League Preview: Derry City -v- Cork City

DERRY CITY

A much changed Derry City squad will be looking for a flying start to their home league campaign as they face a Cork City team fresh from holding the champions to a draw in last week, at the Brandywell on Sunday afternoon (ko 3.15 pm).

It is a very different looking Candystripes panel than the one that finished fourth last year and they have lost the services of some key personnel such as Stewart Greacen, Simon Madden, Paddy Kavanagh, Kevin Deery, Ruaidhri Higgins and Michael Rafter amongst others. However, new manager Roddy Collins has brought in ten new faces with plenty of experience to replace the losses. In particular, the signings of Cliff Byrne, Danny Ventre, Mark Stewart, Aaron Barry and John Paul McGovern will bring plenty of optimism to the clubs faithful fans.

The Foylesiders kicked off the season with a very hard fought draw against Shamrock Rovers in a game they could easily have won given the Dubliners reliance on an equaliser four minutes into injury time. Collins has also seemingly tweaked the sides expansive style of play in an effort to tighten up at the back, an area where Derry were found wanting last season.

Collins also sprung a surprise last week when electing to start last seasons league leading scorer Rory Patterson on the bench, instead opting for the inexperienced Enda Curran up front. However, given that Derry will be looking to attack more at the Brandywell, expect Patterson to be restored to the starting eleven and he will be particularly dangerous as he tries to show his manager that he should start every week.

Patrick McEleney, who also started from the bench last time out, should also regain his starting place possibly at the expense of his brother Shane who has been moved into midfield this year.

Speaking to the Derry Journal, the manager said "We'll take time to settle and see what develops. I think we'll find out very quickly what Corks aspirations will be. We have players that can change it if we need to which is important but as we are at home we will attempt to control the game and it's a match we hope to win. We're well prepared for the challenge that Cork will present to us and we're confident in our ability but we've got to do the business on the pitch".

CORK CITY

Cork City will travel to the Brandywell on Sunday in buoyant form following a superb opening day performance in drawing with last years champions St Patricks Athletic in front of a bumper crowd at Turners Cross.

New manager John Caulfield has also had a busy few months bringing in plenty of quality players such as Anthony Elding, Michael Rafter (from Derry City), Billy Dennehy and Darren Murphy and its clear after last week that thing seem to be gelling very quickly for the Leesiders.

Like Derry, Cork were among the leagues high scoring teams last year but also conceded a high number. If Caulfield can remedy this then it could be a very fruitful year. The Brandywell has been a pretty happy hunting ground for Cork in recent seasons with Derry only managing two victories out of the last eleven meetings.

Caulfield spoke to corkcity.ie and said, "It’s been a great start to the season, with two very good performances and now we go to one of the toughest venues in the league. Monday night (against Limerick), to me, was nearly better, because sometimes after the hype and the huge crowd, you could have a slump in the performance, and it was a fantastic performance.”

“The fact that the game has gone to Sunday gives us two extra days to prepare. Against Rovers they (Derry) were very direct, very physical and they had all the attributes that a good League of Ireland teams needs. It’s a huge challenge for us. If, at the end of the 90 minutes, you came away with a draw, it might be a good result, it might not. There’s no talk of going up, sitting back and playing for a draw; we don’t do that. If you go up and sit back, you’re inviting pressure and something is going to give. They’re going to come out and have a right go at us, but we’re not going to be negative, we are very positive and we feel we can go and get a result.”

Cork will be looking to Gearoid Morrissey and Colin Healy to lead the way as they attempt to continue their good run at the Brandywell.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

MATCH STATS

Rory Patterson netted goals in all three league games between the two sides last year.

Cork have scored in all but one of their last twelve appearances at the Brandywell.

Both sides start the season with new managers in Roddy Collins and John Caulfield.

BETTING

Derry City 11/10  Draw 21/10  Cork City 5/2

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 vs Cork City 1. Derry to edge it in their first home game.

Derry City:

Injured: None. 
Suspended: None.

Cork City:

Injured: Danny Morrissey, Michael Rafter, Anthony Elding.
Suspended: John Dunleavy.