FAI Cup Final Preview: Drogheda United v Derry City

 

FAI Cup Final Preview: Drogheda United v Derry City

 

Drogheda United FC v Derry City FC., FAI Cup Final, Aviva Stadium, Sunday 10^th November 2024, kick-off 3pm

Derry City’s 1-0 loss at home to Shelbourne last Friday saw Damien Duff’s men lift their first title in eighteen years in the Brandywell, condemning Derry City to a fourth placed finish. Four weeks ago, the Candystripes could have gone top with two wins in their games in hand, but a late season injury crisis and run of poor form has seen City finish outside of the automatic European places for the first time since 2021. Sunday’s FAI Cup final is Derry City’s second in three years, but the pressure is really on this time round. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men need to beat Drogheda United to play European football in 2025, failure to do so would be disastrous. Drogheda haven’t been in an FAI Cup final since 2013, when they lost 3-2 to Sligo Rovers, with their 2-0 victory in the final in 2005 their last Cup triumph. They have an equally important relegation play-off tie with Bray Wanderers in Tallaght Stadium next Saturday.

Last time out – Derry City 0-1 Shelbourne:

In a similar vain to last week, we don’t want to have to relive Friday’s game again, so I’ll keep this recap short. Derry City would’ve secured European football if St. Pat’s dropped points to Sligo Rovers and the Candystripes won again Shelbourne. Shels brought a 300 strong, sold-out away support in the hope that they’d watch their side lift a first title since 2006, having only returned to the Premier Division in 2021. Both sides had an energetic start, with Liam Burt’s low, driven effort being deflected wide by Duncan Idehen within five minutes. City’s first real effort came 21 minutes in, when Michael Duffy struck straight at Conor Kearns in the Shels goal. City’s number seven again came close before the half-hour mark when he shot over following his trademark move of cutting inside and aiming for the top corner. Derry’s best opportunity of the half came ten minutes before the break, when Paul McMullan fed Colm Whelan in the box. The former UCD man’s effort was scuffed and easily dealt with – a better connection would’ve surely been an opener for the Candystripes.

Within ten minutes of the second half beginning, City had their best opportunity of the game. Ronan Boyce found space in the box after beating Rayhaan Tulloch before putting an inch-perfect ball right onto the head of Danny Mullen, who diverted his header onto the crossbar. A heart in mouth moment for both sets of supporters. The aforementioned Tulloch came close on the hour mark when he swept his effort wide of Brian Maher’s goal. Not long after Sean Boyd missed a 1v1 with Brian Maher, the away side were denied what seemed a clear penalty. Substitute Ali Coote burst into the box and was taken down by the foot of Mark Connolly – huge shouts from the Shelbourne contingent waived away by the referee. Just minutes later though, and Shelbourne had the goal they craved. Jacob Davenport was adjudged to have handled the ball when it flicked up into his mid-riff from close range. Sean Boyd fired the free kick, which was right on the edge of the Derry box, low and to Brian Maher’s side. The City keeper parried it as far as Harry Wood who knocked in from a questionably offside position. With five minutes left, Shelbourne had found the goal that would win them the league. The away end was in raptures and, despite Wood chipping over the crossbar in stoppage time, Shels held on to claim the first title won by a team not called ‘Shamrock Rovers’ since 2019.

Derry City:

There’s no denying that the end of the season was hugely disappointing from a Derry City perspective. Less than a month ago, we had our league title hopes in our hands and had a genuine shout at the double. Now, though, we’ve stumbled to a fourth placed finish – outside of the European spots. There were injury issues to key players towards the end of the season, namely to Pat Hoban, Ciarán Coll, Ben Doherty and Patrick McEleney, but there just didn’t seem to be the fight that’s required from a team hoping to win a league. Derry City, despite finishing the season with the second best goal difference in the league, had the joint highest amount of draws (13). That means that Derry only won 38.9% of their league games, less than four wins from every ten games. Our longest winning run in the league in 2024 was three, compared to four in 2023 and six in 2022. Despite signing the league’s best striker of recent times in Pat Hoban, who finished 2024 as the joint top scorer alongside Waterford’s Pádraig Amond on fourteen, Derry scored nine league goals less than last year’s tally. City kept the best defensive record in 2023, conceding just 24. Seven more goals were conceded in 2024, owing to the loss of Cameron McJannet and injury hit campaigns of Ben Doherty and Ciarán Coll.

On the other hand, Derry had the best disciplinary record in the league, picking up 78 yellow cards. That’s fifty less than Shelbourne, who were shown the most yellow cards with 128. (@StattoLOI on X). Not receiving yellow cards doesn’t win you leagues though, and it just goes to show how being a master of the dark arts can play into your advantage. Michael Duffy and Paul McMullan finished joint fourth in the assist charts for the league, both making five goals for teammates. Brandon Kavanagh, who City sold to St. Pat’s in January, finished the season with thirteen assists – the most in the league. Derry couldn’t promise him game-time, but having Kavanagh playing consistently in that number 10 role this season could have won Derry the league. Brian Maher was one of only three players in the Premier Division to play every single minute, whilst McMullan made the joint most appearances for a foreign player with 36 – a real testament to the Scotsman’s fitness.

I’ve spoken about the contract situation of most of the players in the squad recently, whilst we do need a refresh and I’d expect to see quite a different team at the start of next season, there are some players who we really need to try to keep hold of. Brian Maher was the only player who remained on the pitch to applaud the fans on Friday night – he has been linked to Shamrock Rovers in the past, but a new contract would be a major coup. Adam O’Reilly’s rumoured move to St. Pat’s may now be off, as Stephen Kenny persuaded holding midfielder Jamie Lennon to sign a new long-term contract after being linked to clubs in America. Colm Whelan has been impressive since returning from injury and is 100% fit for the first time as a Derry City player, I’d hope for him to start the final on Sunday and sign a new deal at the club. The pitch may put him off staying at the Brandywell though. Duncan Idehen impressed on Friday night, he was confident in the air and calm on the ball and recovered from a mistake in the box in the second half. Pat Hoban and Partrick McEleney played no part on Friday night but may be fit enough to feature in Sunday’s final. Cameron Dummigan, Ciarán Coll, Daniel Kelly and Ben Doherty are all out.

Despite a poor league campaign, Derry City have shone in the cup. Higgins’ men won all four games played, scoring eight and conceding none in doing so. In fact, City haven’t conceded in open play in the FAI Cup since Rory Gaffney scored for Shamrock Rovers in the quarter-final in 2022. The performances against Shelbourne and St. Pat’s in the Brandywell were Derry’s finest in 2024, whilst we dug deep away to Cork City and scored two brilliant goals to put Bohemians to the sword in the semi-final. That away end in Dalymount was one of the best I’ve seen in years and with well more than 38,000 tickets sold for the final on Sunday, I’d expect the Aviva to be rocking.

For reference, last year’s FAI Cup final between Bohemians and St Pat’s saw an attendance of 43,881 – more than the KNVB Cup final in the Netherlands between Feyenoord and NEC Nijmegen and just 3000 less than the Coupe de France final between Lyon and PSG - big company for the LOI. There were 32,412 at Derry’s last final in 2022, with well over 20,000 of those Derry fans. Derry’s previous final against St Pat’s in 2014 saw just 17,038 – what a rise in a decade, truly brilliant to see.

Michael Duffy has been central to City’s cup hopes in 2024, scoring four goals - both in the semi-final against Bohemians, the opener against Shelbourne and the winner against St. Pat’s. Danny Mullen bagged a brace against Pat’s and scored the winner against Shelbourne. The only other man to score for Derry City in the FAI Cup in 2024 was Sam Todd, who headed City to victory away in Cork. He’s recently started in the UEFA Conference League for Larne, on-loan from City. Derry’s defence have been impenetrable in cup action this year, something they will hope to carry on into the final. With a place in UEFA Conference League qualifiers, and a possible seventh FAI Cup on offer, you’d expect City to go all out for a win on Sunday. Using that big pitch as an advantage, as we did in 2022 against Shelbourne, don’t be shocked to see Paul McMullan stick tight to the touchline and for Derry to play mostly on the wings to fashion chances. For the last time in 2024 we’ll see Derry City in action. It's City's 1700th competitive game and it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

Route to the final:

Round 1: Bye

Round 2: Derry City 3-0 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Round 3: Cork City 0-1 Derry City

Quarter-final: Derry City 2-0 Shelbourne

Semi-final: Bohemians 0-2 Derry City

 

Drogheda United:

No matter which way Sunday goes, reaching the cup final and avoiding automatic relegation for the Premier Division’s only part-time team is some achievement. Tipped to go down before the season began, Drogheda United have established themselves as something of a bogey team for many a Premier Division side, owing to their hard-to-beat nature and tight Weaver’s Park pitch. After defeat in the Brandywell on the opening day, the Louth side had a rocky start to the season, with a 2-1 home win over Bohemians in early March coming as their only win in the first ten games of the campaign. Included in those first ten were five draws however, taking points of Derry City, St. Patrick’s Athletic and eventual champions Shelbourne before going to pick up wins over Sligo Rovers and Dundalk in spring. That aforementioned win at home to their Louth rivals and fellow relegation contenders was Drogheda’s only league win between the 6^th of May and the 26^th of July – a near three month winless streak in league action.

The most impressive week of Drogheda United’s season came in mid August. After hammering Munster Senior League side Wilton United 9-0 in the FAI Cup, Drogheda put seven past a Sligo Rovers side who were pushing for Europe. Sixteen goals without reply in two games showed that Kevin Doherty’s men meant business going into the latter stages of the season. A strong transfer window, which saw the loan signing of Douglas James-Taylor from Walsall and the arrivals of Jad Hakiki and Aodh Dervin from Dundalk and Shelbourne respectively showed that the club were strengthening well going into the relegation scrap. Drogheda had a strong end to the season, losing just two of their last seven, and taking the scalps of Derry City and Bohemians – inflicting on the former a huge dent to their title hopes, and pulling the latter down towards them in ninth position. It was ninth where Doherty’s men would end up – not quite safe but eight points clear of their Louth rivals Dundalk at the foot of the table. They face Bray Wanderers, a side who haven’t been in the Premier Division since 2018, in the Play-Off final in Tallaght next Saturday – a winner takes all tie which will close the curtain on the 2024 League of Ireland season.

A week after an emphatic beating of Bohemians in the semi-final of the FAI Cup, Derry City travelled to Drogheda knowing that a win would send Derry top of the Premier Division table. Compounding our misery on a genuinely Baltic evening in southern county Louth, Frantz Pierrot struck twice in eight minutes after the hour mark to sink the Candystripes. Looking back, it wasn’t just a cataclysmic blow to City’s title hopes, but it’s given everyone who watched that game a glimpse of the firepower of Pierrot and James-Taylor up front. Both goals highlighted the same problem in Derry’s defence – Pierrot and James-Taylor used their pace to get the better of Derry’s high-line, and the lack of pace between Wisdom and Connolly. DJT and Pierrot are a classic front two. James-Taylor is a lightning quick forward who plays on the shoulder of the defender and has a real eye for goal, you don’t make 50 appearances in League Two in your early 20s for nothing. Pierrot is a big target-man who is best when backing into the centre back and throwing his weight around. The Haitian’s positioning is another strong point of his game – his ten league goals tied him in joint fourth with Sean Boyd of Shelbourne in the Premier Division scoring charts. It also meant that he scored more goals than any other foreign player in the league in 2024. Douglas James-Taylor and Frantz Pierrot have scored or assisted 26 goals between them in league and cup action for Drogheda United this year – a statistic even more impressive when you consider that James-Taylor only arrived in July, and Pierrot had only four goals before their partnership.

There is a bit of a reliance on the two big men up top for Drogheda though – July departee left-back Evan Weir is tied with former Finn Harps striker Adam Foley on four league goals in third place on Drogs’ scoring charts. Foley’s brace off the bench to beat Wexford in the semi-final was his second and third in the FAI Cup this season, though. His 92^nd minute winner shows that age isn’t an issue for the big striker who turns 35 next month. Darragh Markey is one of the most underrated playmakers in the league and wouldn’t look out of place playing higher up the table. The introduction of the experienced Gary Deegan is a player in the centre of the park in recent weeks following injury helped Drogheda stave of automatic relegation, at 37 he’s another level head in the United lineup. The energetic Shane Farrell was an impressive signing from Shelbourne, whilst the arrival of full-back Elicha Ahui, who spent half of the 2023 season at Drogheda, was another astute signing. Former Finn Harps defender David Webster would, much like Adam Foley, love to get one over his old side’s deepest rivals. Jack Keaney, UCD’s captain in 2023, adds a versatile player to the defence, being comfortable operating in defensive midfield or centre back. Andrew Wogan and Luke Dennison have alternated in the goalkeeping department this year, with the latter keeping the 18 year old Wogan out of the lineup following an impressive start to life in the League of Ireland for the young shot stopper.

In terms of FAI Cup action, Drogheda United, with 18 goals, have scored more than anyone else in the competition this year – half of which came in the Third Round drubbing of Wilton United. Douglas James-Taylor, with six, is the competition’s top scorer – half of which, again, came as a hat-trick in that win over Wilton. Michael Duffy is second in the FAI Cup scoring charts, with four. On the contrary, Derry City are the only team with a perfect defensive record in the cup this year – they’ve gone the whole way to the final without conceding a single goal. In that sense, Sunday’s final ought to be entertaining – the highest scoring v. the best defence. A cup win for Drogheda United would be historic, they’ve lifted it just once and reached the final only four times, but Kevin Doherty may have an eye on next week’s play-off tie against Bray Wanderers. Would he, or the Drogheda fans, take a cup win over relegation considering the financial implications of the latter? It’s hard to know, but if they’re losing going into the last fifteen or so, Doherty may roll the dice and rest some key men. A win on Sunday would have them running on peak confidence going into the play-off, though. Drogheda United do have a fully fit squad and were able to rotate against already relegated Dundalk in the last game of the season. In that sense, they may have a fitness edge on the Candystripes.

This one will be closer than you may expect and, with Drogheda United selling out their allocation, a bumper crowd is to be expected. United began their cup journey with a home win over rivals Dundalk, before battering Wilton United in the Third Round. Athlone Town, at the time in great form in the First Division, lost 4-1 at home to a ten man Drogheda United in the quarters. Wexford, another First Division play-off hopeful, travelled to Louth in the semis, losing 3-2. Doherty’s men have had something of a never say die attitude in the cup this year, flexing their muscles against MSL and First Division opposition and getting the better of their bitter, local rivals.

Similarly to Derry in 2022, Drogheda United have been drawn as the home team in the tie but given the North Stand in the Aviva - usually used to house away fans in Republic of Ireland fixtures. That may not be a bad thing for Drogs, though - the team whose fans have been given that end have won each of the last three finals. It’s only a coincidence, but aside from the lockdown-hit 2020 final, Shamrock Rovers in 2019 were the last team to win the final when their fans were given the bigger South Stand. Hoping for a first cup win in nineteen years, and in only their fifth final in their history, Drogheda United will be praying that fate is on their side and will certainly be up for a fight come Sunday.

Route to the final:

Round 1: Bye

Round 2: Drogheda United 2-1 Dundalk

Round 3: Drogheda United 9-0 Wilton United

Quarter-final: Athlone Town 1-4 Drogheda United

Semi-final: Drogheda United 3-2 Wexford

 

Round-up:

Sunday’s FAI Cup typifies a tale of two seasons for Derry City and Drogheda United. Derry City, pushing Shelbourne for top spot for most of the season, have had a catastrophic end to the campaign which has seen them drop to a fourth placed finish in the league. Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic hold the European spots, meaning Derry City simply need to win to have European football, and the finances that will bring, in 2025. A loss would be disastrous, it’ll be harder to attract players and tougher to finance the type of contracts that top League of Ireland players are on now without the few hundred thousand cash injection that comes with UEFA Conference League qualification football. Drogheda United, on the other hand, are in the Aviva for the first time in eleven years, hoping to win only their second ever FAI Cup. The pressure is off them, even finishing as runners-up would mark a good season if they manage to stave of Bray Wanderers in the play-off. Kevin Doherty will want his side to take momentum into that game, which is arguably more important to their season than the cup final. Both Derry City and Drogheda United have beaten each other in 2024, Derry 2-1 and 5-1 in the Brandywell, and Drogs 2-1 in Weaver’s Park. With both teams representing the different realities of football at the top and bottom of the Premier Division table, the biggest day in the Irish footballing calendar is living up to its billing.

 

Pól O’Hare – 7^th November 2024

 

That’s another season drawn to a close and I’m proud to say that I’ve written a preview for every one of Derry City’s fixtures this season. Whilst it hasn’t been the ending to the year that we hoped for, we have one last day out before three months without League of Ireland football. I’d like to thank everyone who has read, shared or interacted with my previews – it’s much appreciated. Have a good Christmas and New Year folks, I’ll see you in February. Up the City.

Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview (1st November 2024)

 

Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview (1^st November 2024)

 

Derry City FC v. Shelbourne FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 36, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 1^st November 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Last Friday night marked the end of Derry City’s title hopes as the Candystripes fell to a 1-0 defeat away to St. Patrick’s Athletic. City’s wait for a first league title since 1997 will continue for another year, whilst Shamrock Rovers’ victory over Dundalk has seen the Candystripes slip to fourth place in the table. Victory over Shelbourne on Friday night will hand Shamrock Rovers a fifth title in a row, assuming they beat Waterford in Tallaght. A positive result for Shelbourne will ensure their first title since 2006 – and they’ll lift it in the Brandywell. Even if they lost, they’d still win the league if Rovers don’t win against Waterford. For the City faithful, we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. For Ruaidhrí Higgins and his players, they’ll want to spoil Shelbourne’s party and take some momentum going into next Sunday’s cup final. It’s the end of another League of Ireland season, and the 27th without Derry City winning the biggest trophy in Irish football.

 

Last time out- St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Derry City:

Having to watch those highlights again was grim I must say, but I’ll keep this recap short and (not really) sweet so you don’t have to relive it again. Derry City lined out in Inchicore with a weakened starting eleven, missing Cameron Dummigan, Ciarán Coll, Daniel Kelly, Ben Doherty and Mark Connolly. Shane McEleney captained the side, whilst Duncan Idehen made his first start for the club at left back. Patrick McEleney and Pat Hoban started on the bench despite both being ruled out through injury earlier in the week. A glancing Joe Redmond header eight minutes in was the first real attempt of the game, whilst referee Rob Hennessy set an early precedent by booking Andre Wisdom before the six minute mark. By the 36^th minute, five players had already been booked. Four for Derry (Wisdom, Boyce, Diallo for no apparent reason and Idehen) and one for Jamie Lennon of St. Pat’s. Before the clock struck forty, Derry City had the best opportunity of the game. After Danny Mullen was pushed by Tom Grivosti, Derry’s Scottish striker took the free kick quickly by sliding it through to Adam O’Reilly. O’Reilly rounded Joseph Anang in the Pat’s goal, but his off-balanced effort didn’t have the required power behind it to beat the onrushing defenders and was cleared by Anto Breslin. A great opportunity for a man reportedly linked with joining Stephen Kenny’s side in 2025.  Five minutes later, and Pat’s had opened the scoring. Anto Breslin’s shot from distance ricocheted into the path of Aidan Keena who found himself onside and in the box with just Brian Maher to aim at. His shot was saved brilliantly by Maher, but some pinballing in the box and a poor clearance from Shane McEleney saw former Derry man Brandon Kavanagh fire home. A great finish from a man who the club should never really have let go. We got €25k for him, but it ultimately cost us a league title.

As hoped, Derry started the second half on the front foot. Replacing Ronan Boyce at half time, Collie Whelan found time and space outside the Pat’s box and unleashed a dipping effort off the crossbar on the 56^th minute. Painfully close for the former UCD man. Less than ten minutes later and City should have scored again. Paul McMullan’s low ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by either Anang or Redmond and flicked up just inches behind Collie Whelan who was storming into the area. Wisdom’s ball back in was palmed right into the path of Michael Duffy who, with the net to aim at, fired right at Anang in the Pat’s goal. Derry piling on the pressure but with those missed chances, you just knew it wasn’t going to be our night.

Chris Forrester had the best chance in the remainder of the second half, rouletting and feinting into the Derry box behind firing just wide – if that went it would’ve been one of the goals of the season. The final whistle blew, confirming Derry’s worst fears. In a race that was two horse between Derry and Shelbourne all year, City could now finish fourth. Only Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers can now win the league, with it looking like we may need to win the cup to get European football in 2025. A bitter end to an up-and-down campaign. It’s the hope that kills you folks, we’re City ‘til we die and that’s why it hurts. Always next year, and the year after, and the year after…

Derry City:

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ injury-hit Candystripes didn’t play badly against Pat’s on Friday. They needed a win, but going to a Pat’s side who haven’t lost in two months was always a tough ask. With Hennessy booking Wisdom within six minutes, Derry City knew they’d be up against it from the start. That’s now just one win for Derry in their last 28 matches refereed by Rob Hennessy. Duncan Idehen did well at left back in the circumstances, it was his full City debut in the biggest match of the season and he was playing out of position. Andre Wisdom and Shane McEleney made an experienced centre back partnership. Wisdom found joy with underlapping runs when going forward in the second half and I didn’t think McEleney had a bad game despite his sliced clearance gifting Pats the game’s only goal. Adam O’Reilly led the energy in the middle of the pitch for City. He’s linked with a move to Inchicore at the end of the season, but Derry holding onto him for another couple of years could be as big as any new signing. The Pat’s defence scuppered Will Patching and Danny Mullen from getting involved in the game whilst Michael Duffy was swarmed by two men at all times – Stephen Kenny identifying his former winger as Derry’s primary threat. Colm Whelan gave Derry City something else going forward and is a different player now that he’s fit and firing again, he’s another man who we need to offer a new contract to ASAP. As was the story in the past couple of weeks, it was vital missed chances that eventually put an end to City’s title charge but, in all honesty, we had probably lost any chance at winning the league with those two draws in our games in hand. To think we would’ve been going into that Pats game two points clear had Paul McMullan scored from six yards against Bohs and Sean Robertson’s stoppage time effort against Sligo didn’t go over the crossbar. If that penalty against Shamrock Rovers wasn’t given, we’d have been out well before now.

Patrick McEleney, who had a plantar fascia injury that would likely rule him out for the season, came off the bench on Friday night. Patrick Hoban, despite being named on the bench in the last two games, doesn’t seem to be fit enough to play in the last couple of games. Instead of risking him further, I wouldn’t play him against Shelbourne either. City’s main signing heading into the season will hopefully finish as the league’s top scorer with 14 goals as long as Pádraig Amond doesn’t score against Rovers on Friday and Johnny Kenny doesn’t bag a brace against Waterford. Not a bad return for Dundalk’s record goal-scorer, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Colm Whelan start 2025 as our main striker if he stays on. Derry City will be trying to stop Shelbourne from lifting the title in the Brandywell on Friday. A win for City would see Rovers win the league as they’ll probably beat Waterford and, after their storming win away to Larne in the UEFA Conference League, they’re looking good for it at the minute. You’d hope for a good result to take into the cup final as it’s always a good day out. It feels like no time since that first game of the season against Drogheda United in the Brandywell though, that was eight and a half worryingly quick months ago.

 

Friday’s game against Shelbourne could be the last time we see some of the current squad play for Derry City in the Brandywell. Transfermarkt say that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ contract is up at the end of the year and the list of players out of contract at the end of this season doesn’t make for good reading. I’ll list them for you here; Brian Maher, Ciarán Coll, Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Patrick McEleney, Andre Wisdom, Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching and Colm Whelan (Transfermarkt). I’m not going to name here who I’d keep and who I’d let go, but you can decide for yourself from that list. There are players there who have been crucial to our team since Higgins had his first proper transfer window ahead of the 2022 season. At the same time, I think that team does need some new blood in it across the field. Centre back and centre midfield seem to be the two areas that I’d assume we’d freshen up on. We have a high average age, so fresh, young talent will do us no harm.  Securing European football before the cup final will be the aim for the Candystripes on Friday night, a draw for Derry would do that if Sligo Rovers beat St. Pat’s. This day three weeks ago we were talking about going two points clear at the top with two home wins. Now, there’s a fear that we could miss out on Europe. Two positive results for City on Friday and next Sunday should hopefully have us entering 2025 looking forward for a new season and with the buzz of a new stand behind the goal on the Lone Moor Road end. Christ, what a year.

Players of the Year:

Nobody has asked for this part, but I’m doing it anyway. It’s my very prestigious list of my top three Derry City players of 2024:

1.        Adam O’Reilly – The heart of City’s midfield, Adam O’Reilly kept the Derry City side ticking in 2024. His energy, close control and passion earned him the love of the City faithful. Rarely does the 23 year old put a foot wrong and there aren’t many in the country who compare to O’Reilly in that deeper midfield role. Coming to the end of his second season at Derry, he’s established himself as a key player for the Candystripes, who will surely be hoping to tie him down to a new contract at the end of the season.

 

2.        Pat Hoban – Dundalk’s all-time record goal-scorer joined Derry City for €25,000 ahead of the 2024 campaign as the Candystripes’ marquee signing. A statement of intent from Ruaidhrí Higgins, Hoban’s goalscoring threat gave Derry a focal point in attack that wasn’t previously available. Physical, strong in the air and comfortable backing into a defender, Hoban has hit the ground running at the Brandywell. With 14 goals in the league, he’s on course to finish the season as the Premier Division top scorer and would’ve likely scored more had he not missed five games through injury. Hoban will be the first Derry City player since Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe in 2019 to claim the Premier Division golden boot if Pádraig Amond and Johnny Kenny don’t bag a couple on Friday.

 

3.        Michael Duffy – One of the finest League of Ireland wingers of his generation, Michael Duffy rejoined Derry City in 2022 after a successful spell at Dundalk. City’s number 7 is a joy to watch on his day, cutting in from the left to whip shots towards the keeper’s far post, like an inverted, Shantallow Arjen Robben. His haul of five goals and five assists in the league isn’t bad at all, but he almost single-handedly took Derry City to the FAI Cup final in 2024. He scored in City’s 3-0 win over St. Pat’s and 2-0 win over Shelbourne, as well as lighting up Dalymount with a brace in the semi-final against Bohemians. His free kick against Bohs will be watched time and time again, whilst the 30 year old will hope to drive his side to the FAI Cup once again next week. His form has been recognised as he was named alongside Pádraig Amond and Dylan Watts as candidates for the PFAI Men’s Player of the Year award.

 

 

Shelbourne:

Just under two years ago, Derry City beat Shelbourne 4-0 in the 2022 FAI Cup final. It was a record breaking cup final win, but despite the scoreline, it marked a successful first season in senior management for Damien Duff. The 100 time Ireland international and two time Premier League winner inherited a Shelbourne side that had been promoted from the First Division and guided them to league safety and a cup final in his first season. By the end of 2023, Shelbourne would finish fourth in the League of Ireland and see European football in 2024 as a result of St. Pat’s’ cup final win. Now into the final game of his third season at the helm, Duff’s Shelbourne would win the Premier Division with victory in the Brandywell, or if Shamrock Rovers fail to beat Waterford. Yes, the league’s been ‘poorer’ than previous seasons, and it was Derry’s league to lose less than a month ago, but Shelbourne have spent the vast majority of the past seven months at the summit of the table. In fact, if Shamrock Rovers manage to win the league on Friday, it’ll be the first time all season that they’ve been top of the pile.

Shelbourne’s defence has been their foundation over the past few seasons. They currently have the best defensive record in the league, conceding 27 in 35 games. That’s one fewer than Galway United on 28. In 2023, only Derry City had a more resolute defence than Shels. Derry conceded 24 in 36 last year, whilst Shels let in just 27. Despite finishing fourth in 2023, Shelbourne have actually scored less goals this year than last and sit on the same points total as they finished last season with. They’ve struggled with ruthlessness this term, but they’ve managed to find goals when it’s mattered, winning 2-1 and 3-1 in their last two to keep their title push alive. That was also coming off the back of a run which saw them win just one in twelve league games and still remain top.

Key to that defensive solidity has been Paddy Barrett. He, alongside midfielder and captain Mark Coyle, were named in the PFAI Team of the Year this season. Barrett’s experience has seen him installed as a mainstay at the back, alongside fellow veterans Sean Gannon and Shane Griffin. Mark Coyle is a hard-hitting number six, whilst goalkeeper Conor Kearns has kept the second most clean sheets in the league with 15, one behind Brendan Clarke of Galway United. His average goals conceded per game stat of 0.8 is also a league best and odes to the defence in front of him. Brian Maher, for comparison, isn’t far behind – he’s kept 13 clean sheets and concedes 0.9 per game on average. Liam Burt, on loan from Shamrock Rovers, provides Shelbourne width in the midfield alongside fellow Scotsman Ali Coote. Rayhaan Tulloch and Matty Smith, returning from a three game ban, are other wide options – both scored screamers against St. Pat’s earlier in the month. Harry Wood returned in the centre of the pitch from Hull City after a spell on loan at Shels in 2023, whilst JJ Lunney has shown his quality in midfield throughout the campaign. Number 9 Sean Boyd’s recent form has maintained Shelbourne’s status at the top. He’s climbing up the goalscoring charts with 10 in the league and has scored three and assisted two in his last five games. His 89^th minute equaliser in the Brandywell back in May ensured that City didn’t overtake Shelbourne at the summit after an earlier Paul McMullan strike. He could be the main man for Shels on Friday.

Round-up:

A win on Friday for Shelbourne would secure their first league title since 2006, when they beat Derry City to the crown on goal difference. City will be hoping to spoil Shels’ party in the Brandywell this week, but should they do so, they’ll hand Shamrock Rovers a historic fifth title in a row. It’s a bit of a nightmare scenario in honesty if you’re a Derry fan, especially knowing that it was in our own hands on so many occasions and we failed to capitalise. Shelbourne have it in them to come back from a goal or two down too, but haven’t won in the Brandywell since April 2022. Shels haven’t beaten Derry City in any competition since that loss, with City winning four and the other seven being draws. The past six league meetings between Derry City and Shelbourne have seen the spoils shared, whilst City’s 2-0 FAI Cup quarter final victory over Duff’s side in September is up there with Derry’s best performances of the season. This one could really go either way and there’s so much on the line. With four red cards coming from the previous seven league encounters, there could be fireworks on Friday – and not just ones left over from Halloween. It’s been a final few games from hell for Derry City in 2024, but Ruaidhrí Higgins will be hoping that his men can bow out of league action with a positive result on Friday before a massive FAI Cup final tie with Drogheda United next Sunday. Watching Shelbourne lift the title would be the scariest thing we’d see this Halloween so, for once, I’m just about okay with Shamrock Rovers winning the league. Again.

Pól O’Hare – 30^th October 2024

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City: Match Preview (25th October 2024)

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City: Match Preview (25^th October 2024)

 

St Patrick’s Athletic FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 35, Richmond Park, Friday 25^th October 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

After breaking a five game winless run in league action with a 2-0 victory away to Dundalk last Friday, Derry City travel to the form team in the division needing a win to take the Premier Division title down to the last day. Last week’s win condemned Dundalk to the First Division, whilst St. Pat’s’ win over Galway United was their seventh consecutive league win. Victory on Friday for the Candystripes would give them the opportunity to win the league in the Brandywell on the 1^st of November.

Last time out – Dundalk 0-2 Derry City:

Derry City, who had just one league win in the previous ten matches, travelled to Dundalk last Friday with the home side needing a win to stay afloat in the Premier Division for another week. There wasn’t the sense of quiet confidence that you might expect from a title chasing side travelling to a relegation-doomed opponent that you might have expected leading into the game. Dundalk had drawn to Galway United a week prior and were expected to fight with life and limb to keep their Premier Division status alive for another week. The opening exchanges weren’t much to write home about. After a relatively quiet first ten minutes, the twelfth minute saw Dundalk’s Jamie Gullan shoot straight at Brian Maher in the first attempt in anger of the game. Four minutes later and the away side had taken the lead. Michael Duffy’s floated, outswinging corner was met by the head of Danny Mullen who powered the ball towards Collie Whelan. Whether aware of it or not, the ball struck the former UCD man’s back before deflecting into the top corner. Making his first start since signing 22 months ago, Whelan had his first goal of the season, and what a time it had come at. 1-0 Derry with just over a quarter of an hour gone. The home side came closest again the first half just past the 34 minute mark. Some excellent control in the middle of the park by Aodh Dervin saw the midfielder play an outside-of-the-boot pass through to Jamie Gullan. The Scottish striker was bearing down on Brian Maher with a golden opportunity to level the tie, but Dundalk’s top goalscorer drove the ball centimetres past the far post and wide. A real let of for Derry, who were undone by a moment of real quality by Aodh Dervin.

The rest of the first half petered out without much incident but, within a minute of the restart, Dundalk had another fine chance to go level. Sadou Diallo saw his pocket picked deep inside City territory and the ball made its way out to Daryl Horgan on the right flank. The former Ireland international delivered a perfectly weighted ball onto the head of Jad Hakiki, who nodded straight at Maher – either side of City’s keeper and that was a certain goal. A bright start by the Lilywhites, who cleared an Adam O’Reilly header off the line just a minute later. It was 70 minutes in before City found another good opportunity. Michael Duffy, who had another impressive performance for Derry, found time and space in the box after a well worked corner routine. The 30 year old’s curling effort was just inches wide of Ross Munro’s left hand post. Duffy and McMullan linked well again four minutes later when Duffy was sent in behind the Dundalk defence by a Will Patching ball from deep. The winger squared the ball into the centre of the box to be met by Paul McMullan who was approaching the penalty spot. Twelve yards out, the Scotsman fired straight at the Dundalk keeper. Another massive opportunity which went begging for McMullan – compounding with recent misses against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers to keep the 28 year old awake at night. Duffy took centre stage again on the 75 minute mark when he slalomed into the box, only to be felled by Robbie Benson. There were no doubts over the validity of the penalty, which was duly and cooly dispatched in typical fashion by Will Patching. Carrying a niggling groin injury, Patching marked his 26^th birthday with a calm finish into the bottom corner – a trademark penalty by the former Manchester City and Dundalk man to seal his former side’s fate and wrap up all three points for City.
At this point, City were top of the league. Within minutes though, both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers had scored winners past the 80^th minute mark to keeping the former top and maintain the pressure of the latter. Those three points for City render Friday’s game against Pat’s vital in their title charge.

Derry City:

With Pat Hoban, Ben Doherty, Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McEleney, Ciarán Coll and Daniel Kelly all out injured, Ruaidhrí Higgins handed a first start in two years to Collie Whelan and a first start in eleven to Shane McEleney. Whelan’s hard work in returning from back-to-back ACL injuries was rewarded with his early goal, whilst Shane McEleney’s experience added to that of his defensive counterparts in keeping a clean sheet and getting the win in the bag. The lack of Patrick McEleney and Ciarán Coll in the squad last Friday was a concern – both players are senior players whose experience would’ve been vital in the final days of the campaign had they not picked up season-ending injuries. The apparent injury to Mark Connolly in the second half will only add to Higgins’ injury woes, at a time when you need as big a squad as possible. Will Patching isn’t fully fit either but will be playing through the pain barrier for the next few games. Centre back Duncan Idehen saw his first minutes in red and white after joining in the summer, the 22 year old will likely feature more next term as he’s signed until the end of 2025.

Andre Wisdom filled in at left-back against Dundalk, whilst Shane McEleney featured at left centre half – two naturally right footed players who will hope St. Patrick’s’ wingers have an off day on Friday. Michael Duffy was central to most of Derry’s attacking threat last week, whilst Danny Mullen linked up well and Sadou Diallo had yet another good performance in midfield – the 25 year old has been impressive in the past few games after a tough start to the campaign.

There are no two ways about it, Friday night’s game against St Pat’s is as tough as they come and the biggest of Ruaidhrí Higgins tenure. Two days after his 40^th birthday, a win for Higgins side will take the league title down to the last day. That means that victory of Shelbourne would guarantee a first title since 1997. On the other hand, defeat or even a draw against Pat’s would put Derry City out of the title race if Shelbourne beat Drogheda United in Tolka. Drogheda are a hard team to play against, but with Dundalk’s relegation and Bohemians’ safety both confirmed, the Louth side have nothing to play for until the play-offs and cup final. They won’t want to risk players so, with no disrespect to Kevin Doherty’s men, Shelbourne will likely win. Shamrock Rovers also travel to Dundalk who, of course, are already dead and buried. They’ll be playing only for pride and Rovers currently sit level on points with Derry. St. Pat’s are just two points behind Derry and would leapfrog the Candystripes into a European spot with victory in Inchicore. They haven’t lost in any competition since falling to Istanbul Basaksehir in the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League, but have lost all four of their previous meetings with Derry in league and cup action this year with an aggregate loss of 9-2. City’s last away game in Dublin was the cup semi-final against Bohemians, another huge game. The crowd was bouncing and the performance was on point, we’ll hope for more of the same on Friday. Inchicore is probably the very last place you’d want to go to when needing a win. It’s these games that show what champions elect are made of though. St Pat's and Cork City are the only two sides in all competitions who Derry have a 100% winning record against in 2024, so we do know how to beat them. All is on the line here in City’s biggest league game since 2006. To compound any Derry City anxiety, Friday’s referee is Rob Hennessy. Derry City have won just one of the last 27 games he’s been in charge of. Anyone else nervous?

 

St Patrick’s Athletic:

Following a poor start to the season which saw manager Jon Daly sacked after picking up just five wins from the first fifteen, St Pat’s pulled off arguably the biggest League of Ireland managerial coup of the century and brought in Stephen Kenny, most recently manager of the Irish national team. The Saints’ change in fortunes wasn’t immediate, winning just one of the former Derry City and Dundalk manager’s first six fixtures. Once they got Europe out of the way, which included wins over Vaduz and Sabah before drawing then losing to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League play-offs, Pats’ finally clicked. That loss in Turkey was St Pat’s most recent loss in all competitions, dating back to August. Seven league wins on the bounce for Kenny’s men since, the most of any side this season and just two away from equalling the club record. In short, Pat’s away is the absolute last place you want to go when you need a win to stay in the title race.

The Inchicore side sit fourth in the table, two points behind Derry City and four behind Shelbourne. There was a time this season when Pat’s looked unlikely to qualify for Europe, let alone having the possibility of taking the league title down to the very last game. They’ve netted 20 goals and conceded 6 since that loss in Istanbul and you have to go back to July to find their last league loss. Derry City’s 3-0 FAI Cup win means they are the only Irish team to have beaten St. Pat’s since 4^th July. In the space of ten days in late September, Pat’s beat Waterford 3-0 at home, inflicted Shamrock Rovers’ biggest domestic home defeat in years by beating them 3-0 in Tallaght before going to beat Shelbourne 3-2 in Tolka Park on the last day of the month. They’re certainly a force to be reckoned with.

There hasn’t really been a single standout performer for St Pat’s in 2024. Brandon Kavanagh, a winter signing from Derry City, has 12 assists and 5 league goals – putting him top of the Premier Division assist table. Wideman Jake Mulraney, who has been in fine form under Stephen Kenny, is their top scorer with 7 in the league. One goal behind him is teenage sensation Mason Melia – a striker with a €1m price tag who only turned 17 a month ago. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are reportedly interested, as is probably every other club who can afford him. I can’t think of a better teenage prospect in the LOI in a long time. Aidan Keena, winner of the 2022 golden boot when at Sligo Rovers, has scored four in his last five since signing from Cheltenham Town to replace the outgoing Ruairí Keating. Zach Elbouzedi was another astute signing – he signed from AIK Stockholm and has contributed to five goals in his last seven outings. Recent injures to himself and Mulraney will limit Pats’ quality on the wings, but Jason McClelland and Alex Nolan aren’t bad deputies.

Kian Leavy, Jamie Lennon and Chris Forrester have been instrumental in the engine room this campaign, whilst Romal Palmer has showed his class and pedigree since joining on-loan from Göztepe. Joe Redmond is arguably the best centre back in the league at the minute and is partnered by Tom Grivosti – scorer of a wondergoal in the Brandywell a couple of years back. Axel Sjoberg struggled against Michael Duffy earlier in the season but has been vital going forward from right back, meanwhile Joseph Anang became first choice goalkeeper instantly when he rejoined the club from West Ham United.

Pat’s will fancy their chances for a European berth now at the very least, even if they don’t beat Derry on Friday. They’re unbeaten at home in all competitions since June but have lost to Derry five of the past ten times in Richmond Park, winning four and drawing one of the other five. That also includes a 4-0 win for Derry and a 4-1 win for Pats. In Inchicore at least, there hasn’t been too much to separate the sides recently. This one seems to have the makings of an absolute classic. Kenny was Derry’s manager when we lost the league on the final day of the season in both 2005 and 2006 - could do with him letting us get the three points on Friday.

Round-up:

This is one of those games that gets people who have no interest in football asking what the score is. City haven’t lost in Dublin since May, Pat’s haven’t lost at home since June. It’s the closest Derry City have been to a league title in eighteen years, and a win on Friday would mean that, even if Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers also win, Derry will have the chance to lift the title with a win on the final day. Even a draw won’t be enough if Shelbourne win – we’d mathematically be out of the race and would likely have to watch them lift it in the Brandywell next Friday. I don’t even want to think about it to be honest. Both sides will fancy their chances in Richmond Park, the momentum is with Pats thanks to their winning streak, but City’s win in Dundalk will give the players confidence. This could go down in Derry City history forever - get the candles lit, we may need all the help we can get.

Pól O’Hare -  23 October 2024

Dundalk v Derry City: Match Preview (18th October 2024)

 

Dundalk v Derry City: Match Preview

 

 

Dundalk FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 34, Oriel Park, Friday 18^th October 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

Derry City could have been top of the table with a win and a draw against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers last weekend. Instead, the Candystripes’ anticlimactic duo of back-to-back draws sees them second in the league, two points off top spot with three games to go. With the toughest run in of the top three, City must win their remaining three games to be in with a chance of glory. First up is a tough trip to relegation doomed Dundalk on Friday, who know that their First Division fate could be confirmed should they lose to Derry City. This is make or break at both ends of the table.

(Second) Last time out – Derry City 1-1 Bohemians:

After a 2-0 win over Bohemians in the FAI Cup semi-final a week earlier for Derry City, it was always going to be difficult to beat the same team twice on the bounce. Much like that match in Dalymount, Friday night was something of a game of two halves. With new £1m Celtic signing Luke McCowan in attendance, alongside senior internationals in the form of Norwich and Ireland defender Shane Duffy, and Hearts and Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland, Bohemians started the better side. They kept hold of the ball well and frustrated Derry, as they did in the first half a week prior. Centre back Jevon Mills seemed to find himself with time on the ball as Derry allowed the away side to pass it between their defenders. Dayle Rooney’s powerful effort from distance was the first major action of the game after just three minutes, stinging the fingers of Brian Maher who parried it over his crossbar. Before the ten minute mark though, Derry City nearly had the breakthrough. Michael Duffy, scorer of both goals a week prior, bent a free kick over the Bohs well and onto Kacper Chorazka’s crossbar. So close to two free wonderful free kicks in two weeks for City’s number seven. Three minutes after that and Derry really should have scored. A well worked move saw Hoban receive the ball before feeding it through to Michael Duffy, storming into the box. Duffy’s pulled ball back into the area got stuck under the feet of Paul McMullan who eventually saw his stabbed effort cleared off the line by Jordan Flores. A big scare for the away side and two missed opportunities in quick succession for the Candystripes.

By the twenty minute mark, Alan Reynolds’ men had taken the lead. Neat interchange between Paddy Kirk and James Clarke saw Dayle Rooney receive it on the far left touchline. The winger’s ball right across the face of goal was met by Scottish midfielder Archie Meekison at the back post, who duly clipped it over Maher and into the back of the net. It was a deserved goal for the away side, who were mounting pressure in the Derry half. Within a minute of the restart, Will Patching found himself in behind the Bohs defence - his effort was comfortably saved by the Polish shot-stopper. Derry’s last opportunity of the half came via a whipped Ben Doherty cross six minutes from time, which would have been converted by Pat Hoban had it not been for the toe of a stretching Jevon Mills to poke it behind.

It was the home side’s turn to go up a gear and turn up the pressure on Bohemians after the restart. Less than ten minutes in and Ben Doherty ,who had been fantastic in Dalymount a week prior, pulled up when trying to burst down the left flank. It didn’t look good for the 27 year old, who looked to be in real pain and was replaced by Danny Mullen. Just minutes later and the Candystripes were lucky to keep eleven men on the pitch when Andre Wisdom pulled back Dayle Rooney after having his pocket picked by the former Drogheda United man. Rooney would have been one on one with Brian Maher had Wisdom not fouled him – the former Liverpool and Derby County man coming away with a yellow card, but it was a necessary foul that prevented a likely goal.

Two minutes later and Derry City had equalised. An out-swinging Michael Duffy corner was met expertly by Pat Hoban just twenty seconds after the hour mark, who powered past Chorazka and into the top corner. The Candystripes were now in the ascendancy and searching for a winner. That could, and should, have come on the 76^th minute when Michael Duffy’s fantastic trivela pass from his own half fed Danny Mullen in behind the Bohemians defence. Mullen squared it across the box and into the path of Paul McMullan who had an empty net to convert into. The winger’s side footed effort from inside the six yard box came crashing off the post. A major let off for Bohemians, and a major miss for Derry City. The Scotsman should have had a brace at this point. Substitute Sean Robertson had another golden opportunity to win it for Derry in injury time when he won it from Paddy Kirk deep in Bohs territory. He could have put his foot through it when he got into the box, especially after feinting past Jake Carroll, but took one touch too many and saw the ball swarmed away by the Bohs defenders. It finished 1-1, making it one win in eight in the league for the Candystripes. At this point, a win on Monday over Sligo would still put City top of the league but it really felt like two points dropped rather than one gained.

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

In true DCFC fashion, that win on Monday night never came. Sligo Rovers, a bogey of team of late for the Candystripes, hadn’t lost to City in a year and a half. Knowing that three points for them would take them just a point behind Derry, Sligo fielded an energetic team and set out with a gameplan right from the off. Within the first fifteen minutes, City had shouts for a penalty when Boyce fell to ground in the box after feeling a push as he was shaping to shoot. Little attention was paid to the penalty calls by the referee, who waived away City protests. After a relatively flat first half hour or so, Oli Denham dispossessed Patrick Hoban who took a heavy touch on the halfway line. The ball was sprayed out to the flank by Arsenal loanee Jack Henry-Francis, allowing Luke Pierce space to cross into the box. Andre Wisdom got his head to it before some pinballing on the edge of the box saw the ball sit perfectly for Englishman Conor Malley, who took one touch before volleying past Maher from range. A spectacular opening to the score, but a sucker-punch from Derry’s point of view. Another few minutes later and Pat Hoban, who seemed to be clutching his hamstring after leaping for a header, was replaced by Danny Mullen. Two blows for Ruaidhrí Higgins, whose side found themselves without their top scorer and a goal down going into half time.

Despite the introductions of Patrick McEleney, Jacob Davenport and Collie Whelan at half time, it was the away team who came out fighting. Within a minute and a half of the restart, Will Fitzgerald smashed the ball into the side-netting after some interplay with Simon Power. An early close call for City in the second phase. Oli Denham’s skied effort from a volley inside the box just three minutes later showed that Sligo weren’t for slowing down. To the surprise of many in the Brandywell, City found themselves level on the 53^rd minute. Collie Whelan knocked the ball forward to Danny Mullen, who played fellow Scot Paul McMullan down the wing on the counter attack. McMullan’s dangerous ball in was sliced by left back Reece Hutchinson, looping over Ed McGinty and into the back of the net. Luck, for once, on Derry’s side who now needed one goal to go top of the table.

Momentum was now with the Candystripes, who had a spring in their step for the first time in the game. Just before the hour mark, Collie Whelan tested McGinty with a low-shot on the turn – dealt with comfortably by the Oxford United loanee. Sligo Rovers had the next big opportunity, and it was one which they should have been scoring. After picking out Fitzgerald down the flank, Ellis Chapman made way into the box and, inside the six yard box with just Brian Maher to aim past, the Englishman misplaced his effort wide. A big scare for the Candystripes at the hands of Rovers’ two dangermen. Paul McMullan’s mazy run on the 69^th minute came to no avail for Derry as he shot straight at McGinty, before the away side saw themselves reduced to ten five minutes later.  Luke Pearce, already on a yellow, penalised for colliding with Brian Maher in the box. This came just after Ellis Chapman went down off the ball. The Sligo talisman jarred his knee in the turf and was eventually stretchered off after minutes of treatment, it didn’t look good for the Englishman. Despite the ten men of the away side, City only had one golden opportunity in the remainder of the game. After Colm Whelan’s near post header was well saved by the Sligo shot-stopper, a deep Michael Duffy ball found Sean Robertson at the back post. The winger, who had the goal at his mercy, fired over the crossbar deep into additional time. Too little. too late for Derry City, whose missed opportunities in front of goal against both Bohemians and Sligo Rovers cost them precious points in the title race.

Derry City:

For all their opportunities against Bohemians on Friday, Derry City came away with just one point and one goal. That goal put Pat Hoban two clear at the top of the goal-scoring chart in the Premier Division, but the misses of McMullan and Robertson should really have been converted into more than one goal for City. Michael Duffy, Ronan Boyce and Sadou Diallo in particular were great once the game got going on Friday. Duffy was lively down the left, smothered by at least two men at all times, preventing him from cutting inside. That free kick just ten minutes in came painfully close to opening the score, and bagging the 30 year old his fourth against Bohs this year. Will Patching’s effort just minutes after the visitor’s goal was another golden opportunity, whilst Paul McMullan’s duo of misses probably would have swung the game in the favour of the Brandywell side. On another night, City could have scored three or four, but it wasn’t to be on Friday. The injury to Ben Doherty will lose City some attacking flair down the left flank, although Sean Robertson looked dangerous after replacing Paul McMullan.

Knowing that a win on Monday would have put them top of the league, Derry City failed to capitalise on either of their games in hand over the weekend. The draw on Monday meant that City have now won just once in the league since mid-June and picked up two points out of a possible six over the weekend – when four could’ve put us top. Derry are now second, level on points with Shamrock Rovers and two behind Shelbourne. While that doesn’t sound awful, we now need a side who have one league win in their last nine to win their last three to reach maximum points. That includes away games against Dundalk and St. Pat’s, a side literally fighting for their survival and a club who have six wins on the bounce. The last game, at the Brandywell against Shelbourne, seemed that it would be the title decider for months. Now though, the trophy may not be lifted by either side in Derry on the 1^st of November. It’s a tough ask for even the most optimistic Derry City supporter to keep the belief for a title win – we’re now hoping for a miracle and a few favours from Drogheda United against Shels and Rovers to stay in it. It’s the hope that kills you, but it’s not all said and done just yet.

Derry City are without Pat Hoban, possibly for the remainder of the season, after his injury on Friday night. It didn’t look good for the league’s top scorer, who will be hoping neither Johnny Kenny or Pádraig Amond top his 14 goal haul this campaign as he hunts for the golden boot. Cameron Dummigan has been a big miss recently, whilst Will Patching doesn’t seem to be 100% fit. Mark Connolly struggled towards the end on Monday night too. On the other hand, Colm Whelan had his best game since coming back from injury earlier in the summer. He got involved playing deeper than usual, coming close on two occasions. Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney didn’t stop running, but it was disappointing to see a few heads drop after conceding. Ruaidhrí Higgins will be hoping for his senior players to pull the rest of the squad through the next few games to have any hope of maintaining this title push alive. Fail to win on Friday and we’ll be in a scrap to get Europe let alone the title this year.

Dundalk:

After winning the League of Ireland Premier Division five times between 2014 and 2019, and reaching UEFA Europa League group stages in 2016 and 2020, Dundalk found themselves hours away from extinction in September. Brian Ainscough, the Irish-American businessman who funded Kerry FC before taking control of Dundalk in late 2023, revealed that the club had amassed losses of €1.2m and could struggle to make it to the end of the season. With players and staff seeing wages unpaid, and lingering rock bottom of the Premier Division table, Dundalk were in a dire state. The death of club stalwart Mark ‘Maxi’ Kavanagh made a tough year even harder for the Lilywhite faithful. It was lovely to see fans from clubs all over Ireland coming to attend his funeral recently, showing how much of a character he was.

It’s at the stage now where, if Dundalk fail to beat Derry City on Friday and Drogheda United beat Shamrock Rovers, the Lilywhites will be relegated. It’ll hurt even more knowing that seven current Derry players used to play for Dundalk, as did manager Ruaidhrí Higgins. Pat Hoban is the club’s record goal-scorer and could’ve played a part in relegating them on Friday had it not been for the recent injury.

Despite being taken over by a consortium led by John Temple, a Dundalk native, the club’s issues are far from solved. It’s been recently revealed that the 1903 Supporters Club will fund Dundalk’s academy teams, allowing Temple to cover first team costs. Despite the turmoil though, the players haven’t thrown in the towel just yet. Eoin Kenny’s stoppage time equaliser against Galway United salvaged a point against a team who would’ve gone second with a win. Despite winning just five league games in 2024, and crashing out of the FAI Cup at the first attempt, two of those wins did come in the derby over Drogheda United and away to St. Pat’s. Home wins over Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Sligo Rovers show that they still have it in them to get one over teams in big games. Two home ties over Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, before making the short journey south to Drogheda United on the final day, mark a difficult trio of games for Jon Daly’s men. Whilst their relegation is all but confirmed, Derry City can’t take them for granted – as was shown earlier in the season with 0-0 and 1-1 draws played out between the sides.

Dundalk haven’t won in any competition since the 12^th of July, when they beat their Louth neighbours Drogheda United 4-2 in Oriel Park. It’s been seven losses and three draws in the ten games since then. They mathematically can’t avoid the relegation zone this season. At best for Dundalk, they’d hope for huge wins over Derry and Shamrock Rovers, alongside a Drogheda capitulation. That’d put them on 31 points going into the final day, two behind Drogheda even if Kevin Doherty’s men lose to Rovers and Shelbourne in their next two. It just so happens that Dundalk and Drogheda face each other on the final day. The Lilywhites’ 23 goals scored is the lowest in the league, but they’ve conceded eight less than Drogs in ninth.

Veteran winger Daryl Horgan, who signed a two-year contract extension earlier in the season, has been Dundalk’s best player this campaign. A club legend appearing nearly 100 times for the club between 2014 and 2016, including receiving a Republic of Ireland call-up, Horgan has four goals and four assists this term. Those eight goal contributions mark 33% of Dundalk’s entire goal tally in 2024. Jamie Gullan, the Scottish forward who’s wicked from free kicks, is their top scorer with six goals, but he has bagged just once since June. His free kick wondergoal in Tallaght on the opening day of the campaign is worth watching again. Ryan O’Kane is a young winger with bags of potential, he scored Dundalk’s only goal in the 4-1 loss in the Brandywell in April. Fellow wide man Sam Durrant joined Dundalk from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2023 and has two caps for the Sri Lankan national team. He wears number 10 for Sri Lanka and qualifies to play for them through his mother.

Midfield duo Jad Hakiki and Aodh Dervin were two astute signings in the summer window, coming in from Shelbourne and Galway United respectively. The latter saw himself in bother with Galway manager John Caulfield last time out when Caulfield refused to shake Dervin’s hand after the match following his tackle on left-back Greg Cunningham, which has ruled the veteran defender out for the season. 32 year old midfielder Robbie Benson still plays with the passion he did when he first joined the Lilywhites from UCD eight years ago – he has five goal involvements this term. Scottish goalkeeper Ross Munro has had a rocky start to life in Louth, with some high profile errors costing his side. Meanwhile, veteran defenders Andy Boyle and John Mountney are still going strong for Dundalk well into their 30s.

Round-up:

Dundalk haven’t beaten Derry City since the last day of the 2022 season, when former City midfielder Keith Ward struck a sweet volley into the bottom corner, ensuring that his side finished the campaign level on points with the Candystripes. Derry finished second that year, with Dundalk third – no one would have seen them stricken in tenth two years later. Two draws from the previous three encounters between these two in 2024 will give the Lilywhites hope for a point on Friday. In the same vein, going to a relegation scrapping side three games out from the end of the season is not somewhere you want to go when you need wins to maintain a title push. Ruaidhrí Higgins and his men found that out the hard way three weeks ago when losing 2-1 away to Drogheda United. City beat Dundalk 4-1 in the Brandywell back in April and you can cast your mind back to the last game of the 2021 season when City travelled to Dundalk for an end of season crunch tie. Goals from Jamie McGonigle and Ciaron Harkin saw City pick up their first win in Oriel since 2013 that night and ensured that European football returned Derry for 2022 (via at St. Pat’s cup win). Wins for Drogheda in their next two (Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne) would do Derry massive favours but relegate Dundalk. A lot of the Derry squad will have fond memories of Dundalk after spending parts of their career there, but City are still just about in the hunt for a first title since 1997 and can’t afford to be dropping points at this stage of the season. With just two games left after this one, it’s a must win for both teams down in Oriel Park.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16^th October 2024

Double Preview: Derry City v Bohemians & Sligo Rovers (11th & 14th October 2024)

 

Double Preview: Derry City v Bohemians & Sligo Rovers (11th & 14th October 2024)

 

Derry City FC v Bohemian FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 30, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 11^th October 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 33, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Monday 14^th October 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City are once again Aviva bound after a brilliant 2-0 win away to Bohemians in the FAI Cup semi-final last Friday. Michael Duffy’s brace meant that Derry scored their seventh and eighth goals in the cup without reply this campaign. The Candystripes return to league action with a double header of games in hand, knowing that two wins would put them top of the pile. City host Bohemians for the second time in a week on Friday, before welcoming Sligo Rovers on Monday night in two huge games in the title race.

Last time out – Bohemians 0-2 Derry City:

Prior to Friday’s game, City had won five of their previous ten in Dalymount Park, with the most recent coming via a 95^th minute Danny Mullen winner in June. Bohemians’ home form left a lot to be desired this season too – of their 17 home games in league and cup action they’ve won just five. In terms of league action, that home record is joint worst with Dundalk. Derry’s away form hasn’t been great either, grabbing six wins and seven draws from 18 away in league and cup football. This one was hard to predict going into and it was the home side who came out the stronger team for most of the first half. Bohemians’ midfielders and centre backs saw a lot of the ball in early action, frustrating Derry who kept their shape rather than breaking to press. Despite the early possession, they didn’t really threaten Brian Maher. Pat Hoban had the first chance in anger about seven minutes in when he shot straight at Kacper Chorazka following a pull-back from Michael Duffy. Some tidy work from Hoban in the box on the half hour mark saw the ball released out to Adam O’Reilly, who fizzed one narrowly over the crossbar from outside of the area. That gave the City crowd an injection of energy and saw the visitors grow into the game.

Ten minutes later and Derry had the breakthrough. Michael Duffy felt a pull by fullback Paddy Kirk, who had replaced the stricken Liam Smith just minutes earlier, and went to ground just outside the box. Much to the dismay of the home crowd, the referee awarded the free to t. he away team. City’s number seven stood over it and, in prime Duffy territory, he was always going to go for goal. Placed to absolute perfection, his whipped effort evaded everyone in the box and dipped over Chorazka before nestling in the top corner. One of the best free kicks I’ve seen and the Bohs fans in the Jodi Stand had a perfect view of it as well. It was a wonder-strike which saw Duffy go joint with Mark Farren and Liam Coyle on eight goals for Derry City against Bohemians - not bad company. The sold-out, near 500 deep Mono Stand was bouncing thanks to the Shantallow man. Despite a penalty call when Alex Greive backed into Mark Connolly in the City box late in the half, it was 1-0 to City at the break.

Five minutes after the restart and City had a massive opportunity to double their advantage. Ronan Boyce’s header fell to the feet of Pat Hoban, who knocked it back to Patrick McEleney in the centre circle. City’s captain spotted the darting run of Paul McMullan in behind the Bohs defence and played an inch-perfect ball through to him. The Scottish winger had the goal to aim at when going 1v1 with Chorazka but slid the ball narrowly past the far post. Whether it was a bobble in the pitch or just a misjudgement of the angle, it was a chance which would have surely wrapped up the game for Derry. The home side had the next best opportunity just before the hour mark. Dayle Rooney, Bohs’ best player on the night, expertly turned past Paul McMullan before jinking past Adam O’Reilly and firing narrowly wide from distance. A close call for Derry, but Maher had it covered.

71 minutes into the game and City again won the ball back through the energetic O’Reilly on the half way line. The ball made it’s way to Michael Duffy, tight to the touchline, via McMullan and McEleney. Duffy rolled back the years to power down the left flank and chop inside onto his stronger right foot, taking three Bohs defenders out of the game. Duffy’s effort from range took a bounce of the uneven Dalymount pitch just as it was about to reach Chorazka, evading the Polish keeper before heading for the top corner. That man again for City, nine goals now for Duffy who renders himself City’s highest goal-scorer against Bohemians. The away support were sent into absolute raptures as Duffy and McEleney wheeled towards Gareth McGlynn, on RTÉ punditry duties, who got himself right into the middle of the celebrations.

Bohs pushed for a goal but never really tested the City defence, who were in complete control of their box for the next 25 minutes. The away support was phenomenal, the best away end I’ve seen in years. The Jodi Stand had more than half-emptied well before full time, whilst the remaining Bohs support let the players and staff know their feelings. The City support were in full voice, and nearly had a hattrick to celebrate when Duffy fired right at Chorazka in injury time. The scenes after the whistle were brilliant, Higgins loved it. Wisdom loved it. Duffy and McEleney absolutely loved it. The passion was there to see and it was a fantastic evening to be a Derry fan, Phibsborough didn’t know what had hit it. Cancel your plans for the 10^th of November folks- we’ve a cup final to be going to.

Derry City:

Friday’s win means that Derry City haven’t conceded a non-penalty goal in the FAI Cup since Rory Gaffney’s goal in Shamrock Rovers’ 3-1 loss in the Brandywell in the 2022 quarter-final. It’s now eight goals and four clean sheets in four cup games for City this season. With Drogheda United meeting City in the final, the Candystripes will fancy their chances on that big Aviva pitch. Michael Duffy was the deserving winning of the Man of the Match award with two brilliant goals, whilst Patrick McEleney looked sharp and back to his best following an injury hit campaign. His experience and passing range in the midfield filled the void left by the injured Will Patching. Sadou Diallo and Adam O’Reilly sitting behind McEleney gave City a real balance in the centre of the park. Mark Connolly and Andre Wisdom, who had off-days against Drogheda a week prior, where both solid at the back and quelled everything Bohemians’ strikers put against them. Ronan Boyce was impressive coming back in at right back, whilst Ben Doherty looked like he hadn’t missed any time at all despite missing the last couple through injury. Paul McMullan’s pace troubled the fullbacks - he was unlucky not to score just after half time. Shane McEleney came on to make his first appearance since August, whilst Davenport, Mullen and Whelan were introduced to get the win over the line. The recent announcement of a one year contract extension for the aforementioned Danny Mullen won’t have come as bad news to the City faithful either – the striker has notched thirteen goals since joining in July 2023.  

Despite a slow start, Derry were brilliant in their control of the game after getting the first goal. Calm and precise in possession and quick going forward, the Candystripes played really well. The energy and intensity in the pressing, particularly in the second half, was pleasing after the defeat in Drogheda. There are only five games and a cup final to go, that’s six massive performances needed to win the double. It’ll be tough playing Bohs on Friday, especially after playing them just a week prior. They’ll be out for revenge and that familiarity will mean that Alan Reynolds will have his team well versed on how to prevent a repeat of the semi-final. Similarly with the Sligo Rovers game, City know that anything but two wins would be damaging to our title hopes. Ruaidhrí Higgins can take comfort in knowing that Derry’s home form is the best in the league, losing just twice in the league at home this season. Michael Duffy will be wanting to extend his goals tally against Bohs too, he’s scored thrice against the Gypsies this season and whipped an absolute cracker into the top corner in this fixture two years ago. We can only hope that that semi-final win, and the reaction of the fans and players afterwards, will give the City players that motivation to go out and get as close to maximum points as possible from the last month of the campaign.

Shamrock Rovers’ win over Shelbourne on Sunday, coupled with Shels’ defeat to St. Pat’s, means that Duff’s men have now just one win in eleven in the league. The momentum is with Rovers, who would finish on a maximum of 61 points should they win their last three games. Derry City’s max point tally should they win their last five is 65, whilst Shelbourne’s would be 63 (they’d need to beat Derry in the Brandywell to reach that, and vice versa with Derry’s possible tally). That last game of the season is vital, it’s shaping up like it’ll be a winner-takes-all fixture in the Brandywell. Three wins and two draws from our last five would leave Derry on 61 points, a figure which could be just about enough to clinch the title given our good goal difference. St. Pat’s away is looking likely to be the one that could slip us up, they’re the form team in Ireland at the moment. Three wins leading up to that game in Inchicore would see Derry sitting on 59 points, meaning that even a draw against Stephen Kenny’s men would be sufficient to take it to the final day. There are a lot of uncertainties and possibilities at this stage of the season. Anything less than staying unbeaten and winning at least three of the last five could be curtains for Derry’s title hopes. Anything more should get us over the line. Keep the faith.

Bohemians:

This Bohemians preview will be very similar to the last one, not much has changed since last week really.  Bohs sit eighth in the league, seven points behind Waterford in seventh and four points ahead of Drogheda United in ninth –with this their game in hand. They’ll hope to have guaranteed safety before facing Waterford on the second last day of the season. Alan Reynolds’ side have won just five of their seventeen home games in 2024, only two of which have come since the 1-0 victory over Drogheda United on 19^th April. Bohemians have had more joy away from Dalymount though. They’ve won five, drawn four and lost six of their fifteen away games in the league, placing them fifth in the away form table. Three of their last five fixtures are away games too.

Dayle Rooney has comfortably been Bohs’ best player in 2024, he was certainly their brightest spark on Friday. Signed from Drogheda United prior to the season starting, Rooney has scored seven and assisted thirteen in all competitions. He can operate off both wings and is a real threat going forward. The returns of Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney, from MK Dons and Motherwell respectively, are two huge coups for Alan Reynolds. Two quality midfielders, they’ve contributed to eight goals since joining during the summer window. Devoy dropped deep to pick up the ball from the defenders against Derry, almost sliding Rooney in behind a couple of times in the semi-final. James Clarke, a rumoured transfer target for Ruaidhrí Higgins in the window just passed, is another versatile midfielder, whilst Adam McDonnell and Jordan Flores have been mainstays in the Bohs team this year. Jevon Mills has impressed on loan from Hull City at centre-back and Jake Carroll is another impressive, experienced acquisition. Right back Liam Smith was brought off injured in the first half against Derry, replaced by Paddy Kirk. Cian Byrne looked comfortable on the ball at centre-back too. Carroll, winger Declan McDaid, and former Shelbourne midfielder Brian McManus were unused subs on Friday. They’re three players who could feature in the Brandywell given their fresh legs. James Akintunde, the former Derry striker who has five league goals in 2024, wasn’t in the squad to face his former club. He had a habit of coming off the bench to score in a Derry City shirt, but hasn’t netted since May.

Bohemian’s form recently has been indifferent. They’ve won four and lost four of their last ten in all competitions – the other two coming in the form of 1-1 draws against Shelbourne. Wins over Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk in the last five weeks were their first league victories since an away win in Sligo in mid-May. After that impressive 3-0 victory, they lost six and drew seven of the next fifteen league games. Bohemians have struggled for form this season and have only won one of their last ten in the Brandywell. Michael Duffy, scorer of both in the semi-final, sunk Bohs with an 85^th minute strike to take all three points in the last meeting between the two in Derry back in May. There haven’t been more than two goals scored between Derry City and Bohemians in the Brandywell since the FAI Cup quarter-final back in September 2018. This could be a tight one.

 

Sligo Rovers:

Sligo Rovers started 2024 off on the front foot, finding themselves second in the table after the first eight games. They then began to slip down the table, winning just one of their next nine to find themselves down in eighth place. Their mid season revival, beginning with a 1-0 win over St Pat’s in early May, before winning eight and drawing two of their next thirteen to creep back up the table, eventually saw them in 3^rd after 29 games. Rovers are now sixth, but their tally of 47 points means they’re just three points behind Derry City in third and seven points off top. European qualification would mark a successful campaign for Mark Russell’s men, who have already beaten all of the teams above them at least once this season. With four games to go, Russell will likely have Monday night earmarked as an opportunity to close the gap on the top, knowing that they have a game in hand on Shels and Shamrock Rovers. Sligo don’t play on Friday, unlike Derry who of course host Bohemians, and that extra few days could do them a favour. They did, however, lose 3-2 to Celtic in a friendly on Wednesday evening. Luis Palma's hattrick outdid goals from Kailin Barlow and Simon Power as Sligo led 2-1 for more than 70 minutes.

Rovers have scored 18 goals in 16 away games this term, the joint best in the division. In saying that, Derry’s 31 goals in 15 home games is also a division-high statistic. Don’t be shocked to see goals on Monday night, Sligo’s 33 goals conceded on the road is the second worst in the division – behind only Drogheda United.

On the topic of Drogheda United, they handed Sligo their heaviest defeat in decades when they put 7 past them without reply at the end of August. Drogheda were bottom of the league at the time whilst Sligo had lost just one of their previous six in the league. It was a genuinely shocking result, which no one would have seen coming. Rovers went on to lose 4-0 away to Shamrock Rovers three weeks later but have won two and drawn one of their last four.

There are two players who you’d put as Sligo players of the season. First is Ed McGinty, the 25 year old Oxford United loanee goalkeeper who has kept twelve clean sheets this term. McGinty is one of the league’s finest shot-stoppers, with lightning a quick reaction time. Next in the list is Ellis Chapman, who has scored nine and assisted three from centre midfield in the league. Signed from Cheltenham Town in the off-season, Chapman got off to life in Sligo by scoring a hattrick against Derry City in a late-January friendly. His mazy run and tidy finish in the 89^th minute in the fixture between these two at the start of July won Rovers the game. The 23 year old’s penalty on the 62^nd minute brought his side back on level terms after City took the lead through Paul McMullan. Striker Wilson Waweru has bagged seven in the league since signing from Galway United, but has been injured since September. Former Derry City winger Will Fitzgerald always seem to score against Derry, whilst Stephen Mallon, another former City winger, has made six appearances since joining from Cliftonville. The losses of Max Mata to Auckland FC and Fabrice Hartmann, whose loan from RB Leipzig was cut short so that he could join German side Hallescher, left a hole the size of eight goals and seven assists in the Sligo frontline.

Sligo Rovers have a tough run-in. They’re in the Brandywell on Monday, before hosting Bohemians then facing Galway United in a west-coast derby in the penultimate game. They welcome the league’s form team, St. Pat’s, to The Showgrounds on the final matchday. Russell will know that fourth place will be enough for Europe if Derry win the cup (and don’t manage to slip out of the top three). Three points off fourth, with a game in hand on Galway, they’re certainly going to give it a good go. Sligo have been something of a bogey team for Derry City in the past couple of years. City haven’t won against Rovers since July 2023, and it was an 84^th minute Stefan Radosavljević winner in the Showgrounds last September which all but ended City’s title hopes last year. City themselves relied on a late equaliser earlier in the season to rescue a point against Sligo back in May. Russell’s men haven’t won in Derry since July 2020, drawing four of the next seven in the Brandywell. It’s the three wins from those seven which Derry will be hoping for a repeat of on Monday night.

Round-up:

It’s as simple as this, two wins for Derry City this weekend will put them two points clear at the top of the Premier Division table with three games to go. Even a win and a draw would put City top, albeit with the added pressure of needing to win the last three to lift the league title. It’s just one league win in seven for the Candystripes but, with the momentum of a huge cup semi-final win last week, now could be the time for City’s tide to turn. Both Bohemians and Sligo Rovers will want to spoil the Derry party as they continue in their own respective battles, but Ruaidhrí Higgins knows that his men are the closest a Derry side has been to the title at this stage in 18 years. Derry City finished second in 2006, level on points with eventual winners Shelbourne who won on goal difference. Both City and Shels finished on 62 points, a points tally which could win the league this year. If it comes to goal difference in 2024, City are likely to have the upper hand. It’s five games in three weeks for Derry – five games which could see them champions for this time this millennium.

Pól O'Hare - 9th October 2024