League Preview: Derry City -v- Limerick FC

Derry City will entertain Limerick in their opening home game of the season at Maginn Park this coming Friday in what is an early top of the table clash. (kick-off 7.45 pm).

DERRY CITY

Derry City got off to the best possible start last Friday as they came away from Dalymount Park with all three points. An early goal from the penalty spot from Aaron McEneff set Derry on their way after 14 minutes. A brace from Nathan Boyle and a goal from Lukas Schubert moments after coming on meant Bohemians were well beat on the night.

However, they come up against a Limerick team who have only lost once in the league since 2015 and with Derry knowing all too well about the Munster side after they beat the Candystripes in the EA Sports semi-final last season in stunning fashion at the Brandywell.

This will the Foylersiders first league game at Maginn Park and it will be interesting to see if Kenny Shiels and his relatively young side can adapt playing away from their original home, which is undergoing redevelopment of the entire of 2017.

Speaking to the club’s official website Shiels discussed the good calibre of players Limerick have this season: “They had a player (Tommy Robson) who played in the English Premier League last season, a striker from Brazil (Rodrigo Tosi) who is scoring goals for fun and a French defensive midfield player (Bastien Hery), who sits and accords the style of play.

“They have Shane Duggan and Lee-J Lynch, but I don’t want to talk too much about them but these are quality players and they have got the winning habit.”

Shiels will be without Ben Doherty and Rory Patterson for three weeks but confirmed Aaron Barry, Mikhail Kennedy, and Alon Netzer are all well on their way to recovery.

“Rory and Ben are out for three weeks, two massive blows for us; Aaron Barry is coming back, I don’t know how soon, Friday could be too early; Alon (Netzer) is getting sharper each week; Harry Monaghan is getting fitter and Mikhail, who was out with a hamstring problem, trained on Thursday, which was good.”

LIMERICK FC

Limerick started life back in the Premier Division with an empathic 5-1 victory over Sligo Rovers in Markets Field last week and will aim to continue this form as they travel to Derry City on Friday night.  

Rodrigo Tosi put on a Brazilian Exhibition as he bagged a debut hat-trick and he may prove to be a valuable asset to Limerick this year if he can provide significant performances like that on a regular basis. Goals from Lee Lynch and Ian Turner also helped Limerick achieve their biggest ever win in the top flight of Irish football.

They come up against a Derry side this Friday night, who also played very well last season and got a valuable three points on the road last week, but Limerick will look to ruffle the Candystripes feathers and spoil the home supports the first home game at temporary ground Maginn Park.

If they can win the midfield battle like they did last weekend, and get the ball to Tosi on the counter attack then Limerick could well spoil the party to celebrate Derry’s first home game at Maginn Park on Friday evening.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Limerick won the last meeting between the two sides when they last met in the League Cup in August, recording a 1-0 win.

Derry City recorded a 6-0 victory over Limerick in the Premier Division in October 2013.

Limerick last beat Derry City away in the League in October 2014.

BETTING

Derry City 13/10; Draw 23/10; Limerick FC 21/10.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1-1 Limerick FC

Derry City:

Injured: Rory Patterson; Ben Doherty

Doubtful: Alon Nezter; Harry Monaghan; Aaron Barry; Mikhail Kennedy

Suspended: None

Limerick FC:

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None