely fantastic players showcasing their talent at the peak of their powers, we really are lucky to have Duffy and Whyte in our team.

Waterford did pull another back before the end as Pádraig Amond found the bottom corner to see him become the first player in the Premier Division to break the ten goal barrier. Despite defensive lapses for both Waterford goals, we really can’t be complaining. According to @StattoLOI on X, Duffy is the first player since Graham Burke in 2020 to record five goal involvements in one Premier Division game. Prior to Friday night, the last Derry player to record four goal involvements was Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe in June 2019 and, six years later, we had two players to it in one night.

Michael Duffy’s performances were duly rewarded with the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month award for June after standout performances. It’s his first time winning it since 2018 and his victory makes him the first Derry City player since Jordan McEneff in February 2023 to be named the Player of the Month. Derry’s number 7 will be hoping to make it back-to-back awards in July following another immense performance against Waterford.

I said I’d try not to get carried away, but this is one of the most entertaining sides I’ve seen in my time watching Derry. They turn defensive to attack in a heartbeat, going forward with energy and purpose. The forward line have found that clinical streak and blown a side away. I’ve been saying we’d click and it’s finally come. That’s 12 goals scored and 2 conceded in the last four games for Tiernan Lynch’s men. Michael Duffy’s eight goals and seven assists has him on 15 goal involvements for the year, more than any other player. Liam Boyce has joined him on 8 goals now too. Boyce in the Better Land back in full swing.

Now nine points behind Shamrock Rovers at the top, Derry City go into their two games in hand and FAI Cup opener on full confidence. With new signing Adam Frizzell handed a debut last week, and some rotational players getting a runout in Sunday’s 2-2 draw away to Cliftonville, we have a fit and firing squad with quality throughout. Alex Bannon also made his first appearance for City last Sunday. English striker Dipo Akinyemi joined the Candystripes on a long term contract from York City on Wednesday and adds yet more quality to the attack. Yes Sir Akinyemi will be getting a run out very soon.

The players have bought into Tiernan Lynch’s tactics and that 5-2-3 formation has been working wonders. Sadou Diallo’s wondergoal was deserving following his recent good form, while words can’t really describe Michael Duffy and Gavin Whyte these days. With our closest away trip coming on a Saturday, for the second time this year, the City faithful will travel to Sligo in their numbers, hoping for a repeat of March’s and May’s victories.

Sligo Rovers:

After a mid-tabled finish last year, 2025 hasn’t been quite so kind to Sligo Rovers. After 22 games, the Bit’O’Red find themselves in the relegation zone, seven points adrift of safety. That ninth place is one of uncertainty, as the club finishing there has the buffer of a play-off spot but isn’t quite comfortable with regards to staying up.

That’s the predicament which Sligo Rovers find themselves in. They’re five points clear of Cork City, who have won just twice all season and look to be in turmoil off the pitch. That gap to Waterford in eighth looks like it could be a bridge too far for the Connacht side, but it’s a battle they’re willing to take.

Operating on a relatively tight budget, and having to deal with the yearly onslaught of a heavily changing squad going into the new campaign, it could be that the number of new faces is the cause for Rovers’ inconsistency. They’ve picked up points in consecutive games just three times this year. When you combine that with the fact that John Russell’s side have lost more games than anyone else in the Premier Division, you can see the size of the task at hand.

Sligo Rovers have lost at least once to eight out of the other nine teams in the division this year, the only exception being relegation zone neighbours Cork City, with whom they drew twice. With the third most goals conceded (39), the upcoming transfer window will be key in Rovers’ fight for survival.

Said window didn’t get off to a brilliant start, losing key fullback Reece Hutchinson to League Two side Crewe Alexandra. The attacking left-footer scored three and assisted twice for Sligo in 2025, who will net his former side a healthy fee after the English club activated his release clause.

Hutchinson has been replaced by former Derry City man Patrick McClean, who returns to the Showgrounds on an 18 month deal after six years at Glentoran. The 28 year old can play in central defence or at fullback and has experience captaining the Glens. He has been joined by 23 year old Englishman Seb Quirk, who made 41 appearances for Accrington Stanley since signing from Everton in January 2023.

Hutchinson’s departure was followed by two further shrewd incomings. First was 20 year old midfielder James McManus, who joined on-loan from Bohemians after making 12 appearances for the Gypsies this term. He’s a deep-lying midfielder who will hope that a successful spell on the west coast can forge him a spot back in the Bohemians team.

The second arrival from north Dublin came in the form of Ryan O’Kane, on loan from Shelbourne. The quick winger impressed at Dundalk after joining from Warrenpoint Town in 2021. He was one of Shelbourne's first signings of their title defending season but made just five appearances this term. Still just 21, O’Kane has played in almost 120 career matches and adds to an already energetic attack of Wilson Waweru, Francely Lomboto and Owen Elding.

Speak of the devil, Owen Elding is perhaps the hottest property in the League of Ireland at the minute. At just 19, he’s scored eight goals in the Premier Division this term, starting 21 of his side’s 23 games. They aren’t just regular goals either, he’s scored absolute rockets against Bohemians and Shelbourne. He’s a serious player, who’s eligibility to play for the Irish national underage sides is believed to be at the final stages. I remember his father playing for both Sligo Rovers and Derry City, which makes me feel quite old. I don’t want to focus too much on Anthony Elding, but I did some digging and found out that he did actually play in goal for Derry after Gerard Doherty and Shaun Patton got injured in a match against Galway United in 2015. I knew I wasn’t going mad, he made a brilliant stop if I remember right too.

With eight league goals, Owen Elding is Sligo’s main man this year. Francely Lomboto is tied with Jad Hakiki on four, whilst Reece Hutchinson and former Derry striker Cian Kavanagh have three each. Will Fitzgerald’s six assists highlights the winger’s threat down the left flank.

Sligo Rovers’ midfield is certainly deserving of a higher league placing on quality alone. Former Hibernian midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes was a marquee signing, joining Conor Malley, who attracted interest from Shamrock Rovers following a standout 2024 in the middle of the park. Malley hasn’t hit those heights this year, but the energy of Jad Hakiki and now James McManus add more legs into the centre of the park. 18 year old Guilherme Priosti recently signed his first professional contract, while youngsters Kyle McDonagh and Daire Patton have been given first team involvement.

Sam Sargeant, signed from Waterford to replace McGinty, has been Rovers’ first choice this year, although 20 year Conor Walsh made six appearances earlier in the campaign. Sargeant made some brilliant saves to deny Shamrock Rovers last weekend. 18 year olds Conor Reynolds and Gareth McElroy have made 17 and 18 appearances as Russell has gone for a youthful backline. The experience of John Mahon and Patrick McClean will be welcomed in their fight for survival.

Sligo Rovers will hope that City’s 1-0 win in the Showgrounds in March was a blip in their impressive home record against the Candystripes. That win was City’s first there since 2021, while dropped points at the Showgrounds in the past couple of years have been costly. With just thirteen games remaining, Sligo will be desperate for points wherever they can get them. Going 2-0 up against Shamrock Rovers last week, before holding on for a draw, may give them the confidence they need to pull off a result on Saturday.

Round-up:

Derry City travel to Sligo Rovers on Saturday as the form team in the league, on a four game winning streak having scored twelve in that time. The Showgrounds haven’t given the Candystripes such joy in the past few years though. City have won just once in their last eight visits to the Yeats Country, with March’s 1-0 win marking their first victory there since August 2021.

Three of the four meetings in 2024 between City and Rovers were draws, while the Bit’O’Red bagged an 89^th minute winner to claim all three points in the other game. This year, City have won both games against Sligo Rovers, scoring four and keeping two clean sheets. Tiernan Lynch will be desperate for his side to continue that streak in their hunt for Europe, and even the title. It’s a Saturday trip to the west coast whilst City are in great form, not to mention it’s meant to be pushing 30C. Viva summer football.

Pól O’Hare – 9^th July 2025

Derry City v Waterford: Match Preview (July 2025)

Derry City FC v Waterford FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 23, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 4^th July 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Derry City have climbed to second place in the Premier Division table after a comfortable 3-0 win over European rivals Drogheda United. In one of the side’s most impressive performances of the year, the Candystripes dominated and cruised to their joint-highest victory of the season. Up next is Waterford in the Ryan McBride Brandywell, a side who lost narrowly to Shamrock Rovers last week, but have won just one of their last seven.

Derry City:

Heading into Friday night one point behind opponents Drogheda United, there was a worry that the notoriously hard-to-beat Louth side could put an end to City’s two game winning streak. United were unbeaten against City this season, winning 3-1 and drawing 1-1 earlier in the campaign. With a frustrating few results against Drogheda, of course including the cup final defeat, Derry were out to for a statement win.

A statement win was exactly what we got. The home side were the fastest out of the blocks, piling on the pressure and playing some neat football. City’s closest opportunity in the opening stages of the first half came when Kevin Holt nodded a Michael Duffy cross narrowly wide.

Duffy did eventually turn provider for the Candystripes after a neat corner routine saw him float a ball into the box. Sam Todd rose highest to nod into the corner of the goal and find the back of the net, a deserved goal for one of the club’s standout performers this season. That goal was Derry City’s 1000^th in league action and got them up and running against Drogheda.

Within three minutes, City’s advantage was doubled. Gavin Whyte threaded a pass through the middle which, when deftly flicked by Liam Boyce, found Michael Duffy one on one with Luke Dennison. City’s number seven rounded the American goalkeeper, but his shot from an awkward angle was cleared off the line – and into the path of Ronan Boyce. The right back calmly poked home to make it 2-0 to the Candystripes. Two goals in four minutes undoing the visitors.

Brian Maher made a brilliant one handed save when Thomas Oluwa found an angle for a shot, whilst City were denied a third goal by the linesman’s flag on the stroke of half time. It would’ve been a brilliant goal too, as Carl Winchester latched onto an inch perfect Gavin Whyte through-ball before finding the bottom corner. A standing ovation met the home side going into the break.

Conor Keeley, who scored twice for Drogheda on their last visit to the Brandywell, came closest for the travelling side in the second half. He volleyed narrowly wide in an identical situation to one of his last goals in Derry. Drogheda pushed for a goal as the second half went on, bringing the technical Darragh Markey and imposing forward Dare Kareem off the bench, but failed to do so and were punished by a Derry third in injury time. Michael Duffy’s shot at Luke Dennison was parried into the path of substitute Danny Mullen, who prodded home for his sixth of the season on the 95^th minute.

I don’t want to sound too reactionary, but the win over Drogheda on Friday was one of the best performances I’ve seen from Derry City in a long time. The first half, in particular, was a real peak in the Tiernan Lynch era. The passing was crisp, the movement was smart and the fluidity in the front line caused Drogheda’s usually solid defence real problems. Gavin Whyte and Michael Duffy’s positional freedom in floating into the middle from wide areas created space and got the most out of the side’s two best technical players.

Similarly, Ronan Boyce’s licence to move centrally from right fullback when going forward was a smart tactical decision from Lynch. Sam Todd, naturally a centre back, has really come into his own on the left of a back five following Ben Doherty’s injury. He’s got quick feet and always looks to go forward, whilst his physicality offers something different for City in the forward areas.

I could pick every Derry player on the pitch for praise as not one man put a foot wrong. I’d like to highlight Sadou Diallo in particular, though. His arm injury three months ago really hampered his start to the season, but he has made that role in deep midfield his own since returning two weeks ago. His performances have kept the ever-present Adam O’Reilly out of the starting eleven. Diallo’s passing range, understanding of the game and calm nature in the heart of midfield has complimented the playing style of Carl Winchester well.           

With the transfer window opening on July 1^st, Derry City have been active in the market already. Adam Frizzell, who was named alongside Kevin Holt in the SPFL Championship Team of the Year in 2023-24, will be eligible to play on Friday night following his arrival from Aidrieonians. Scottish defender Alex Bannon was a teammate of Adam Frizzell in Airdrie last season and will join his former colleague at the Brandywell. He’s joined on loan from Burton Albion, one of new Head of Recruitment Michael Mackin’s recommendations. Mackin was previously Head of Analysis at Burton. Leaving the club is Paul McMullan, who always gave 100% and notched 22 goal involvements in two years at the club. He’s returned to Scotland to sign for Raith Rovers.

Now second in the league, as Danny Mullen’s injury time goal meant that Derry went one goal ahead of Bohemians in terms of goal difference, the City faithful will be eager to see the three game winning run continue. Grinding out two 1-0 wins in difficult venues, before comfortably beating a direct rival, is the perfect way to kick-off a busy summer period before the business end of the season gets going. It’s not only three wins in a row for City, it’s three clean sheets too. Tiernan Lynch will hope for nothing else but victory against Waterford on Friday.

Waterford:

Now in their second season back in the top flight, Waterford’s main aim will be to keep a healthy distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The Blues’ up-and-down season, which has seen Keith Long replaced by John Coleman as manager, sees the Munster side sitting 8^th. Judging by their stats, that’s about right too. Their number of losses is the worst outside of the relegation zone, as is their goals scored and goals conceded columns. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as the buffer to ninth is nine points.

Waterford began the season by losing eight of their first eleven games. A seven game losing streak, in which they scored just twice and conceded sixteen, was ended by a deserved 2-1 win over Derry City in in late April. That victory triggered a four game winning streak, but Waterford have won only once since that streak came to an end in a 3-1 loss at home to Shamrock Rovers in mid-May.

Waterford have clearly been working on becoming harder to beat. They scored late on to equalise away to St Pat’s, conceded a stoppage time equaliser at home to Drogheda and provided the entertainment in a thrilling draw with Shelbourne recently. Their 1-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers last week came via a defensive error. The amount of goals shipped (35) is a concern, although the new manager has injected a bit of doggedness to the size. If it wasn’t for some brilliance by Bohemians goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka in their 2-1 win over high flying Bohemians two weeks ago, the Blues could’ve had three or four. As the transfer window opens, Waterford will be keen to add to the squad to consolidate their Premier Division status.

Despite scoring just 24 goals this season, it’s in attacking areas where the Munster side are most impressive. The trio of Pádraig Amond, Tom Lonergan and Conan Noonan provide a balanced mix of youth, energy and clinical finishing. Amond has bagged eight in the league so far, assisting a further two. Lonergan and Noonan both sit on seven each in terms of combined goals and assists. The contribution of those three is vital. The only worry for Waterford is the fact that both Noonan and Lonergan are on loan from Shamrock Rovers and Fleetwood Town, whilst Amond is 37 and has a contract expiring next year. Big boots to fill in the near future.

6’7” Dutch forward Maarten Pouwels is yet to score this season, although offers a different prospect off the bench. Waterford have a few interesting names in their side too. Full back Navajo Bakboord is a Suriname international who made twenty starts in the Dutch Eredivisie last year. Fleetwood Town loanee goalkeeper Stephen McMullan was recently called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad at 20 years of age following an impressive start to life in Munster, whilst Rowan McDonald, James Olayinka and Trae Coyle are former Manchester City and Arsenal academy graduates.

With two wins from two against Derry City this year, Waterford will hope to extend their impressive record against the Candystripes on Friday. Scoring four against City this term, all four from different scorers, shows that the Blues cannot be written off. Scoring eight in their last six matches, it seems like John Coleman’s Waterford side are beginning to mould. Most recently finishing 17^th in League Two as manager of Gillingham, Coleman has a cracker interview highlight reel. Aside from saying his keeper put on weight because he had such little to do against Shelbourne a couple of weeks ago, he’s questioned the very meaning of life whilst at Accrington Stanley. He seems good craic away from the pitch.

Round-up:

Derry City have had a mixed bag in terms of results against Waterford since their return to the top flight last season. In 2024, City won all four of their league games against the Blues with a remarkable record of nine scored and zero conceded. 2025 has been quite the opposite, with Waterford winning both previous meetings 2-1.

The Candystripes have been victorious in eight of the last ten meetings between these two in the Brandywell, going back to 2019. Last Friday’s win over Drogheda was Derry City’s first win at home since the 1-0 win over St Pat’s on May 5^th. Coincidentally, the fifth of May also marks Waterford’s most recent away win – a 1-0 victory over Shelbourne in Tolka Park. With one win from the last seven in the league, John Coleman’s men with hope to see their fortunes improve.

With Shamrock Rovers still 11 points clear at the top, Derry City need to make every game count if they are to even have a sniff at pushing the Hoops for the title. With two games in hand, City will need to take every chance they can get to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from those around them. For now, we’ll just enjoy the performances and hope the run continues.

Pól O’Hare – 2^nd July 2025

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview (June 2025)

Derry City FC v Drogheda United FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 22, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 27^th June 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

The race for Europe is hotting up in the Premier Division, as Derry City’s consecutive away wins leaves them just a point off third and two off second. Friday’s clash, a home tie with third-placed Drogheda United, could prove vital come the end of the season. With back-to-back home games on the horizon and transfer movement hotting up, Tiernan Lynch will hope his side continue their winning streak.

Derry City:

Derry City kicked off their Friday-Monday doubleheader with a trip to Shelbourne on Friday, hoping for a positive start to a tricky looking duo of matches. On the hottest day of the year, the Candystripes ramped up the heat and claimed victory in Tolka Park for the first time since March 2023. It was a result which brought about Damien Duff’s departure of the club as, by Sunday afternoon, news broke that Shelbourne’s league winning manager had resigned.

Friday’s game was a relatively flat affair. Throughout the first half, it seemed like both sides were sussing each other out and didn’t want to play too many risky passes. Liam Boyce came closest for the travelling side, dinking one over Conor Kearns which went narrowly wide from a 1v1 situation just a minute after seeing an audacious chip from the centre circle land on the roof of the net. Brian Maher brilliantly denied John Martin from point blank range to keep the scores level going into the break.

Derry started the brightest going into the second half, with Gavin Whyte firing a low effort at Conor Kearns just two minutes in. A long ball forward to Sean Boyd saw Brian Maher race out of his box on the 53^rd minute. City’s keeper failed to clear the ball and Sam Todd came to the rescue when he nodded Evan Caffrey’s effort off the line.

The clearance from Todd soon proved to be as good as a goal. City took the ball straight up the other end and, when Carl Winchester slid Michael Duffy through, there was only going to be one outcome. City’s mercurial number seven did a few stepovers to evade his man before firing into the top corner from distance on his left foot. Another wondergoal to add to the Michael Duffy collection, as City took a deserved lead. I’ve watched it back more times than I’d like to admit.

Shels failed to threaten for the remainder of the game and, despite a scare when Brian Maher was left stranded outside his box before Mipo Odubeko was ruled offside, City saw the game out comfortably. It was an immensely satisfying victory for the Candystripes, whose passing was crisp and defending resolute. Duffy’s seventh of the campaign was an absolute peach and worthy of beating the champions on their own patch. All eyes then turned to Monday night.

Said eyes donning Derry City tinted glasses weren’t left disappointed on Monday night either. After failing to win in Dublin all season, City beat St Pat’s 1-0 to register their second victory in the capital in four days. In a weekend where I predicted two draws, Derry picked up six precious points to close the gap to the European places to just one point. With Bohs beating Shamrock Rovers on Monday night, the most optimistic of City fan may glance at those two games in hand and start dreaming.

If you thought Friday wasn’t the prettiest of viewing, you’d have had another thing coming on Monday. For the first 25 minutes or so, Pat’s were energetic and had City penned in. They went out with a point to prove and came close on multiple occasions. Brandon Kavanagh saw a freekick bounce narrowly past the far post in the closest opportunity of the half for the home side. Simon Power and Zack Elbouzedi’s pace on the flanks caused trouble for City, but a lack of a finishing touch saved the Candystripes.

Derry’s goal came on the stroke of the half hour mark. Carl Winchester broke from deep in midfield and played a sweeping pass towards the right flank. Ronan Boyce received it following a dummy from Gavin Whyte and fired an inch perfect ball across the face of goal where Liam Boyce was on hand to nod in his fifth goal for the club. It was a case of The Boyce in the Better Land, and not for the first time this season.

City clung on and dug deep, playing a dirty game when necessary and running their socks off to grind out the win across the next hour of football. It was a statement win against a side who were desperate to escape a bad run of form. The yellow cards were flashed, nine in total, and the tackles were hard. It certainly wasn’t beautiful but, just like against Shelbourne days prior, it was bloody satisfying.

The return of Sadou Diallo from injury was a massive boost to City in the last two games. His calm nature in the centre of the park, combined with a fine range of passing, added that extra bit of quality from deep in the midfield. You wouldn’t have known he hadn’t played since March if you watched the games against Pats and Shels. Without O’Reilly on Friday, and with O’Reilly slotting in at full back off the bench on Monday, Winchester and Diallo quickly formed a partnership in the middle. With Cameron Dummigan training ahead of the game on Monday, and the arrival of Adam Frizzell from Airdrieonians announced on Wednesday, Tiernan Lynch’s midfield is stepping up to another level.

The wide areas have since lost a man, though, as Dom Thomas’ six month spell at the Brandywell has come to an end with the announcement of his signing by Ayr United in the Scottish Championship. Harland & Wolff Welders have announced the permanent signing of Liam Mullan, meanwhile Paul McMullan is rumoured to be of interest to Raith Rovers. City also had an approach for the league’s top scorer Moses Dyer declined by the player after triggering his release clause on Wednesday. Finally, there has been interest in Burton Albion defender Alex Bannon, who spent last season on loan at Airdrieonians, whilst Tiernan Lynch remained tight-lipped on the future of Pat Hoban.

Derry’s back-line was solid across the last two games. Sam Todd and Hayden Cann were pretty much faultless, whilst Mark Connolly’s once trademark switches to the wingers made a comeback at stretched the play. Kevin Holt’s experience also showed in aiding the team across the line. Brian Maher made some big saves on Monday in particular, whilst Michael Duffy showed why he’s arguably the best winger in the league once again. The losses of Ronan Boyce and Mark Connolly to potential injuries, alongside more suspensions, don’t make for good viewing going into Friday however.

Now up to fourth, a point behind Friday’s opponents and two behind Bohemians in second, it seems like City’s season is being reignited. Unbeaten in three, that never-say-die identity is returning to the Candystripes’ arsenal, even when the technical performances haven’t been fantastic. With back-to-back home games fast approaching, Tiernan Lynch will hope his side build on this streak going deeper into the summer. It’s a game approaching must win territory if City want to mount a serious charge.

 

Drogheda United:

Top of the table after twelve games and with European football in the horizon, the summer of 2025 promised to be a memorable one for fans of Drogheda United. The past few weeks, however, have seen those promises broken as UEFA kicked the Louth side out of the UEFA Conference League.

Drogheda United is part of the Trivela Group, who also own Trivela Togo, Walsall Town and Silkeborg IF. The latter, Silkeborg, recently beat Randers in the Danish European play-offs, booking their spot in the Conference League. To cut a long story short, and despite the Red Bull clubs and City Group finding loopholes, UEFA and the Court for Arbitration of Sport upheld the rule that two clubs with the same owner couldn’t compete in European competition. It’s the first time in history that that rule has seen a team expelled, and it’s Drogheda United, lower ranked than their Danish counterparts, who have been dealt the unlucky blow.

It's not only devastating for Drogheda’s players, staff and fans, but the club turned full-time this season – no doubt looking at the cash injection they’d receive from their European qualification. No other Irish side applied for a UEFA Licence to take their spot, so Shamrock Rovers have been bumped into Round Two. Kevin Doherty certainly has a task on his hands to keep his disappointed squad motivated on domestic action for the remainder of the season.

Top of the pile until May, the Cup winners had a flying start to the league campaign. Losing just once in their first eleven games, looking good value to run the likes of Shamrock Rovers tight at the top of the table. Since beating Derry City 3-1 in the Brandywell in early April, they’ve won just three of the following fourteen games. Drawing eight of those isn’t bad going, and kept Drogheda in and around the top three, but those dropped points meant that Shamrock Rovers could open a ten point gap over Drogs going into this gameweek. Kevin Doherty will now hope that the lack of European fixture congestion can aid his side in staying in the upper reaches of the table going into the business end of the campaign, but his name will be the first on the lips of many a Shelbourne fan on their list when discussing Damien Duff replacements.

Twenty year old forward Warren Davis has been Drogheda United’s talisman this year, stepping up following the departure of Frantz Pierrot and injuries to Douglas James-Taylor. A graduate of Drogheda’s academy, Davis has scored seven and assisted twice in twenty three games this term. That form has attracted interest from Italian and English clubs, as United slap a €100,000 price tag on his head. A versatile forward, he’s hot property at the moment.

Key to Drogheda’s form in the early part of the season is their defence. Their 22 goals conceded is the joint second best in the league, whilst 6’7” centre back Conor Keeley has come into his own after leaving St. Pat’s. His lowest match rating on SofaScore this year is 7.0, making him one of the league’s most consistent central defenders. With five goals, two of which came in the aforementioned 3-1 win over Derry, he knows where the net is too.

Goalkeeper Luke Dennison has kept ten clean sheets in 22 matches, putting him top of the clean sheets pile for the league. Shane Farrell is another player who goes under the radar in the centre of the park. The former Shelbourne man is a tireless worker in midfield and with four assists, has provided more goals for his teammates than anyone else in the side. He scored a peach of a free-kick in Cork on Monday too. Darragh Markey has already tripled his goal tally from last year, scoring three, as Drogheda’s main attacking midfielder. With Douglas James-Taylor returning to fitness, and scoring last week, coupled with Thomas Oluwa as an option off the bench, Drogheda have quality throughout their ranks.

With just one win from their last five, Kevin Doherty will hope his Drogheda side have the character to put the European-related frustration into their performances and maintain their fight for Europe in the second half of the season. With a comfortable win in the Brandywell already under the belt, they’ll be aiming to at least avoid defeat in the last game before the transfer window opens. For Doherty, he may be on a European hotseat with Shelbourne in July if the bookies are to be trusted.

Round-up:

The Candystripes are winless in the last four competitive games against Drogheda United, most recently drawing in May after losing all three of the previous encounters between the two. Those losses were humiliating for City; a capitulation in the Brandywell, a cup final defeat and a sucker punch which all but cost Derry their title hopes last year. The performance before Liam Boyce’s red card in the Brandywell back in April was one of City’s best of the season, which could bring some confidence on Friday. With momentum returning to the Candystripes, they would leapfrog their opponents with victory in the Brandywell on Friday and could go into second, providing Bohemians lose to Sligo Rovers.

With just one defeat in their last eight matches, Drogheda United will certainly be a tough opponent. They’ll make Derry City work to break them down. Winning last Friday after holding onto an early lead, before dropping points on Monday by conceding a 95^th minute equaliser away to Cork City, United will be hungry to get another win over Derry City and re-open their buffer in the European places. With 24 goals in the last seven games between City and United, going back to the opening day of the 2024 season, we’re almost certainly guaranteed goals on Friday. There’s a big game feel about this one and it could be vital to determining the European places come November.

Pól O’Hare – 24^th June 2025

Double Match Preview: Shelbourne & St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City (June 2025)

Shelbourne FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 20, Tolka Park, Friday 20^th June 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 21, Richmond Park, Monday 23^rd June 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Derry City saw their four game winless streak continue following last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Galway United and it doesn’t get any easier for the Candystripes, who travel to Shelbourne and St Pat’s over the weekend. Failing to pick up a victory in five weeks, it’ll need to be two impressive performances from Tiernan Lynch’s side to get the 2025 campaign back on track.

Derry City:

Coming back from the mid-season break, City knew that three points at home to Galway United would’ve kept them right in the European race. With Galway sat just three points behind City, defeat could have been catastrophic – and a result which could’ve seen the Candystripes drop as low as eighth going into the new week. What panned out was something in the middle.

In a sunny Brandywell after a week of rain, the home side started the brighter. Michael Duffy fired a free kick into the hands of Evan Watts with just a minute on the clock, before seeing his flicked effort go tantalisingly wide just four minutes later after Sam Todd’s cross in.

For the second time in as many games, City were soon undone by an early penalty. With just eight and a half minutes gone, Kevin Holt dragged Moses Dyer to the ground in the box. David Hurley converted calmly to open the scoring for the travelling side. Less than ten minutes later though, the home side were level again. Michael Duffy fired a low ball into the box which, after some scrappy play in the middle, saw a Galway clearance rebound off Kevin Holt and nestle in the corner. A second goal in red and white for the Scotsman, who went from zero to hero.

Derry had the best of the opportunities throughout the remainder of the half. Michael Duffy looked lively and troubled Jeannot Esua at right back for the visitors. He curled one narrowly wide, as did Danny Mullen on the 36 minute mark. The momentum was entirely with the home team as the game approached half time, before City came close once again when Sam Todd headed just over the crossbar on the stroke of half time.

After an entertaining first half, the second half certainly did not live up to expectations. Galway United had recognised that City’s out-ball was a switch to the winger on the far side and made a tactical switch to keep their fullbacks tighter to Derry’s wide men. That was effective and, despite the introductions of Dom Thomas and Paul McMullan, a winner wouldn’t come for City. United seemed happy to set up for a draw and failed to threaten Brian Maher, while Derry couldn’t feed Danny Mullen or Liam Boyce during the second phase. A late penalty claim for the away side was waved away, before the referee put an end to a flat 50 minutes of football.

The game against Galway was one that City should probably have had wrapped up in the first half, but with the lack of a clinical touch in the box meaning the game was level at the break, United were prepared to sit back and make City do all the work. Derry City had 68% possession on Friday night but had just three shots in the second half compared to sixteen in the first. In another card-heavy encounter, the home side couldn’t break down Galway’s dogged defensive unit and went home frustrated. With just two points from the last four games, and now 14 points off the summit, it seems that City’s brief title ambitions are slipping ever further.

Tiernan Lynch has made no secret of the fact that there will be a lot of movement in the squad in the upcoming transfer window. The likes of Dom Thomas and Pat Hoban are linked with respective moves to Scotland and Coleraine, Linfield or Bohemians in the case of Hoban. Friday showed that City are missing a creative spark coming from midfield. Gavin Whyte has been that man in the past this season but was replaced by Paul McMullan after 64 minutes. Reinforcements across the pitch could be welcomed to the Brandywell in coming weeks, with a right-back to cover for Ronan Boyce reportedly high on the wish-list.

Sadou Diallo came back to make his first appearance in three months after breaking his arm away to Sligo Rovers, whilst Hayden Cann’s clipped passes into the path of the wingers proving fruitful in terms of ventures into the box in the first half for City. Sam Todd performed well despite being played out of position following the injury to Ben Doherty, but the lack of an out-and-out attacking left back meant that the home side lost a key attacking outlet.

Facing the champions and one of the pre-season favourites for the title on Friday and Monday, City will need two top-drawer displays to avoid being cut-off by the chasing European pack. We can only hope for two positives results in north Dublin, before hosting back-to-back home matches in the two games after this weekend. Still sixth and just three points off third with two games in hand on the teams facing European action, all hope isn’t lost at the Brandywell just yet.

Shelbourne:

With the mid-season break behind us, and Damien Duff’s players back from a having a few ‘gargles’, the champions host Derry City for the third time in 2025. After winning their first title in 18 years in the Brandywell last November, Shelbourne’s defence of the title hasn’t been all plain sailing. With nine draws from their opening twenty-one games, the Reds have struggled for a consistent period of domination. They’ve only achieved back-to-back wins once this term, and that came in the first two games of the season.

Currently sitting in 5^th, just a points off the top three but twelve behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, Shels will be hoping for a big second half of the season to mount a sustained title charge. Their tally of seven wins from 21 games is the second lowest outside of the relegation zone, but they have conceded the fourth least number of goals this term. With just five losses, less only than Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United, that hard-to-beat nature of the Shels team across the past two campaigns is still alive within the squad.

The signing of Ireland U21 forward Mipo Odubeko to lead the line seemed to be a shrewd acquisition, and he has impressed at times throughout the first half of the season. His goal tally of four is Shelbourne’s joint highest in league action, tying Odubeko with John Martin who scored three of his four in a recent victory of Sligo Rovers. With nine of the ten teams in the Premier Division scoring between 21 and 26 goals this term, finding form in front of goal will be key for Shelbourne, or any side for that matter, in breaking away from the pack.

Midfielders Evan Caffrey and Kerr McInroy have been Shelbourne’s two standout players in 2025. Caffrey has assisted five and scored three to see him with eight direct goal involvements this term, highlighting him as Shelbourne’s most efficient attacking outlet. McInroy has slotted seamlessly into Duff’s midfield after a stint at Kilmarnock and has already been rewarded with a new contract despite joining the club just five months ago.

Centre back Paddy Barrett was instrumental to their title win last year, and recently returned to the side after missing two months through injury. Defensive partner Sam Bone will look for an improved performance after being at fault for Liam Boyce’s goal in this fixture in the Brandywell in May, whilst Kameron Ledwidge has started all 21 of Shelbourne’s games this term. Tyreke Wilson, Sean Gannon and Liverpool loanee James Norris give width to the defence. Conor Kearns is still one of the league’s best goalkeepers, despite keeping just four clean sheets this year.

With a tasty Champions League qualifier against Linfield and FAI Cup football looming, Shelbourne will want to pick up as many points as possible before the games come thick and fast in the next couple of weeks. Already beating Derry City in Tolka this year, Duff’s side will be out to make it two from three and avoid a repeat of their 2-0 defeat in the Brandywell six weeks ago. Monday’s 1-0 victory away to rivals St Pat’s will certainly boost the confidence.

St. Patrick’s Athletic:

Speaking of St Pat’s, I had Stephen Kenny’s as my title favourites before the season began. As we’ve now breached the twenty game mark for the league campaign, the Inchicore side haven’t quite lived up to expectations. It’s been an inconsistent year for Stephen Kenny’s men. A promising start gave way to just three wins from the last ten games, although Pat’s’ eight wins so far is behind only Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians (twelve and eleven) in terms of the most wins in the Premier Division.

St. Pat’s have made Richmond Park something of a fortress this year, only losing their first game at home earlier this week and sitting second in the table for home form. 20 of their 30 points have come in Inchicore, as have 18 of their 26 goals. It’s been on the road where Pat’s have been let down this year, sitting 8^th in the away form table after losing six of their ten away games in 2025.

St. Patrick’s Athletic are far from out of the title race and, if they take their home form on the road, they’ll certainly be in the mix in the business end of the season. Currently a point off the European spaces and twelve behind first, Pat’s certainly have the quality in their squad to mount a charge. Star strikers Aidan Keena and Mason Melia have six apiece in the league, forming one of the deadliest forward-lines in the country. Much has been said about Melia’s upcoming move to Spurs, which was the first League of Ireland export to cost more than €1m, and he’s looking like better value with every passing match. Keena is a complete and ruthless forward, with a range of finishing and neat first touch.

Another man with a neat first touch is stalwart Chris Forrester. One of the league’s most talented players of his generation, the 32 year old has made nearly 400 appearances for Pat’s, as well as 120 for Peterborough United. He has five direct goal involvements this term. Former Derry City midfielder Brandon Kavanagh had the most assists in the Premier Division in 2024, and scored the winner against City back October. Kian Leavy, Jamie Lennon and Barry Baggley add to one of the league’s most impressive midfields, and that isn’t including the injured Romal Palmer.

Zach Elbouzedi and Jake Mulraney bring the quality on the wing, two players who thrive and cutting inside on their stronger foot. Mulraney’s left foot has brought some brilliant free kicks in the past couple of years too. Al-Amin Kazeem, Axel Sjoberg, Ryan McLaughlin and Anto Breslin give width as wingbacks – a key part of Stephen Kenny’s 4-3-3. Centre backs Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare, Luke Turner and Tom Grivosti will be looking for a tenth clean sheet of the season. Goalkeeper Joey Anang was recently called into the Ghana senior squad for game against Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago – his nine clean sheets are joint with Drogheda’s Luke Dennison at the top of the charts for the Premier Division.

St Pats will be glad to host Derry City rather than head to the Brandywell again. The Saints have won three of the last four when they’ve hosted City, including earlier this year, but haven’t won in league action in the Brandywell since October 2019. Pat’s’ only victory in Derry in the last twelve meetings on Foyleside came via a penalty shootout win in the FAI Cup in 2023, whilst they’ve lost eight of those last dozen.

Round-up:

It seems like igniting a run of form this weekend will be a battle for Derry City, who haven’t found much joy in either Tolka or Richmond Park in recent times. The Candystripes have won just twice in their last ten combined visits to both north Dublin stadiums, winless since March 2023 in Tolka and in the last two in Inchicore.

Much like City, Shelbourne and St Pat’s also find themselves in inconsistent patches of form. Both Shels and Pats have won three of their last twelve league games. Despite failing to win in their last four, City have won six of their last twelve. The willingness of all three sides to pick up points and stay competitive in the race for the title and Europe should give for entertaining football, in theory at least.

Tolka Park was something of a haven for Shelbourne last year, losing just three home games all season. They have already matched that tally in 2025 and sit sixth in the table for home form. St Pat’s, on the other hand, know that they’re at their strongest in Richmond Park. They’ve lost just once at home this year, with five wins and five draws from their eleven home games. Pat’s had the best home record in 2024 too, picking up 35 points in their own backyard.

Derry City’s placing of 7^th in the away form table in 2025, with just three wins on the road, makes for even more worrying viewing when you factor in that we’ve already lost on the road to Shelbourne and Pat’s this year – at an aggregate score of 5-1. If ever there was a time to go out and prove a point, this would be it. Four points from Friday and Monday would mark an excellent return given the opposition, in my opinion at least. We’re also winless wearing that new green away kit, so I’m hoping those navy blue kits will be out of the wash to give us any hope of a couple of wins.

Pól O’Hare – 18^th June 2025

Derry City v Galway United: Match Preview (June 2025)

 

Derry City FC v. Galway United FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 19, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 13^th June 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Slipping to sixth in the Premier Division after defeat away to Bohemians two weeks ago, Derry City welcome seventh placed Galway United to the Brandywell on Friday. Just three points off the European places, victory for City could fire them back into the mix. Defeat, however, would see Galway leapfrog Derry and demote the Candystripes to seventh place.

Derry City:

The 1-0 loss to Bohemians at the end of May was one of those matches were simply nothing went right for City. After just 22 seconds, referee Rob Hennessy had given Bohemians a penalty when Mark Connolly was adjudged to have handballed it in the box. It was a soft call at best; the ball was fired at pace into the mid-riff of Connolly who tried to keep his arms down. Even the usually home-club-biased Bohemians commentators said it wasn’t a pen. Dayle Rooney fired the resulting spot-kick into the top corner and gave the Candystripes a mountain to climb with just two minutes played.

With the early advantage, Bohemians were on top throughout the first half. They were winning all the second balls and pressed Derry with energy. The away side couldn’t settle on the ball, and it showed in the number of times that possession was lost. Danny Mullen was isolated up top and the longballs played up to him were dealt with comfortably by Bohemians’ centre backs. Despite Shane Ferguson being hooked for Gavin Whyte after just 25 minutes to usher in a more attacking formation, the first 45 were a tough watch for the travelling City faithful.

Half-time saw three changes for Tiernan Lynch’s side as City tried to get something from the game. Kevin Holt, Michael Duffy and Hayden Cann were replaced by Ronan Boyce, Dom Thomas and Ben Doherty as the Candystripes moulded their formation to be more direct. The extra attacking outlets did give City more life, particularly down the flanks. The introduction of Ronan Boyce in particular gave City a right-footed right-back for the first time since his injury three weeks ago.

Just fifteen minutes later and City’s half-time plans went up in smoke. Ben Doherty, who has had a stop-start 2025 through foot and hamstring injuries, went down injured. He was replaced by Robbie Benson, forcing Ronan Boyce to play as the left-sided wing back and Adam O’Reilly as his counterpart on the right. To be fair to O’Reilly, whose usual game of breaking up the play in the middle was hampered by a yellow card, his overlapping runs from right-back gave City their best chances of the second half.

O’Reilly played balls in for Danny Mullen which were headed and volleyed narrowly over. His best foray saw him slide a ball across the face of goal on the 70^th minute. Robbie Benson came painfully close to stabbing it in and saw his penalty claims waved away despite being bundled over within the six yard box by the covering defender. That wasn’t the first big penalty shout for Derry either – Danny Mullen was pushed to the ground by Dawson Devoy on the 53^rd minute in direct view of the referee, who didn’t as much as shrug to acknowledge the claim. Another night when the man in the middle took centre stage for the wrong reasons.

Despite feeling hard-done-by by the officials, City never really looked like winning the game. Bohemians set up well, pressing Derry high and praying on loose balls. Their defensive structure was solid and frustrated a Derry City side who struggled to carve them open. On another night, it could’ve been a goal-fest for the home team, who hit an exposed City on the counter on numerous occasions across the second half. James Clarke and Colm Whelan came within inches of finding goals of their own. Robbie Benson’s dismissal just twenty minutes after coming on summarised a difficult night for the Candystripes, who were on the wrong side of a card-happy referee but failed to create anything of real quality throughout.

As a result of his red card, Robbie Benson will miss the game against Galway United. Ben Doherty’s recent set-back may see him miss more gametime, although Tiernan Lynch hinted at the returns of Cameron Dummigan and Sadou Diallo in the coming weeks. Michael Duffy will hope to rekindle his early-season form, as the Candystripes will aim for more quality in forward areas.

With a two week break now under their belt, Derry City will be out for victory following back-to-back defeats in the last two games of May. Conceding at the death against Rovers, before going one down at the very start away to Bohs, Derry’s last two games highlighted the fine margins in this league. That translates to the league table too. Starting the Bohs game in third, City finished it in sixth. Still only three points off the European spots, all hope is not yet lost. 
Rumours have emerged linking Dom Thomas with a return to Scotland as clubs in the Premiership and Championship have shown interest in the winger. The 29 year old has scored once and registered three assists since signing from Queens Park in January, but has failed to nail down a starting berth. With a contract running until the end of the 2026 campaign, City would demand a seemingly healthy fee for the former Spiders captain. 
As transfer speculation mounts around the club; fresh legs and a lack of European football could get our distant title hopes back on track. A win against Galway could prove vital ain doing so.

Galway United:

Currently sitting one place and three points below Derry City in the Premier Division table, Galway United’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. A very satisfying mixed bag when you look at the standings though. From eighteen games, they’ve won six, drawn six and lost six. If that ratio wasn’t good enough for those of us with OCD tendencies, they’ve scored as many as they’ve conceded too – twenty one.

United’s early season form gave their faithful hope of a prosperous campaign. Galway went unbeaten in their first seven games, albeit winning just three of those. Since their first loss of the season in early April, a 1-0 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers, United’s season has been marred by inconsistency. They’ve won just three more times since that early unbeaten streak and went on a run of four losses in a row in the first weeks of May. A win over Cork City and draw away to Shamrock Rovers in their previous two before the mid-season break hint that their fortunes may be back on the up.

The signing of New Zealand international striker Moses Dyer has been central to Galway’s fortunes in 2025. His nine league goals make him the league’s top scorer at the halfway point – clearing the next closest (Warren Davis and Owen Elding) by two. He found his first in the maroon of Galway away to Derry City in March, before scoring three braces against Bohemians, Shelbourne and Drogheda United. He’s a man who knows where the back of the net is and has showcased his ability to score a range of goals. He’ll be key to anything United do this year.

Patrick Hickey is another player who is one of Galway’s top performers. One of the most unique players in the league in terms of profile, the 6 foot 6 American usually operates in the midfield, but can lead the line in attack or use his height and stature to solidify the defence. He has started all eighteen of Galway’s game this year, chipping in with four goals and an assist – already matching his goal tally of last season.

Galway United have an experienced, hard-working squad. With the likes of former Ireland international Greg Cunningham featuring in a defence alongside once Derry City target Rob Slevin, Bohs loanee Cian Byrne and flying fullback Jeannot Esua, they’re hard to break down and rapid on the counter.

Wales U21 goalie Evan Watts has rotated with veteran Brendan Clarke between the sticks, whilst John Caulfield brought quality off the bench against Shamrock Rovers last time out in the form of Bobby Burns, Conor McCormack, Killian Brouder and Stephen Walsh. If they manage to turn some of those draws and losses into victories in the second half of the season, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Galway finish the season in the mix for Europe. They’ll want to come back from the mid-season break with a first win of the season against Derry City.

Round-up:

It’s hard to predict which way a Derry v Galway game will go. The two counties faced each other in an entertaining draw in the Senior Championship in Celtic Park two weeks ago, and you get the feeling that a high-scoring draw could transcend football and Gaelic in the Brandywell on Friday. Of the last ten meetings between City and United in all competitions, Derry have won three, Galway four and the other three have been stalemates.

The Candystripes are unbeaten against Galway in 2025, drawing 1-1 in March and digging deep to win 3-2 in the torrential rain at Eamonn Deacy Park on Good Friday in April. That win in April was Derry’s first victory in Galway since August 2015. With seven goals scored by seven different scorers in this meeting already this year, we could be in for another goal-filled occasion.

As both sides aim to bounce back into the top half of the table, and use their competitors’ European escapades to their advantage, this is a match which could prove crucial in deciding the Euro spots for 2026. I don’t know why, but Galway strike me as a team which could go far in the cup this year too. Recent results aside, you can’t beat summer football with a big stick, so ye can’t.

Pól O’Hare – 10^th June 2025

Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview (May 2025)

 Bohemian FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 18, Dalymount Park, Friday 30^th May 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Coming off the back of a heartbreaking late defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers last week, Derry City look to get back to winning ways as they travel to face Bohemians on Friday night. Level on points, both sides will be looking to take three points into the summer break. With the season now at its midway point, and with the next game not until the 13^th of June, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping to take a positive result into the second half of his first campaign as Derry City boss.

Derry City:

Five points behind Shamrock Rovers going into last Friday’s crunch tie, a win for City would have cemented their status as real title contenders. I said ahead of that game that we’d need one of the best performances of the season to get something out of the match but, despite the performance, it wasn’t to be.

With a packed Brandywell behind them, Derry City started the better side and fashioned the best of the chances throughout the majority of the first forty-five. With the yellow card count reading ‘three’ after just fifteen minutes, Stephen Bradley hooked Cory O’Sullivan for upcoming Ireland international Josh Honohan. O’Sullivan was lucky to stay on the pitch after committing a second foul just minutes after receiving his first yellow, and it was a risk that Rovers weren’t willing to take.

The away side began to grow into the game in the second half, after Graham Burke fashioned a chance for himself towards the end of the first period. Burke was Rovers’ biggest threat during the game, threatening the City goal from distance on multiple occasions. For the Candystripes, Scottish duo Paul McMullan and Danny Mullen were introduced on the hour mark. For the second week in a row, City found a goal from the bench – this time coming just five minutes after Lynch brought on the two aforementioned attackers.

Breaking forward down the middle, Paul McMullan played an inch-perfect through ball to Danny Mullen who was rushing towards the box. After taking a touch which seemed heavy, the striker showed composure to lift it over Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal and send the home fans wild. A well-worked and clinical goal from the Candystripes to open the scoring.

City’s lead didn’t last for long. Shamrock Rovers, flexing their muscles by bringing on Michael Noonan, Daniel Mandriou and Dylan Watts from the bench, found an equaliser on the seventieth minute. A snap-shot from Roberto Lopes caught out Brian Maher, who got a palm to the ball but directed it back into his box where Noonan was on hand to nod in his third goal in as many games. It was a poor goal to concede, but the failure to give a foul for a tackle which left Danny Mullen writhing in pain in the build-up played into the hands of Rovers. It was a refereeing decision which cost the Candystripes.

Just as it looked like the game would end in a draw, which would have been a fair result, Rovers nipped the winner at the end. Danny Grant beat Ben Doherty down the flank and slid the ball into Aaron McEneff. The Derry-man fired past Brian Maher to send the three points back down to Tallaght. The 29 year old former City captain wheeled away in celebration, cupping his ears to his native home fans. It was a celebration which resulted in a booking and left a sour taste to the end of the game. Three points for Rovers, who go eight points clear of Derry at the summit.

The game on Friday was one of those that was just hard to take. If we were played off the pitch and outclassed, which can happen against Rovers, you’d be able to hold your hands up and concede that they’re the better team. That wasn’t the case this time. City went toe-to-toe with the Tallaght side and were more than unlucky to leave emptyhanded.

The defending was solid and the passing was intricate. Going into half-time with the better of the chances in the first half, Danny Mullen’s opener was a deserved goal for the home side. Brian Maher was caught off guard for the equaliser and, if he had an extra split second to react, he would probably have tipped it over the bar. The foul on Mullen directly before the shot which led to the opener should have been given. In a match with 21 fouls and six yellow cards, I was shocked to see that Danny Mullen getting taken out from behind didn’t warrant at least a free kick. On another night, that would’ve been a yellow and a free out.

As sickening as the winner was, the fact that so many stayed behind to applaud the defeated City side showed how good the performance was. It was a performance which showed that we deserve to be fighting at the top, and shows just how far we’ve come under Tiernan Lynch. With Conor Barr and Duncan Idehen returning from loans in July, and the transfer window opening soon, the second half of the campaign should be one of success for the Candystripes.

Danny Mullen’s goal was his fifth of the campaign, seeing him sit just one behind Michael Duffy in the scoring charts for City. Mullen’s late winner against Bohemians in June of last year sent the travelling support delirious, as did Michael Duffy’s FAI Cup semi-final brace. City’s number seven netted yet another free kick against Bohs in the 1-0 win earlier this season. They are two players who Reynolds’ side will be going all out to keep quiet on Friday.

Adam O’Reilly had yet another brilliant performance in the midfield, as did Carl Winchester. Hayden Cann played some impressive balls forward, whilst Mark Connolly and Kevin Holt showed their experience alongside Sam Todd. Shane Ferguson gave width with attacking runs forward, although the lack of a naturally right footed full-back to deputise for the injured Ronan Boyce and Cameron Dummigan seem to be hurting the side’s balance.

Paul McMullan impressed off the bench once again and will be pushing for a starting place after assisting Mullen’s goal for City. Gavin Whyte showed his class with some nice touches and turns, while Michael Duffy was unfortunate not to test the keeper more after a few decent opportunities. He loves playing in Dalymount and will be gunning for his seventh of the season in Phibsborough on Friday. With Ben Doherty returning from injury to provide that extra bit of attacking flair from wing-back, I’d expect another high energy, attacking performance from the Candystripes on Friday. City will be sure to use the hurt of the Rovers defeat to push for three points in Dalymount.

Bohemians:

After a stop-start 2024 campaign, Bohemians finished the season in 8^th place. A disappointing finish, the Phibsborough side evaded the relegation zone by eight points and had high expectations of a rebuild going into the new year. Said new year didn’t bring the joy expected, as Bohs flirted with the relegation zone after losing five of their first eight, despite beating rivals Shamrock Rovers in front of a record crowd in the Aviva Stadium in matchday one.

The Bohemians hierarchy ignored calls to sack manager Alan Reynolds, who was trusted to get things moving again. To be fair to him, he silenced the critics and did just that. Bohs have won six of their last eight league games, coming from behind to defeat Shamrock Rovers again as well as getting the better of fellow Dublin rivals St. Pat’s and Shelbourne. Suddenly, the ‘more shirts than points’ gimmick ended for another year. Have to say though, those Guinness jerseys are top class. The Fontaines DC ones though? As José Mourinho would say, ‘if I speak I’m in trouble’.

In typical Bohemians fashion, the winners in five of those six victories were scored after the 85^th minute. There were back to back 97^th minute winners against Pats and Galway United, a 96^th minute winner away to Shamrock Rovers and 85^th and 88^th minute goals against Cork City and Sligo Rovers. If there’s one thing you can’t do against Reynolds’ side these days, it’s think that you’ve seen out a win.

Down to fourth after defeat to Drogheda United last week, Bohs sit level on points with Derry City going into Friday night. With the ever-entertaining record of no draws, nine wins and eight losses, they’re well within the European mix. Beating some of the heavy hitters and favourites for the title already this year, Reynolds will have his faithful dreaming of a title charge in 2025.

After winning only four times at home in the entirety of last season, Bohemians have already surpassed that tally this year with five. That is only the sixth best home record in the division though. The only side who haven’t drawn a game this year, you really never know what you’ll get from this team. With both St Pat’s and Shelbourne only a point behind City and Bohs, a draw in Dalymount wouldn’t do either side much good.

Former Derry City forward Colm Whelan, who joined Bohs from the Candystripes after last year’s Cup final defeat, is their best performing player in the forward line in 2025. With four goals and an assist, his five goal involvements are better than any of his teammates. Joined on four league goals this year is former Motherwell midfielder Ross Tierney, he’s always one to put a shift and can play across the midfield. Defender Sean Grehan, who chose Bohs over Derry City to join on-loan from Crystal Palace, has bagged three this term – including a brace against Galway United and the winner against St. Pat’s. Two of the 21 year old’s three goals have come in the 97^th minute, so you should close your eyes if he goes up for a corner late on.

Star signing Lys Mousset, formerly a £10m Sheffield United striker, scored his first goal for the club when he found a late winner away to Sligo Rovers three weeks ago. He’s still struggling for full match fitness, but his quality and first touch can’t be underestimated – there’s a reason he cost £15m in transfer fees throughout his career. The signature of Sligo Rovers captain Niall Morahan was another smart acquisition, bolstering an already strong midfield which includes Dawson Devoy, James Clarke, James McManus, Jordan Flores and Adam McDonnell.

Dayle Rooney is one of the league’s most dangerous wingers and has scored some wondergoals in his time. On the other wing, Bohs have former Waterford Connor Parsons, whilst James Clarke can play on either flank as well as in attacking midfield. A defence mixing youth with experience is stationed in front of James Talbot or Kacper Chorazka in goals.

With something of a feelgood factor returning to Dalymount Park in recent weeks, the Bohemians faithful will fancy themselves against any team. Despite losing to Derry City earlier in the campaign, the Phibsboro side are a different outfit now. Playing on the large Dalymount surface, a pitch which will suit both teams in their offensive forays, expect an entertaining affair with an atmosphere bouncing at either side of the stadium. Bohemians will be looking to keep archnemesis Michael Duffy off free-kicks, whilst the Candystripes travel to ‘the old’ Dalymount Park for one of the last times before its renovation.

Round-up:

Both Bohemians and Derry City will be gunning for three points on Friday after losses last time out. Still fighting in the upper reaches of the table, both managers will see a win as crucial going into the mid-season break. The Candystripes will be out for their seventh win in the last ten visits to Bohemians, whilst Reynolds’ men will want to enact revenge for defeat earlier this year and in last season’s FAI Cup semi-final.

With late goals adding to the scripts of both side’s fortunes in recent weeks, expect drama, a big atmosphere and exciting football in Dalymount Park on Friday night. With a two week break after this one, bringing the three points home will be the aim of the game for both Bohs and the Candystripes. We might even be lucky enough to see City wearing the green away kit for only the second time this season too…

Pól O’Hare – 27^th May 2025

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers: Match Preview (May 2025)

Derry City FC v. Shamrock Rovers FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 17, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 23^rd May 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Unbeaten in four following last week’s draw away to Drogheda United, Derry City welcome table-toppers Shamrock Rovers to the Brandywell on Friday night. It’s the biggest match of Derry’s season to date, as victory would keep the pressure on Rovers at the summit. With City clicking into gear, and Rovers in free-scoring form, Friday night’s game could be decisive come November. With the atmosphere of a packed Ryan McBride Brandywell, this won’t be one to miss.

Derry City:

Heading into last Friday’s game away to Drogheda United in second place in the table, joint on points with table toppers Shamrock Rovers, a loss for Derry City would have seen them slip from the top three. Without Ronan Boyce through injury, and Carl Winchester through suspension, the Candystripes had a task on their hands to leave Louth with a positive result.

The sun was shining and a big travelling contingent had made the journey to Sullivan & Lambe Park but it was the home side who made the most headway in the first half. When the referee blew for half-time, Drogheda United were the side ahead. Right back Elicha Ahui rose to meet Owen Lambe’s corner and directed it past Brian Maher in the City goal just minutes before the half was ou - a deserved opener for the hosts, who were unfortunate not to add to it across the ninety.

Derry grew into the game in the second period, although Drogheda had the better chances throughout the half. Brian Maher’s fingertip save over the crossbar twenty minutes into the half, followed by the introduction of Paul McMullan and Dom Thomas three minutes later, saw the game turn on its head.

United had stifled most of City’s forays forward and were prepared to sit deep and defend. Tough to break down, the visitors knew they had to make the most of any chance for a goal. Pat Hoban, making his first appearance in two months, sliced a golden effort at goal inside the box on the 77^th minute and it seemed like it wasn’t to be for the Candystripes.

It was substitute Dom Thomas who came to the rescue for City. Realising that trying to break down the Drogheda defence wasn’t working, the Scotsman took one touch after receiving the ball from Hayden Cann and fired towards goal in the 90^th minute. His deflected shot from distance wrongfooted Luke Dennison and squirmed into the bottom corner, sending the away end into raptures. It was too late for a winner, but it was a hard-won point and one which could prove crucial towards the business end of the season.

The draw in Drogheda wasn’t pretty, but with just one defeat and five wins from the last seven games for Derry City, it was an important point to get. With Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and St. Patrick’s Athletic all winning across the weekend, a loss would’ve seen us slip to fourth at full-time. With Rovers hammering Pats, and Shelbourne drawing with Drogheda United on Monday night, City have a game in hand going into the crunch tie with Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Carl Winchester will be a welcomed return in the centre of midfield against Rovers, whilst it was good to see that Adam O’Reilly was fit enough to play following a hefty collision at the end of the match in Cork almost two weeks ago. Brian Maher made some fine saves, whilst Hayden Cann slotted in at right back following Ciaron Harkin’s substitution at half time. It was surprising to see Michael Duffy and Gavin Whyte taken off, seeing that they’ve been our two best attackers in 2025, but the introductions of McMullan and Thomas won the game for City – a genius move from Tiernan Lynch.

Robbie Benson is proving to be another solid pickup. Relegated with Dundalk last year, he’s fitted seamlessly into the Derry City midfield when called upon and hasn’t lost any of that fight that he showed throughout his career. It’s the experience in that older squad that’s grinding out results. Pat Hoban’s return to the pitch following two months out will be another addition to the City frontline and a solid option off the bench against Shamrock Rovers. With Ronan Boyce, Sadou Diallo, Ben Doherty and Cameron Dummigan all still out, Tiernan Lynch will need his squad sharp going into Friday’s game.

Shamrock Rovers have found form and are steamrolling all that come in their way at the moment, scoring twelve and conceding just once in their last four games. It’ll need to be Derry City’s best performance of the year to claim victory on Friday, but it’s one which would keep us firmly in the title race. Almost at the halfway point of the season in terms of matches played, the table is really taking shape.

To beat a team like Rovers, Derry will likely set up how they did against Shelbourne. Welcoming the champions to the Brandywell for the first time since lifting the cup there in November, there would have been a temptation to sit back and let them have the ball. Tiernan Lynch set his side up to do the opposite.

City knew their press triggers and had exposed Shelbourne’s weaknesses. The first goal came from a well-worked corner routine and the second by pressing the centre back and forcing him into a mistake. It’ll be these situations and chances which City will need to avail of to find goals on Friday. Against St. Pat’s four days later, our only goal came from being front-footed, forward facing and energetic to nip a misplaced pass and play the striker in-behind. This is where having the likes of O’Reilly in the team can add so much. Noticing these differences show how City have progressed in midfield and forward areas since Tiernan Lynch took over. His Larne team was a goal machine after all.

In saying that, there needs to be a precise fine line. Press too high and leave too much space in-behind and we’ll get punished. Our back four or five aren’t the quickest and teams have found joy in lobbing the ball over the defenders and freeing their quick forward to go 1v1 against the keeper. Rovers ripped City apart doing exactly this last year, when Aaron Greene got in-behind to score two identical goals in a six minute spell in Rovers’ 3-1 win in Derry last April. It’s something which Lynch and his side have worked on this year, and something which has drastically improved from the 2-1 defeat at home to Waterford back in March. I’m no tactician, but for those of you who know your stuff, you’ll enjoy the tactical battle on Friday as much as the physical.

Visiting fellow high-flyers Bohemians next week before the mid-season break, it’ll be vital for Derry City to keep up the good form going into the summer. Without European football this year, we’ll hope to use the advantage of less games in the congested summer schedule to our advantage. To do that, the Candystripes need positive results against their title rivals from now on in, starting with Friday night.

Shamrock Rovers:

Shamrock Rovers went into the final day of the 2024 season knowing that victory at home to Waterford would’ve seen them lift the Premier Division title for the fifth year in a row. After failing to hit consistent form all season, Rovers went top for the first time all campaign when they went 1-0 up just four minutes into the last match of the year. Top of the table for more than the next hour,  Rovers hearts were broken when Harry Wood scored late on to see Shelbourne beat Derry City in the Brandywell - a goal which saw the Reds pip the Tallaght side to the crown.

Rovers ended 2024 strongly and would go on to make history on the continental front. Picking up wins against Larne, TNS and Borac Banja Luka, whilst drawing with APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna, Stephen Bradley’s side progressed to the Knockout Phase of the UEFA Conference League. The first Irish side to progress through the league phase of European competition eventually bowed after losing to Molde on penalties.

It seemed as though the hangover from the second leg against Molde, which occurred just four days before the league season kicked off, had an impact on the early stages of Shamrock Rovers’ league campaign. No strangers to a slow starting season, Rovers lost to Bohemians in the Aviva Stadium on the opening day and were rooted to the bottom of the table after three games. Fast forward two months, fourteen matches and nine wins later and the Hoops are five points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

Losing just once in the last fourteen, and winning four on the bounce, it’s clear that Rovers are clicking into gear. A recent 3-0 demolition of then leaders Drogheda United showed their intent, before they hammered St. Pat’s 4-0 in Tallaght four days later. Their goals scored metric of 31 is by far the league’s highest. Conceding just 15 and boasting the best defence in the league, the south Dublin side are showing their quality as the most well rounded team in the league.

Hate them or love them, that word ‘quality’ often pops up in discussions around Shamrock Rovers. Midfield maestro, and former Ireland player Jack Byrne, has bounced back from a disappointing 2024 to score twice and assist six more already this season. He’s joint with Moses Dyer and Michael Duffy on eight goal involvements in 2025 and sits top of the Premier Division’s assist charts.

16 year old Michael Noonan became European football’s youngest ever goalscorer when he bagged against Molde, whilst fellow strikers Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney have netted five and four respectively in the league. Both 35 years of age, they’re setting the example for Noonan.

Twelve different players have found the net for Rovers in the league in 2025, three more than Derry City. While only four City players have scored more than once individually, eight players have bagged twice or more for Rovers. When you consider that defenders Lee Grace and Josh Honohan, the latter of whom was called into the Republic of Ireland senior squad for upcoming friendlies, have five goals between them, it shows how threatening Rovers came be.

Jack Byrne aside, Rovers’ midfield needs no introduction. Graham Burke has scored four and assisted six this year, propelling himself to the top of the goal involvement chart for the Premier Division. He’s one of the best players in the league yet again this season. The acquisition of Ireland U21 midfielder Matty Healy from Royal Francs Borains in Belgium is also proving a real coup. Last year’s PFAI Player of the Year, Dylan Watts, is joined by Aaron McEneff, Danny Mandriou, Gary O’Neill and Darragh Nugent in the centre of the park. With Danny Grant, Trevor Clarke and Sean Kavanagh providing width to the attack, they’re a frightening prospect going forward.

With former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty, who was sent off the last time these sides met, between the sticks with Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace and Dan Cleary in front of him, they aren’t short at the other end of the pitch either. Right back Adam Matthews started for Celtic in their famous 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012 and has played six times for Rovers this season, whist former Derry wingback Sean Robertson is a recent arrival following the termination of his contract on Foyleside. Young winger Victor Ozhianvuna is one of the hottest prospects coming out of Tallaght and is rumoured to be the subject of bids from some of Europe’s elite. The rumoured fee would eclipse Mason Melia’s move to Spurs as the League’s most expensive sale in history.

Undefeated in their last six, and in free-scoring form, Shamrock Rovers will see victory over Derry City on Friday night as a serious jump hurdled in the title race. Three points would see them go eight clear of City, a sizable gap given the midway point of the campaign. It’s up to the Candystripes to assert their dominance in front of a bumper crowd and show their own title ambitions to stop Ireland’s best team from ploughing on.

Round-up:

With both sides in good form and hoping to flex their muscles at the top of the Premier Division, it’s a top two clash of serious proportions. It’s looking likely that an attendance of more than 5,000 will be in the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Friday night, so this game has lofty ambitions to live up to.

Tiernan Lynch would’ve felt hard done by coming away from Tallaght with just one point when these two last met at the end of March. With red cards flashed to players on both sides, the game was stifled and neither Rovers or City tried to go for the jugular. As the league takes shape and the stakes get higher now though, that won’t be the case this time round.

Derry City have just one win from their last nine games against Rovers. That victory came back in March 2023, whilst Rovers have won four of the other eight. Both of the last two games between the two have been draws, but the Candystripes haven’t beaten Shamrock Rovers in league action in the Brandywell in more than three years. You may remember that win too, when Jamie McGonigle’s 95^th minute winner lifted the roof on the Lone Moor Road. Tiernan Lynch will be hoping Friday’s crowd will boy his side on to similar scenes this time round, closing the gap to top spot.

If you haven’t already got a ticket for Friday night, I’d advise you to get one. It’s the biggest game of the Tiernan Lynch era so far and will indicate where Derry should expect to be in terms of a title race. Victory would keep us right in it, but defeat could open a gap too big. A draw wouldn’t really suit anyone. With attacking football, flying tackles and a loud atmosphere on the cards, this is what Friday nights are all about.

Pól O’Hare – 21^st May 2025