League Preview: Derry City -v- Dundalk

 

Derry picked up three very valuable league points at the Foyleside venue last Friday night, defeating a resolute Wexford Youths side 1-0, with Nathan Boyle’s 18th minute goal being the difference between the teams.

 

That victory has propelled Derry’s cushion over fourth place Shamrock Rovers to two-points as the Candystripes continue to defy their early season odds and challenge for a place in the European ranks next year.

 

Kenny Shiels’ men have lost only three games throughout the season, and they took a deserved point away from Oriel Park in early April as a consequence of Barry McNamee’s second half equaliser. The Derrymen also had star performer, Conor McCormack dismissed in that game, which was of course against his home town club.

 

The form of Rory Patterson has been pivotal to the success of Shiels’ first year at the helm. Following a turbulent few years for the Ulstermen, Shiels made the acquisition of Patterson, a guaranteed goalscorer, one of his top priorities and that has proved to be a very shrewd move by the former Kilmarnock manager.

 

Patterson is joint-second in the League of Ireland Premier Division scoring charts, with seven goals and he, along with Boyle, are proving to be a handful to face for opposition defences.

 

Ahead of the visit of Dundalk, Kenny Shiels has been speaking to derrycityfc.net:

“It is up to us to provide the ambiance of the game, and the support reciprocates and now we get an energy that the home side needs. I don’t think the supporters understand how significant they can be to our progress. That can give you an extra yard. If we can get the support that we got against Shamrock Rovers, it helps gives us a chance of winning the game. We have to provide it and then the supporters can get behind us to give that positive energy over the pitch.”

 

Dundalk FC also extended their lead over their nearest challenger following last weekend’s round of fixtures. With Cork City only drawing in Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers, goals from Ciaran Kilduff and Ronan Finn put the champions into a three-point lead at the summit of the league table.

 

The pair scored within eight minutes of each other in the final quarter of last Friday’s 2-0 victory over a lethargic St. Patrick’s Athletic at Oriel Park. The result and performance perfectly summed up the narrative of the Lilywhites season. Instead of blowing away teams like they have tended to do in the Stephen Kenny era, they are now just doing enough in many games, with efficiency levels remaining as high as ever though.

 

The performance of former Derry City fan favourite Patrick McEleney was the main highlight from their victory last weekend. His technical supremacy was there to be seen, and having played a central role in the lead up to Kilduff’s opening goal, the midfielder left the pitch at the Carrick Road venue to a warm round of applause from the Dundalk following.

 

McEleney appears to be forming a relationship with Ronan Finn which seems to be almost telepathic at times. The pair are arguably the most complete players in Ireland’s domestic game in terms of technical ability, and should Dundalk desire to compete across all competitions for the remainder of the season, their input will be crucial.

 

Ahead of his side’s visit to his former club, Stephen Kenny was in a positive mood but insisted that his team will have to up their performance in order to get the three points on Friday night.

 

Kenny told dundalkfc.com: “Chris Shields is suspended and Dane Massey faces a late fitness test but the rest of the squad are good to go. I was very pleased with our performance last week against St. Patrick’s Athletic. We played really well and we got a good result. It was a good way to bounce back after the defeat before the break and we are ready to go again.

 

“Derry City have done fantastically well this season. They have performed well themselves and are in third place on merit. They deserve huge respect and have shown their quality. We must step up our performance again to get a result at the Brandywell which is our intention. We want to go there, improve our performance and get the win.”

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

 

 

There has only been one scoreless draw between the sides in the last 17 years and that came at the Brandywell in July 2011.

 

Dundalk haven’t had an away goalless draw in the league since the March 2012 match against Drogheda United – 71 trips ago.

 

Dundalk have one former Derry City player in their squad – new signing Patrick McEleney. Derry playmaker Keith Ward is a former Lilywhite, while midfielder Conor McCormack is a Dundalk native.

 

Stephen Kenny had a hugely successful time in two spells at the Brandywell, finishing runners-up in the Premier Division twice, winning the FAI Cup and claiming four EA Sports Cups.

 

 

Derry City 7/2; Draw 23/10; Dundalk FC 5/6.

 

 

Derry City 1-2 Dundalk FC.

 

 

Injured: Gareth McGlynn, Shaun Patton.

Doubtful: Lukas Schubert, Harry Monaghan.

Suspended: None.

 

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Dane Massey.

Suspended: Chris Shields.