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

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

In a clash of the last two FAI Cup winners, St Patrick’s Athletic welcome current holders Derry City to Richmond Park on the opening night of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

A sold out Inchicore awaits what should be the pick of the opening weekend fixtures with both sides looking to close the gap on four-in-a-row chasing Shamrock Rovers this season.

Although it didn’t feel like it given there was no silverware for the Saints last term, they picked up more league points last season than they did in 2021 as Tim Clancy’s men finished fourth, ultimately qualifying for Europe after Derry beat Shelbourne 4-0 in the FAI Cup final in November.

The Athletic have bolstered their squad with the signing of Tommy Lonergan from UCD. The attacker returns to the club after playing a starring role in the second half of last season as the Students completed a remarkable survival mission.

The Premier Division has expanded its net with a host of Scandinavian and Baltic based players coming and Clancy has been no different, bringing in Estonian international Vladislav Kreida on loan from Flora.

Dutch defender Noah Lewis has joined as have Jay McGrath and Conor Carty on loan deals from Coventry and Wolves respectively. But it’s the signing of Jake Mulraney who is home from his excursions in the MLS which will provide the most excitement for the Saints this season.

Manager Clancy is set to embark on his second season at Richmond Park after a very successful spell at Drogheda United where he kept the Boynesiders in the Premier Division in 2021.

"It's a great first game for us and we're looking forward to it. Our first two matches this season will be at home so we're hoping to make that advantage count and start well in front of our home fans,” Clancy said, speaking to the club's website.

“Facing Derry City will be a huge test for us, they are one of the best teams in the country and had a very good year last year.

“We went up to watch their President's Cup game against Shamrock Rovers last Friday so it was good to get to see the live in a competitive game. They are going to be strong this season as are we.

“The stadium is sold out which is brilliant, all of the squad, especially the new lads are really looking forward to the game.

“We've had a good pre-season and we are very happy with the squad, we have a great group with some excellent players so we'll be aiming to begin the campaign on a positive note on Friday."

Midfielder Jamie Lennon is entering his sixth full season at the club and is not the longest serving player having made his league debut in 2018 aged 19. Since then he has made 136 appearances and is ready to take on a senior role in the squad.

"We're ready to go. It's been a long couple of months across the off season as it always is in the League of ireland but we are all excited now that the season is about the start.

We've kept a good core of last years squad and added some real quality too, the standard in training and in our pre-season games has been really really good and we'll be looking to carry that into the Derry game and into the season then.

We didn't play as well as we wanted to in the games against Derry last season so we know we'll have to be right at it on Friday night and I think we will be.

We've prepared well, we're raring to go and hopefully we can hit the ground running and get the crowd behind us early doors on Friday night."

In team news, Harry Brockbank suffered a calf injury in the Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Wexford and misses out while Adam Murphy will also be absent with a knock.

DERRY CITY

Derry City earned silverware at the Aviva last November courtesy of a 4-0 drubbing of Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final.

The main goal for the Candystripes will be to topple the dominance of Shamrock Rovers and win their first Premier Division title since 1997.

Ruaidhri Higgins side confirmed the signing of 20-year-old winger Ollie O’Neill on loan from Premier League outfit Fulham on a loan deal until the summer ahead of Friday’s league opener and he will go straight into the squad.

“He’s been eager to get out and get some first team football and Fulham have kindly let him come to us, which we’re very grateful for,” Higgins said, speaking to the club’s website.

“He’s very, very talented and what was very pleasing was he had done his research and knew a lot about us.”

“He was a major influence in the move- he wanted to come here and wants to be a part of things here.”

Derry have recruited well ahead of the season with a couple of marquee signings including Colm Whelan from UCD and former Saint Adam O’Reilly from Preston North End.

City’s signings have been quality rather than quantity with a strong squad boasting several Premier Division titles including local heroes Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan looking to go the extra mile to stop Shamrock Rovers quest for four-in-a-row.

Home form will be key for Derry who actually have a strong record away to the Dublin clubs.

Frustratingly Higgins’ charges dropped points on home soil (or astro turf) to the likes of Shelbourne twice, Sligo Rovers, Bohemians, Finn Harps and Drogheda.

REFEREE: Rob Harvey

MATCH STATS:

This is the fourth time St Pat's have faced Derry in the opening game of the league season.
Ruaidhri Higgins men had the upper hand last season, winning three of the four meetings, the other was a draw.

Former Saint Brian Maher could also line out in goal for Derry.

PREDICTION:

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Derry City

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Harry Brockbank, Adam Murphy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Colm Whelan

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.