League Preview: Derry City -v- St Patrick's Athletic

Derry City

The Candystripes sit third in the Premier Division, one point below their visitors to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium tonight. However, the Foylesiders hold a one game advantage over the Athletic following the postponement of Monday’s clash with UCD.

Ruaidhri Higgins’ men have remained unbeaten in the league so far this season with three wins- over Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Finn Harps respectively- adding to draws against Dundalk and Sligo Rovers.

While it’s still early in the season, their close season recruitment has proven to be successful so far with Republic of Ireland Under 21 goalkeeper racking up three clean sheets in a row and has yet to concede since Dylan Watts’ netted a free kick for Shamrock Rovers on matchday three.

Jamie McGonigle has started the season in fine goalscoring form, netting four times so far, while Brandon Kavanagh has also settled well into the season- recording his first assist of the campaign when setting up McGonigle’s first goal against Drogheda United last weekend- a game in which Derry saw Michael Duffy suffered a fracture to his tibia, while influential midfielder Ciaron Harkin is sidelined due to a knee injury.

Speaking to his club media, Higgins looked forward to tonight’s encounter, 

“St Pats have great quality in their squad, especially in attack. They have really good options up front, but then again so have we. Friday nights at the Brandywell bring a special atmosphere and I’m hoping we can recreate that this week because it really gives the boys a lift.”

“We’ve had various injury concerns right from the start of the season but we’ve navigated a way around them.”

“People focus a lot of attention on our new signings and rightly so, but the players who have been available have been excellent.”

“I’m very happy with the squad of players we have here and the attitude in our preparation has been absolutely spot on”.

St Patrick’s Athletic

The Saints currently occupy top spot in the Premier Division with a 2-1 reverse to Sligo Rovers the only blot on an otherwise perfect opening to the season.

Spearheaded by the attacking threat of the deadly Doyle duo- off season recruits Mark and Eoin having a brace of league goals each so far- the Inchicore outfit have scored nine goals in their opening five games while at the other end West Ham loanee Joseph Anang is on a three game clean sheet run with the Sligo Rovers defeat the only game in which he has conceded.

Winger Darragh Burns has a goal and two assists to his name and has been called up, along with goalkeeper David Odumosu, by Jim Crawford for an Under 20 fixture against the Irish Amateur side on Tuesday 22nd March.

Speaking to his club’s media this week, Head Coach Tim Clancy said,

"It's just about maintaining it now and trying to get a bit of momentum.

We have a very difficult game on Friday night up in Derry so it is one that we are going into it with a little bit of confidence, but we know it's going to be extremely difficult.

They've had a brilliant start. Ruaidhri Higgins has continued on from last season. When he went in, I think they were bottom of the league and then they ended up finishing in a European spot, so I think it shows the turnaround that Higgs made up there.

They have had a very good start this season as well. They have an excellent squad so I have no doubt that at the end of the season, they will be there, there-abouts but for Friday, we are going to prepare and go up and try and win the game.”

Referee: Damien McGraith

MATCH STATS

Of the four league encounters between the sides last season, St Patrick’s Athletic won two, Derry City one and there was one draw.

The sides faced each other a decade ago in the FAI Cup Final with the Candystripes winning 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium, their squad contained Ruaidhri Higgins, Michael Duffy, Shane and Patrick McEleney while Ian Bermingham and Chris Forrester were with the Saints- all six are currently with the same teams as in 2012.

Both sides have kept three clean sheets in their last three games- last season each club also recorded three consecutive shutouts during the league however with a different keeper between the sticks. Nathan Gartside, currently second choice at City and Vitezslav Jaros- on loan at Notts County this season- the two custodians in 2021.

PREDICTION

Derry City  1 1 St Patrick’s Athletic

Derry City

Injured: Michael Duffy, Ciaron Harkin

Doubtful: Joe Thompson, Patrick McEleney, Matty Smith

Suspended: None

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Jamie Lennon

Doubtful: Ian Bermingham, Paddy Barrett

Suspended: None