League Preview: Derry City -v- Bohemians

DERRY CITY

Derry City’s mid-season managerial change seems to have paid off. The sacking of Roddy Collins in mid-May was partly due to the side only scoring eight goals in twelve games and Derry were still without an away win. Although Peter Hutton’s reign began with three defeats in the first four games, the side has been totally transformed since. In the eight games that he’s been in charge, Hutton’s side have scored twenty-one goals and are undefeated in their last three away matches, including last week’s win over UCD.

Last Sunday’s game showed the progress the Candystripes have made. Rory Patterson has become a rejuvenated man up front and he scored twice in the 6-1 win to bring his total of goals to seven goals, six of which have come under Hutton. But Michael Duffy was the star man, putting away a hat-trick. He too has become more efficient under the new manager, scoring six of his eight goals so far this season in the past eight games.

Peter Hutton expects that Bohemians won’t be as easy to overcome, declaring that his team “have to be ready for what I would class as our toughest test so far.” Hutton also noted that both sides had undergone changes, saying “The game between the two sides earlier in the season will have no reflection on Friday night's game. The two sides that take to the pitch on Friday evening will be completely different sides, both have changed vastly in terms of attitude and performance and have both been in very good form.”

The Derry manager also admitted that Bohs “are technically and physically a different type of team now as are we and we know we must deal with that challenge,” and he then added “but if we play as we have been since I took over we should be able to give our home supporters the performance they enjoy seeing and of course three vital points." 

Derry City will welcome new signing Shaun Kelly into the squad as well as Cliff Byrne, who has returned from suspension. Free-scoring striker Patterson, Nathan Boyle and Josh Treacy all miss out with injuries.

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians must feel that a weight has been lifted off their shoulders after securing their first home win of the season last week against Cork City. The win was an example of the recent form of Owen Heary’s side and capped off a five game unbeaten streak.

Hard fought points against a resurgent Athlone Town and title challengers St Patrick’s Athletic have been complimented with wins over Limerick and Bray. These recent results have pushed Bohs seven points away from the bottom three and relegation worry.

With all that has happened in the Irish transfer window in the last few days, Heary was delighted to have kept two key players that starred in the win over Cork City. Eoin Wearen has become a late goal getter in recent games, scoring in each of the last three matches, two of which came in the last ten minutes. Heary said of Wearen, “When you're keeping someone like Dave Mulcahy out of the team, you know you're doing something right." 

Kevin Devaney has also signed a professional contract with the club and Heary was pleased to keep him, saying, "Kevin's improved a lot as a player and there was interest in him over the window."

Owen Heary also thought that both teams facing each other at the Brandywell were totally different to the sides that played out a 1-1 draw in early May. Heary said, "Derry are a much-changed team since the side we played in Dalymount. We should have won that game but Peter came in shortly afterwards and has changed everything around.” Heary has great respect for Hutton, saying, "I know him well from his time at Shelbourne and from coaching courses. I knew he'd go in and do well and they're on a high now.”

Heary is still confident that his team could get a result though, as he said, "But our confidence is high too. That's the thing about young players; they don't lack confidence, especially after a run of good results.”

For once, Heary has a fully fit squad to pick from. Steven Beattie has recovered from banging his head when scoring the opening goal of Bohemians 2-0 win over Cork. Anthony Murphy has also returned after a shoulder injury. The only question for Heary is what effect the looming EA Sports semi-final against Shamrock Rovers this Monday will have on his squad.

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH FACTS

Last season Derry seemed to hold a curse over Bohemians, beating them  4-0 and 2-1 in the league and winning 2-0 in the EA Sports Cup, before Bohs came back to beat them for once, 2-0 at Dalymount.

Ryan McEvoy scored both of Bohs goals in that game and is there main goalscorer against Derry in the past two seasons. Patrick McEleney has been Derry’s main threat against Bohemians, scoring twice against them last season and again in the 1-1 draw earlier this season.

BETTING

Derry City Evens; Draw 23/10; Bohemians 13/5.

PREDICTION

It will be close, and either side could nick it with a goal, but I’m going for Derry City 1-2 Bohemians.

Derry City

Injured: Joshua Treacy, Nathan Boyle, Rory Patterson
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Bohemians

Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None