League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Derry City

Jack Byrne points the way ahead of Michael Duffy in Rovers' 2-0 win in Derry in May

Jack Byrne points the way ahead of Michael Duffy in Rovers' 2-0 win in Derry in May Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS

When the teams last met a win for Derry City would have sent them top of the table. As it happened the Hoops won 2-0 in Derry in May and this time around should City get a win it would still leave the Candystripes trailing the league leaders.

Victory for the Hoops in Monday’s 8pm kick-off would move them seven points clear of Derry on a night when the four teams playing in Europe this season go head to head - St. Pat’s, who are third five points behind Rovers, head to Oriel Park.

The Hoops will feel they dropped two points on Friday after the 2-2 draw in the Dublin Derby at Dalymount Park since they were two goals to the good mid-way through the second half only to concede two in six minutes. It prevented them from winning three in a row this season against Bohs.

“We were obviously disappointed,” said Stephen Bradley speaking to the Rovers media team ahead of Monday’s game. “We just came away from what we were doing really well for a few minutes, both in and out of possession, and it obviously cost us.

“We're usually very, very good in those scenarios, if you look at our history, when we're ahead we usually win games and we didn't on Friday. We're disappointed but it's a point, it's better than nothing and we move on.

“Any game can turn like that, but we're experienced enough and we've played in enough big games to know how to manage those situations, and we just didn't do that on Friday, which again is unlike us, but it happened. We've got to learn from that as a group and make sure it doesn't happen again.

“We were so comfortable at that stage of the game and if anything, it looked like we were going to go on and add to the two goals that we got. We came away from what we were doing for six or seven minutes and it costed us the game.”

The game had been lit up by two brilliant second half Hoops goals, with Neil Farrugia scoring his second header in Dalymount Park this season before a Markus Poom screamer from distance. But they needed Leon Pohls to pull off a number of fine saves to stay in the game.

“Leon came in as second choice keeper to Alan (Mannus in Derry in May) and has worked very hard behind the scenes. When we put him in, we've seen him mature and progress every year that he's been here. We felt he was ready and I think he's shown that.”



With both team having one a win each from the two league games so far this season, Bradley said that there was “very little” between the teams in those matches.

“I think in general we were very good in both games. I don't think people speak about our performance in Tallaght (a 2-1 defeat for Rovers), it wasn't off in any way but the scoreline says differently. We were very good in both games, and we'll look to bring that again to the table on Monday night.”

DERRY CITY

When the Candystripes last played in Tallaght Stadium back in March, they were the first team to beat the Hoops at home in league action for 648 days.

A similar result against Rovers this time around would bring them to within a point of the Hoops.



Ruaidhri Higgins' side come into Monday’s match on the back of a 2-0 home win over Cork City thanks to goals in injury time in both halfs. Jamie McGonigle gave the Candystripes at half time lead and Tiernan McGinty wrapped up the win with a goal in the 92nd minute.

"We've played better several times this season and not won and in the first game back after the break it's a brilliant result for us," said Ruaidhri Higgins speaking to his club’s media team.

The Hoops have a mini-crisis of their own on Monday but City have been dealing with issues on the injury front all season and are still sitting second in the table.

"We were without Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy, but we've been dealing with these things all season.

"Jamie McGonigle was banging the door down in training all week and that's why he started (against Cork City). Tiernan McGinty was in all week too and he looked really sharp. We had no hesitation putting him in and I'm absolutely delighted for him that he got his goal.

"He deserves to enjoy the moment, but I did mention to him that it isn't just as easy as that! I don't expect to have any changes to the squad for Monday, but it won't stop us from having a go."

Rovers ran out 2-0 winners when the teams last played – a Monday night match at the beginning of May in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

"That was as poor a performance as we've put in during my time here, but over the past 12 months we've more than held our own against them" he added.

"We know how good a side they are, but we've shown we know how to win against them and that's what we'll be trying to do on Monday night."

New signing from Dundee Paul McMullan is not eligible for Monday night’s game.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Seven goals is the top scoring mark for Rovers with Rory Gaffney and Graham Burke both on that tally. Jordan McEneff, with six, has most for the Candystripes.

The Hoops have the highest percentage possession in the league, with 57.4% on average, just ahead of City (56.7%).

Rovers top the shots table with 345 and again City are second to the Hoops with 272.

PREDICTION

2-1 home win

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Alan Mannus, Trevor Clarke, Gary O’Neill, Ronan Finn

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Derry City

Injured:  Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy

Doubtful: Mark Connolly

Suspended: None

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile