Drogheda United -v- Derry City

DROGHEDA UNITED

It has been a week of up and downs for Drogheda United. The Boynesiders were on the wrong end of a 7-1 Setanta Cup final loss on Saturday, but bounced back on Tuesday night to beat Limerick FC 1-0 in Thomond.

That Tuesday night win not only moved them up to fifth, but with Michael Schlingermann deputising for the rested Gabriel Sava, Drogheda kept their first clean sheet of the league campaign. Mick Cooke has only one injury worry and that’s to full back Stephen Quigley. The former Shels defender picked up a knock against Limerick and had to be withdrawn, he will be assessed ahead of the game.

Mick Cooke was happy with his team’s performance down in Thomond and despite some good results in the past against Derry the Drogheda boss isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I think Tuesday night was the perfect response to Saturday, the manner in which we played gave us a lot of positives. We were the better team on the night and we got the three points which was the most important goal.

“Friday night is going to be tough, we’ve played each other three times already this season so there is a level of familiarity between the squads. Derry will be coming to Drogheda looking to get one over on us. Declan has done a good job at the Brandywell and it's no surprise that they are in the top three. We’ve had a few good results over Derry in our last meetings, but we won’t take any game for granted,” he added.  

DERRY CITY

Derry City may currently lie in third, but after back-to-back defeats the Candystripes are in danger of slipping back into the peloton.

Declan Devine’s side travel to Drogheda, licking their wounds from a shock 4-2 defeat to UCD at the Brandywell. Derry’s main problem has been an in-ability to field a cohesive side due to injury and suspensions and this will not change on Friday night. Dermot McCaffery is suspended having been dismissed against UCD. Thomas Crawley, Ruaidhri Higgins and Paddy Kavanagh are all out through injury.

Speaking ahead of the game, Declan Devine is well aware of the threat posed by the Boynesiders, “I was in Limerick on Tuesday evening to see Drogheda and I thought they were very good indeed, Obviously after their loss to Shamrock Rovers in the Setanta Sports Cup final Mick Cooke made a lot of changes to their side and they seemed to work as they played very well.

“As far as recent records are concerned they go out the window as soon as the take to the pitch and we will as always prepare to try and win what we have no doubt will be a very physical battle on Friday evening,” he added.

Derry will travel with the SWAI player of the month for April in Barry McNamee, the 21-year-old pipped his team-mate Ger Doherty to the accolade. McNamee was also rewarded with a call up to International duty by Noel King for the Republic of Ireland’s U-21 side.

Referee: Alan Kelly.

MATCH STATS

This is the fourth meeting of the sides, Drogheda have won one with the other two games ending in 1-1 draws.

Derry have picked up exactly the same amount of points on the road as they have at home, 13 each.

BETTING

Drogheda United 15/8, Draw 11/5, Derry City 11/8.

PREDICTION

With Drogheda’s win on Tuesday and Derry’s dip I expect the Boynesiders to take the points in a 2-1 win.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen Quigley.
Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Thomas Crawley, Ruaidhri Higgins, Paddy Kavanagh.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Dermot McCafferty.