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

Shamrock Rovers FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 26, Tallaght Stadium, Sunday 3^rd August 2025, kick-off 7pm

Coming out of their two games in hand over Shamrock Rovers with just one point, Derry City now travel to the league leaders on Sunday. Eight points behind the Hoops, last week’s draw with Bohemians allowed Rovers to get one hand on the Premier Division trophy – it’s now up to Tiernan Lynch’s Derry side to keep pressure on the top and ensure a finish in the European places.

Derry City:

In a match which made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Derry City and Bohemians played out an entertaining 1-1 draw last Friday night. Whilst enjoyable to watch, a point apiece did more for Shamrock Rovers than for either City or Bohs, who sit eight and seven points behind the Tallaght side at the summit.

The home side tested keeper Kacper Chorazka twice within the first fifteen minutes when Dipo Akinyemi, on his home debut for Derry City, rifled two strikes directly at the Bohs shot-stopper within two minutes of each other. In an attritional first half, James Clarke came closest for the visitors when he side footed a Ross Tierney lay-off at Brian Maher on the 45^th minute.

Five minutes were added at the end of the first half after a flare landed on the pitch (flung from outside the ground) earlier in the half. It was a stoppage which worked in the favour of the home side, who opened the scoring in the fifth minute of additional time. After some neat work from Michael Duffy down the left flank, the winger laid the ball off to debutant left back Brandon Fleming. The former Hull City man floated a ball into the box, which was nodded past Chorazka to open the scoring and give Dipo Akinyemi his first for the club.

That lead didn’t last long into the second half. Just six and a half minutes after the restart, Ross Tierney had smartly lifted a James Clarke header over Brian Maher and into the roof of the net. It was a fine finish from the former Motherwell man, and it made the second half a more interesting battle.

Derry City were the side applying most of the pressure throughout the second period. Substitute Robbie Benson came closest to finding the winner on the 80^th minute when he diverted a Michael Duffy cross just inches past the far post. Three minutes later, Danny Mullen stung the palms of Chorazka with a fierce effort as City turned the screw. It wasn’t to be for either side in the end, who both seemed disappointed to settle for a point each.

As 1-1 draws go, Friday’s encounter was a high-intensity, enjoyable watch. With both sides knowing that they needed to win to keep serious pressure on Shamrock Rovers, they had decent chances throughout. As Gavin Whyte was absent from the squad, Tiernan Lynch handed Brandon Fleming his debut at left back and started Michael Duffy in attacking midfield. Fleming had a brilliant first appearance for the club. He was solid defending against Dayle Rooney and was eager to surge forward down the left flank. For a player who hasn’t played since May, he lasted the full ninety minutes and attacked throughout the second half, linking well with Michael Duffy and showing some good footwork in the box.

Dipo Akinyemi and Alex Bannon both impressed in their first Brandywell appearances too. Akinyemi was a handful and a physical presence up front, showing some decent footwork and prowess in the air. His goal was deserved, and it was refreshing to see him have a few pops from distance. Bannon looked comfortable on the ball and read the game well too, slotting in for Hayden Cann who has impressed at the right side of centre back this season. Adding centre back Jamie Stott from Morecambe, who played 45 times in League Two last season, the recruitment this window looks to be successful already.

Ben Doherty returned to the bench for the first time following his injury in Dalymount in June. Gavin Whyte didn’t make the matchday squad but, despite Cameron Dummigan’s long term lay-off, Tiernan Lynch doesn’t have anymore concerns going into the Rovers game. With another couple of signings mooted, and despite the departure of stalwart Ciaron Harkin to Sligo Rovers, Derry City have a strong squad going into the business end of the season. Teenager Glenn McCourt also left for Norwich City for an undisclosed fee.

The big pitch in Tallaght Stadium is the best in the League of Ireland. It suits technical players who like to keep the ball on the ground and create things. In that sense, it’ll suit the likes of Michael Duffy, Liam Boyce and Gavin Whyte. It also suits Shamrock Rovers, which is why they’re so dominant at home. With some of the best technical players in Ireland on display, this encounter should broadcast the best that domestic football in Ireland has to offer. With a draw between the two last time out in Tallaght, a defeat for City will eliminate them from the title race – if that eight point gap isn’t already too much. Victory will reignite hope in the City faithful and cut the gap to five points.

Shamrock Rovers:

Despite ending 2024 emptyhanded in terms of silverware, Shamrock Rovers came just two points away from winning a fifth league title in a row and pocketed more than €7m by reaching the knockout rounds of the UEFA Conference League. If Harry Wood had scored in the 85^th minute for Shelbourne in the Brandywell on the final day, Rovers would have completed a fifth consecutive title win. With eleven games to go in the 2025 season, the Tallaght side would need to have a catastrophic end to the campaign to blow their seven point lead and fail to reclaim the Premier Division title.

Shamrock Rovers have a tendency to start the league campaign sluggishly, before picking up the pace when some of the early challengers begin to fall off. It wasn’t until fifteen games had been played before Shamrock Rovers had knocked Drogheda United off the top of the table. In fact, Rovers were rock bottom with just one point from the opening three games at the start of the campaign.

Stephen Bradley’s men went top in early May, level on points with Derry City in second after fifteen games. Almost three months later, the Hoops haven’t slipped from their perch. The gap to second is now seven points and they’re eight clear of Derry in third. Rovers have lost just once in the league since April, winning nine of the fourteen league games since their second last loss. The Hoops have lost just four league games in 2025, three of which have come against rivals Bohemians. Sligo Rovers are the only other team to have taken all three points in a match against the Tallaght side this year.

Bumped into the second round of UEFA Conference League qualifying following Drogheda United’s removal, Rovers had the luxury of bypassing a home and away tie in Europe in mid-July. Hammering St. Joseph’s of Gibraltar 4-0 over two legs, a side who lost to Shelbourne in 2024 but beat Belfast’s Cliftonville in extra-time in the first round this year, Rovers would be fancied to go deep into the qualifying rounds and aim to reach the league phase for the second time in three years. With the experience the squad has in Europe, it’d be a shock if they dropped out before the play-off round. Their 4-0 first leg victory against St Joseph’s allowed them to rotate heavily, maintaining a fit squad for Sunday’s clash.

Shamrock Rovers aren’t strapped when it comes to quality either. Stephen Bradley has built a reliable core since taking over as manager in 2016. In the last couple of years, he has added younger talent to blend with the experience already present in the squad. A defence with the likes of Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes and Dan Cleary has seen Joshua Honohan and Adam Matthews added. Honohan has since been called up to an Ireland senior squad and Matthews is a former Celtic fullback who started in that famous win against Barcelona in 2012. Callum Honohan, the 19 year old brother of Joshua, is a recent signing after acquiring him from Cork City.

The pedigree in the centre of the park speaks for itself. Last year’s PFAI Player of the Year Dylan Watts has been restricted to just sixteen league starts in 2025 following the arrival of Ireland U21 international Matthew Healy from Belgian side Royal Francs Borains. Four capped Ireland midfielder Jack Byrne has contributed to nine goals in 21 games in the league. When fit, everyone knows he can flip a game on its head. Sligo Rovers playmaker Conor Malley has also been added on loan until November. Daniel Mandriou turned down the likes of Romanian side FCSB to rejoin Rovers from Lincoln City last summer, but has made just twelve appearances in 2025. Aaron McEneff scored a late winner off the bench in the Brandywell in the previous meeting between these two, while the likes of Darragh Nugent and Gary O’Neill add legs and grit to the midfield. Graham Burke, with seven goals and five assists from attacking midfield, has once again proven that he’s one of the league’s finest midfielders.

Forwards Rory Gaffney, Aaron Greene and Michael Noonan each have bagged six goals in league action in 2025. Gaffney and Greene are both 35, while Noonan is just 16. The summer signing of 22 year old John McGovern, who bagged 20 goals in all competitions for Dungannon Swifts as they lifted the Irish Cup in 2024/25, has added yet more quality and youth to the strike force in Tallaght. With three goals in recent friendly wins over Glenavon and Ballymena United under the belt, he’s a player who may lead the line for Rovers for years to come.

While I’m on the topic of young talent, 16 year old winger Victor Ozhianvuna is tipped for a move to Arsenal when he turns 18 in 2027. It’s been reported that the fella will eclipse the €1.9m base fee that Spurs paid St Pat’s for Mason Melia to break the League of Ireland record. He’s a tricky winger who bagged his first goal for the club in their 4-0 win over Wexford in the FAI Cup second round. Should Rovers sell him to Arsenal and get him back on loan until he can be registered in the UK when he turns 18, they’ll have a proper player on their hands.

Shamrock Rovers will see victory on Sunday as a result which would likely all but wrap up a fifth title in six seasons. With a healthy lead in the title race, Rovers have a large enough squad to balance league, cup and European football while competing on all fronts. Without winning the FAI Cup since 2019 though, Rovers will be desperate to complete the domestic double and pick up a trophy which has been elusive for six years.

Round-up:

With eleven games to go, and eight points clear, Shamrock Rovers will win the Premier Division in 2025 if they don’t suffer a complete collapse between now and November. Such a collapse is something which Derry City are praying for though. The Candystripes don’t have a great recent record in making up ground when a team above them slips up, but a win on Sunday will be crucial if Tiernan Lynch’s side are to mount any sort of a title charge in the final third of the season.

Derry City haven’t beaten Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght since March 2023, and that was their only win in the last fifteen games away to the Hoops. The second most recent win came in August 2017, when Barry McNamee scored from the halfway line. Of the last ten meetings between the two, City have won just once, with Rovers winning five and the other four being draws.

With such a record against Shamrock Rovers, you wouldn’t fancy City’s chances on Sunday. Rovers have played in Europe on Thursday though, alerting Derry to a possible European hangover from their opponent’s double header against St Joseph’s. With City’s title hopes looking slimmer with each passing game, victory here is the only thing that can keep us fighting…

Pól O’Hare – 31^st July 2025

Derry City v Bohemians: Match Preview (July 2025)

Derry City FC v Bohemian FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 25, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 25^th July 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Derry City returned to winning ways and progressed to the third round of the FAI Cup following a second-half demolition of Treaty United last Friday. It’s a return to league action for the Candystripes this week, as they face second placed Bohemians in a tie which could prove crucial in determining the top three come November. It’s one of the biggest games of the season for City and comes nine days before Tiernan Lynch’s side travel to leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Derry City:

With the recent four game winning streak put to an abrupt end via a 2-0 defeat in Sligo two weeks ago, there were a few nerves going into the FAI Cup tie away to Treaty United. Derry were coming up against a young and energetic side, fighting in the upper reaches of the First Division, who were desperate to cause an upset. Those who remember 2011’s 4-1 FAI Cup defeat to Wexford Youths, then bottom of the First Division, may have feared for a potential banana slip of similar proportions.

I have to say, when the Treaty game was 0-0 going into half time, I feared for a tricky second period. With the introduction of Liam Boyce on the 56^th minute, those nerves were extinguished. City did dominate the majority of the first half but failed to really trouble Corey Chambers, while the home side tested Brian Maher just before the break.

Less than three minutes after coming off the bench, City’s NI international striker Boyce rose highest in the box to divert a Michael Duffy corner over the keeper and into the net. It was a goal which eased the nerves and allowed the away side to open the floodgates.

Michael Duffy had completed a trio of assists by the 74^th minute, as two more corners saw Alex Bannon net on his first start and Liam Boyce net his second of the evening. The cream of Derry’s quality began to rise to the top as they dominated from set pieces. Patrick McEleney would have been a happy man watching that.

Lee Devitt bagged his fifteenth of the season to pull a goal back for the hosts, whose comeback hopes were quickly eliminated via a third Liam Boyce goal from the penalty spot on the 85^th minute. That’s a second hattrick in three games for the former Hearts striker, who had to wait for four years before breaking his trio duct three weeks ago. Three goals in twenty minutes to bring his goal tally for the year to eleven – not bad at all.

Boyce was involved in City’s fifth and final goal on the 87^th minute, when the visitors executed a swift passing move to wrap up the win. The 34 year old fed the ball through to Adam Frizzell, who laid it on a plate for Danny Mullen to calmly slot past Chambers. A first goal involvement for new signing Frizzell and a seventh in 2025 for Mullen to seal a perfect second half performance from Lynch’s men. It’s now Drogheda United at home in the third round for City, a repeat which sees a repeat of last year’s final.

The Treaty United game went exactly to plan for City, or at least the second half did. New signings Dipo Akinyemi and Alex Bannon were handed first starts – Akinyemi showing his physical presence up front and Bannon highlighting his calmness with the ball at his feet as well as popping up with a goal. They seem to be two astute signings, especially given the recent sales of Kevin Holt to Ayr United and Pat Hoban to Glentoran. Adam Frizzell will also be satisfied to get his first goal involvement for City with his assist for the fifth goal and added that extra bit of quality off the bench.

Michael Duffy and Liam Boyce did Michael Duffy and Liam Boyce things. Three assists for Duffy and three goals for Boyce, taking their goals and assists tally to eighteen and twelve respectively. They’re two quality players and are performing when it really matters. After a frustrating night in Sligo two weeks ago, Lynch and the City faithful alike will be happy to get another win and another five goals under the belt ahead of one the season’s biggest games.

The signing of Brandon Fleming from Hull City will prove key depth on the left side of the pitch – he’s naturally a left back and has experience playing in every league from the Championship to the National League. At 25 and on a contract until the end of next season, he looks to be a shrewd acquisition. Fellow defender Conor Barr, who impressed in Joe Gormley’s testimonial against Cliftonville two weeks ago, has subsequently joined the Reds on loan following an impressive spell at Ballymena United last season.

Ben Doherty and Cameron Dummigan are City’s only two players out injured ahead of Friday’s game. Dummigan hasn’t played in almost a year after a tough spell with injuries, while Ben Doherty has suffered foot and hamstring problems which have limited him to just nine appearances in 2025. Adam O’Reilly started alongside Sadou Diallo in the centre of the park, his first start since the 1-1 draw with Galway United on June 13^th, seeing Carl Winchester drop to the bench. Arlo Doherty wasn’t used, as a substitute keeper may expect in cup competition, while Sean Patton and Ciaron Harkin were also left on the bench. Patton spent last week on trial at Reading FC in England, after trialling at Portsmouth last year.

With one win and one loss in this year’s two previous meetings with Bohemians, Derry City will be desperate to pick up all three points given the stakes in this meeting. It’s both teams’ final game in hand on leaders Shamrock Rovers, who have an eight point gap to Bohs in second. A point behind the Phibsborough side, defeat for City would likely mark curtains for their title hopes. Victory, especially ahead of next week’s visit to Tallaght, could reignite a race for top spot. With the transfer window closing for non-free agents on Monday, we’re officially in ‘business end’ territory.

Bohemians:

Just six weeks out from their last meeting, Bohemians play Derry City in the Brandywell for the final time in 2025. Their season to date has been a roller coaster, summed up by the fact that they’ve drawn just two of their previous 25 games. They went from calling for manager Alan Reynolds’ head before hitting form and finding themselves fighting in a title race.

Bohemians have seen a striker with £15m in transfer fees come and go in the past six months, alongside making millions in kit collaborations with Fontaines DC and Oasis. To think the League of Ireland has come so far that the actual Oasis, not even the juice, are dropping kits with Bohemians... As marketing goes, Daniel Lambert has overseen a masterclass in Phibsborough.

Lys Mousset was a signing who would either have been the best striker the division’s seen or a complete flop. When you come into Bohemians as a former £15m Premier League striker, and you’re still not even 30, you don’t have much room for error. Bagging just once, Pyscho Killer Lys Mousset is no more. That doesn’t mean that the squad isn’t stacked with quality though.

The signing of Douglas James-Taylor from Walsall is a real coup for Alan Reynolds. He had a stellar campaign on loan at Drogheda United last year but has failed to get going this year due to recurring injuries. Despite that, he’s a strong and mobile centre forward who has proven himself at this level. Scoring the winner against Derry City in last year’s FAI Cup final, the City faithful know all too well his threat. DJT opened his Bohs account with a fine finish to open the scoring at home to Galway United two weeks ago.

With four goals and four assists, winger Dayle Rooney has been Bohemians’ man main in 2025. Recently tied down to a new contract, he’s one of the most effective wide men in the League of Ireland. Another player who has come into his own this year is James Clarke. A target of Ruaidhrí Higgins whilst at Derry City, Clarke scored and assisted in a recent 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers and was the subject of interest from Grimsby Town. He netted twice to put Galway United to the sword in the aforementioned 3-0 win on the 11^th too.

Clarke’s midfield counterparts Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy have really come into their own. With a touch of quality that can change a game, both players demonstrate why they earned moves to Motherwell and MK Dons before returning to Dublin. With eleven goal contributions between them in the league, and capable of operating across the midfield, they’re two players who would start in most midfields in the league.

With Adam McDonnell or Niall Morahan partnering Devoy in the deeper midfield role, Bohs have a balanced spine to their team. Jordan Flores, naturally a holding mid, has deputised at left-back and was one of the best players on the pitch when Bohemians beat Derry 1-0 in Dalymount in June. With Liam Smith and John Mountney as options at right back, as well as the experienced Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley at centre back, Bohs’ experienced back line has seen them hold the best defensive record in the league this season. The returning Cian Byrne, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Galway United, will only add to that.

Bohemians began their FAI Cup journey in ruthless fashion, beating Leinster Senior League side Killester Donnycarney 7-0 to progress to the Third Round. Former Derry City striker Colm Whelan bagged four goals and got two assists with an immense performance, while 18 year old Markuss Strods scored twice in his first start for the club. 19 year old Rhys Brennan also scored and assisted, adding to his stoppage time winner away to Shamrock Rovers earlier in the season. Unbeaten in five, scoring thirteen and conceding just once in that time, Bohs are in fine form.

Round-up:

Both pushing for European spots, Bohemians and Derry will view this as one of the most important games of their respective seasons. With both sides closely fighting in the upper reaches of the Premier Division, Bohemians will be on the hunt for their first win on Foyleside since April 2023. Coming from the summer period into the business end of the campaign, this won’t be one to miss.

Derry City and Bohemians will be confident after high-scoring wins in their FAI Cup openers last week, scoring five and seven respectively. With both sides beating each other 1-0 in the two previous meetings this year, it’s hard to know which way this game will go. Derry have played their best football at home this season and are third in the table for home form. In contrast, Bohs are third in the table for away form – picking up sixteen points but losing six times on their travels.

One thing’s for sure on Friday night, the football will be attacking and the players on show will be some of the best in the division. A draw would keep Shamrock Rovers’ buffer at the top at a healthy seven points. A win for Bohs would close it to five points and all but eliminate City from the title race, while victory for Derry would close the gap to six points and see them leapfrog Bohs back into second. This is a massive game going into the run in.

Pól O’Hare – 22^nd July 2025

Treaty United v Derry City: Match Preview (July 2025)

Treaty United FC v Derry City FC, FAI Cup Second Round, Markets Field, Friday 18^th July 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Following Saturday’s sobering 2-0 loss away to Sligo Rovers, Derry City now regroup and turn to cup action. Limerick’s Treaty United welcome the Candystripes as both sides kick off their FAI Cup campaigns for 2025, whilst looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat. Derry City will also be the only side Treaty United have met twice in FAI Cup action, with the previous outing being 2022’s semi-final.

Derry City:

As the City faithful descended on Sligo last Saturday, with temperatures touching the 30C mark, it seemed like we had a proper day of summer football ahead. The away end in the Showgrounds was packed with red and white but, in the baking heat, City failed to make it five wins in a row. Crucially, it marked defeat in one of two games in hand on Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table.

It was all Sligo Rovers for most of the early exchanges, as the home side piled the pressure on the Derry goal and blocked their visitors from making many forays out of their own half. The energy of Ryan O’Kane and Owen Elding on either wing troubled City’s defence, which was without Kevin Holt – adding fuel to the fire of his rumoured departure.

It only took eighteen and a half minutes for the home side to find the opener, which came through Derry native and former player Patrick McClean. The defender found space at the back post to volley a Jake Doyle-Hayes corner past Brian Maher. City now on the back foot with more than 70 minutes left to play.

Within three minutes, the visitors came painfully close to equalising when Hayden Cann’s header from a corner was cleared off the line. Derry failed to threaten again in the first half and were punished on the stroke of the break. Jad Hakiki played the ball to winger Ryan O’Kane after surging forward. O’Kane’s cross wasn’t dealt with by Brian Maher, who got a hand to the ball but was left stranded in the middle of the box. Wilson Waweru, linked with a callup to the Kenyan national team, was on hand to put his side 2-0 up.

Two behind at the break and having struggled in the first half, it looked like City had a mountain to climb to get anything out of the game. An early goal in the second half would’ve been crucial, and did almost come after just two minutes when Sam Sargeant expertly denied Michael Duffy. Another brilliant save from Sergeant late in the half denied Hayden Cann once again, but Derry failed to create anything of meaning. Sligo Rovers, who found space in behind and should’ve been three of four up if it weren’t for the linesman’s flag or poor finishing, were deserving of their win. A tough one to take for the travelling Candystripes.

Derry City’s loss on Saturday meant that they had wasted a chance to cut the gap to the top with one of their two precious games in hand. With Bohemians dispatching Galway United on Friday, City returned to second place and stayed there following Derry’s defeat. The clash between second and third next week, both teams’ final game in hand, will be crucial in determining any slither of a title charge.

Saturday’s defeat was City’s fifth loss on the road in 2025, something which they’ll be desperate not to repeat in Limerick on Friday. Despite the loss, and with all due respect to Treaty United, City really should be winning and progressing to the next round.

The omission of Kevin Holt on the left side of defence proved costly for City, who lost an experienced head in the backline but saw Shane Ferguson handed a start on his 34^th birthday. Rovers’ first goal showed that City were missing that bit of physicality in the box and were duly punished. Brian Maher’s error for the second was unfortunate but came at a crucial juncture in the game. If City went in to the break just 1-0 down, we may have come away with something.

Alex Bannon had his first taste of competitive Irish football after coming off the bench and looked comfortable on the ball and passing forward, although Lynch will likely be on the lookout for a left-sided centre back should Holt’s rumoured departure be true. Sam Todd is more suited to the left fullback position, and gave City an attacking outlet there. Gavin Whyte was replaced by Adam O’Reilly at half-time and the Corkman’s energy in the centre of the park gave City something different. He tried to run in-behind a few times but was let down by the service into him.

Derry City missed a bit of that doggedness required to get points down in Sligo. The type of fast football seen in the 7-2 win over Waterford can’t be played there given Rovers’ defensive and pressing setup – something which City found out the hard way. Saturday also showed that City are missing a midfielder with a bit of magic in the centre of the park. Someone like Patrick McEleney or Will Patching, who could pull off a defensive-splitting pass or effort from distance to change a game just isn’t present in City's current midfield arsenal. It’s yet to be seen if Adam Frizzell can be that man, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tiernan Lynch recruit a midfielder, winger or defender before the window’s up.

All focus for the Candystripes must now turn to cup action, as they seek revenge for last season’s final loss by going one step further this year. It's a first visit to Limerick for the Candystripes since October 2018.

Treaty United:

Founded in 2020, Treaty United have played just nine FAI Cup ties in their existence. When they host Derry City on Friday, the Candystripes will be the first team whom they’ve faced twice in the Cup in the club’s history.

Limerick’s League of Ireland representative, Treaty were formed from the ashes of Limerick FC. Founded in 1937, Limerick FC was dissolved in 2020 after racking up almost €500,000 in debt. With two league titles, two FAI Cups and three League Cup crowns across their 83 year history, the club of Ireland’s fourth largest city left a hole in the footballing landscape when it was wound up.

Treaty United, originally called Limerick United before being forced to change, were granted their first First Division licence in 2020 before entering in 2021. With just four full seasons under their belt, United have made a good showing for themselves. The club’s most impressive achievement was reaching the semi-finals of the FAI Cup in 2022, their previous meeting against Derry City, where they lost 2-1. They finished in the Promotion playoff spots in their first two seasons, before placing 6^th and 7^th in 2023 and 2024.

Treaty United’s first FAI Cup appearance in 2021 offered one of the toughest draws possible – the cup holders Dundalk. They took the Lilywhites to extra-time, before current Derry City set-piece coach and Ballymena United midfielder Patrick McEleney scored the winner. They built on that in 2022, hammering Usher Celtic 5-0, before beating Maynooth University Town 3-0 to reach the quarterfinal stage. In the last eight of the competition, they impressively dispatched Premier Division opposition by defeating UCD 4-1. Derry City welcomed Treaty to the Brandywell in the semis and, despite being 2-0 down after 16 minutes, the Limerick side netted a penalty before the half hour mark to bring themselves back into the tie. It wasn’t to be that year, but the fight shown by the team and noise of the Treaty fans certainly won the club a few admirers in Derry.

A 2-0 loss to Cork City in the FAI Cup first round in 2023 ended any similar dreams that year, but with wins over Kilbarrack United and Pike Rovers in 2024, Treaty made the quarter-finals again. It was a repeat of their previous quarter-final performance, but not in the way they would’ve hoped. Wexford United made short work of the Limerickmen, beating them 4-1.

Currently fourth in the First Division, the Treaty faithful will hope for a strong second half to the campaign. With just ten points separating fourth and eighth, and Dundalk and Cobh Ramblers battling it out for the title, the next few months promise an entertaining finale to Ireland’s second tier. Promotion to the Premier Division just half a decade after being founded would make a great return for the Limerick side.

Tommy Barrett has been Treaty United’s only manager. He was Limerick’s manager when they folded and immediately took the hotseat in the phoenix club. Barrett’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation has his side firing, scoring 36 goals and conceding 23 in 23 league games. Those 36 scored are the same as league leaders Dundalk and the second most in the league, whilst the 21 conceded makes their defence the third tightest in the division. There’s one man in particular who is United’s standout marksman, Lee Devitt.

The 25 year old former Cobh Ramblers man has netted 14 goals from midfield, a remarkable stat which means he has scored more than any Premier Division player and sits behind only Barry Coffey (15) in terms of goals scored in the First Division. Former Finn Harps winger Karl O’Sullivan’s four assists makes him another key asset going forward. Former UCD and Shelbourne forward Yoyo Mahdy, once hot property in the League of Ireland, chipped in with four goals and three assists this year too, but has recently left the club.

Treaty United have a young team who will be willing to run their socks off and pounce on mistakes. The experienced heads in the dressing room will therefore be tasked with leading their team through their biggest game of the season. 33 year old Lee J Lynch was a league and cup winner with Sligo Rovers in 2012 and 2013, as well as picking up a First Division winner’s medal with Limerick in 2016 and NIFL Championship triumph under City gaffer Tiernan Lynch at Larne in 2018-19. He’s certainly a man who’s been in these situations before.

18 year old goalkeeper Michael Dike recently made the move from Treaty to Brighton & Hove Albion, joining the Seagulls’ under-21s side after impressing towards the backend of last year in the First Division. Other youngsters impressing at United, who aspire to follow in the footsteps of their former teammate, are 19 and 20 year old defenders Robbie Lynch and Richkov Boevi. They’ve both seen regular gametime this year. 21 year old Canadian forward Joe Hanson is a Vancouver Whitecaps academy graduate and joins the Canadian contingent of Connor Wilson and Corey Chambers in Limerick. Trpimir Vrljicak, Valeriy Doya and Vojtech Ptacek all have experienced playing elsewhere in Europe. Before his departure, Yoyo Mahdy spent a year at one of Africa’s oldest football clubs, Egyptian second-tier side Olympic Alexandria, after leaving Finn Harps in 2022.

There is always that aspect of curiosity when facing a club we’re not used to seeing in regular league action. Treaty United impressed the Brandywell faithful with a large travelling support too. In just four years, they’ve reached the quarterfinals twice and semi-finals of this competition, so aren’t to be frowned upon.

Treaty United’s young team will be gunning for an upset, especially at home, but they haven’t faced a Premier Division side competitively since Cork City in the first round of the FAI Cup in 2023. Their last, and only, win against a topflight side came against UCD in the quarters three years ago. Despite being underdogs this time around, Treaty United will hope to make trips to Derry a more regular occurrence with promotion to the Premier Division in the future. Whilst they’d love a cup run, I’d say Treaty wouldn’t be devastated if defeat on Friday meant turning full focus to their promotion push.

Round-up:

After suffering defeat in Sligo last week, Tiernan Lynch’s side will be desperate to start their FAI Cup journey with a win. City have shown good form in the cup in the past few years, grinding out results and blowing the likes of St. Pat’s, Shelbourne and Bohemians away last year. The doggedness which was lacking in Sligo will certainly need to be present in Limerick.

Treaty United are hopeful of finishing the season in the promotion spots but, as has been seen in the past, will back themselves against Premier Division opponents in the cup. With the talismanic Lee Devitt spurring them on, they won’t back down for Derry City in the slightest. Treaty v Derry is a tie we’ve seen just once previously, but shouldn’t disappoint given the stakes on the line.
Pól O'Hare - 13th July 2025

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