League Preview: Derry City -v- Dundalk

DERRY CITY

As Kenny Shiels pointed out after Friday night’s victory over Shamrock Rovers, the Candystripes haven’t been subject to much media attention in recent weeks as Rovers, Dundalk and Cork City dominated the headlines.

And while the league champions and cup holders have legitimated their title favourites tag with unblemished starts, Derry have continued their fantastic form into 2017 which has seen them lose just one of their last 19 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division matches.

That is title-winning form, but Derry haven’t been classed as such, mainly due to the loss of several key players in the off season, with Conor McCormack and Niclas Vemmelund two of last year’s crop to have departed for Cork and Dundalk respectively.

However, it looked more like the Ulster side who spent big in the winter during their 1-0 win two nights ago, their second consecutive win at Tallaght Stadium.

Ryan McBride’s first goal of the season, and his first since an FAI Cup tie with Cork in September 2015, was enough for the Derry to continue their recent good record against the Hoops and propel themselves into third place.

And the Derry captain’s manager spoke glowingly about him and his relationship with fellow central defender Aaron Barry, admitting that they were integral to Derry’s second win of the season.

“(Ryan) wears his heart on his sleeve, but you can’t take anything away from Aaron Barry either, I thought he was superb and helped Ryan very well,” Shiels told reporters on Friday night.

Derry haven’t beaten under Shiels and their task has been made even harder with the absences of Conor McDermott, Ben Doherty and leading marksman Rory Patterson.

Ronan Curtis and Aaron McEneff, both of whom sustained head injuries on Friday night, and the suspended Lukas Schubert are also out of the Maginn Park clash.

“It’s going to be a tough game, we’re going to be very understrength against a very good team but we must approach it with confidence. We believe in ourselves,” said Shiels.

The Derry manager also had interesting views on Niclas Vemmelund but particularly Foyleside natives Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy, all of whom have started the season brightly for the Lilywhites.

“I look at those three and you just can’t blame them [for leaving]. We just couldn’t afford them. It’s like going shopping for a certain car, we just can’t compete with [Dundalk].

“But we can compete on the pitch and show them that ours is a product they are missing.

“I’m sure they’re missing playing for their local team. It must be difficult facing their local team. I’m sure that they’d love to be playing for Derry City, if everything was equal.”

DUNDALK

Dundalk renew acquaintances with Derry tomorrow night seeking to extend their 14-match unbeaten streak against the Candystripes, while also visiting Maginn Park for the first time.

For the Lilywhites, though, a trip to Derry is always a daunting prospect despite the Louth outfit not losing an away game on Foyleside since October 2012, and Kenny classes tomorrow night’s opponents as genuine title challengers.

“Derry are a good team and realistic title contenders so we’ll have to be at our best on Monday. We’ll have to put in a big performance,” the Dundalk manager told the assembled media in the aftermath of Friday night’s 1-0 victory over Limerick.

“They have had an exceptional start, beating Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers away. Their youth policy for the last number of years has definitively been the best.”

That youth policy, something which Kenny himself was integral in implementing, has produced two of Dundalk’s star names, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy.

Friday’s win over the Super Blues was inspired by Derry native and former Foyleside fan favourite McEleney, whose 30-yard wonder strike separated the sides at full-time, and

Kenny, the man who handed the attacker his senior debut when managing the Candystipes, offered a glowing tribute of his prized asset.

“It was just a brilliant goal from Patrick to win it.

“He’s just a joy to watch. People should come to see him because it’s great to see a player that good. It was a moment of real genius, a goal worthy of winning any match.

“Anyone who paid in witnessed a special moment and it will live long in the memory. Poetry in motion. It’s a thing of great beauty when he’s playing to his full potential.”

While Derry find themselves suffering an injury crisis at present, Dundalk are starting to welcome several first teamers back into contention with Chris Shields making his return to action against Limerick, Dane Massey fit enough for the bench and Séan Hoare nearing his return.

Gary Rogers is also back in contention, although Stephen O’Donnell and Shane Grimes are certainly out with respective quad and hamstring issue while David McMillan doubtful having seen a specialist on Friday about his ongoing knee injury.

Providing the lights stay on, Derry will certainly be Dundalk’s sternest league opponent thus far.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

The recently departed, former Dundalk number 10, Ronan Finn settled the last meeting of the side’s in October’s FAI Cup semi-final replay as Dundalk qualified for the showpiece with a 2-1 comeback win.

Niclas Vemmelund, Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney (all of Dundalk) are the only players to be facing their former club’s tomorrow night.

This will be the second meeting of Derry and Dundalk since Saturday, following the clash of the clubs at under-19 level yesterday. The Candystripes won 5-3.

MATCH BETTING

Derry City 16/5; Draw 13/5; Dundalk 8/11

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 – 1 Dundalk

Derry City

Injured: Rory Patterson, Conor McDermott, Aaron McEneff, Ronan Curtis.

Doubtful: Ben Doherty.

Suspended: Lukas Schubert.

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell, Sean Hoare, Shane Grimes, David McMillan.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.