- Andrew Dempsey
- Thu, Feb 09 2023
DERRY CITY
FAI Cup holders Derry City welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night in the President’s Cup (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
Ruaidhri Higgins side claimed the FAI Cup in November thanks to a devastating 4-0 win over Shelbourne in the Aviva Stadium decider.
Jamie McGonigle, Cameron McJannett and Jordan McEneff all netted for the Candystripes at the Dublin 4 venue – winning their first crown since 2012.
And they have been able to add to their squad with the recent arrivals of Colm Whelan, Ben Doherty and Adam O’Reilly to the club.
However, they will have to make do without the services of Whelan for the next two months as he continues his return from a long-term knee injury picked up last season.
But while success in the President’s Cup is welcome, their eyes will be fixated on next week’s season opener against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Looking to retain their President’s Cup crown from last year, Shamrock Rovers head to Derry looking to lay down a marker ahead of the new season.
Rovers won the Premier Division last season and are now gunning for their fourth league title in a row.
But they face Derry City first before they begin their league campaign on February 18 away to Sligo Rovers.
“There’s a trophy there to be won and we’ll try and do that,” Bradley said ahead of Friday’s decider. "We’ve done that the last couple of years we’ve played in it and tomorrow will be no different.
"We’ll go up to try to win the game. It should be a good game and it’ll get us ready for Sligo in a week’s time.”
But the Hoops boss admits he is expecting a very tough test against Derry on the road.
“Derry have a good squad and they had a good season last season,” he added.
“They’ll be strong and it’s the same for several other teams, like Dundalk and St Pat’s, who will be stronger than they were last year. It has all the makings to be a tough and enjoyable season.”
But Rovers will be without a host of their key men ahead of their trip to Derry. Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn, Gary O’Neill, Sean Hoare and Sean Kavanagh are ruled out.
“We’ll probably be missing six or seven on Friday,” Bradley finished. “Sean Kavanagh, Sean Hoare, Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn and Gary O’Neill are all unavailable.
"Some of them just have knocks that we’ll be careful with and think about the bigger picture of the league campaign.”
Referee: Neil Doyle.
MATCH STATS
Derry City claimed two wins against Shamrock Rovers last season, a 2-1 win in February 2022 and an FAI Cup win in September after extra-time.
Stephen Bradley’s Hoops won both of their home games against Derry City last term – and drew once at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
PREDICTION
Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
Derry City
Injured: Colm Whelan.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Sean Kavanagh, Sean Hoare, Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn, Gary O’Neill.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
