- Macdara Ferris
- Sat, Feb 18 2023
Macdara Ferris reports from Richmond Park
Rather than view the kick-off for the new season from the press box, I enjoyed my Friday night stood amongst the Saints supporters on the Camac Side of Richmond Park.
The match literally had the sold out signs up outside the ground. ‘PATS x DERRY IS A COMPLETE SELL OUT’ read the notice. Although they did have the line saying that a ‘very small number of Season Tickets still available’ so they could squeeze a few more into the ground for the right price.
Walking up Emmet Road, it was a return of the sights, sounds and smells of a typical League of Ireland night. The smell of salt and vinegar from those spilling out of the takeaways and the pubs – particularly McDowells - packed with supporters with those outside trying not to spill their pints.
Derry City fans had travelled in large numbers to see their team on opening night of their league campaign and the chat is can the FAI Cup holders and runners up go one better this season and win the league.
For home fans the queue to enter the stadium snaked down the lane beside the ground but it moved quickly as fans greeted one another with a “happy new season.”
Inside, I purchased the match programme which had a screaming Serge Atakayi on the cover. It was worth the €5 for the hardcopy edition, with plenty of content and both squads listed with their squad numbers making the identity of new signings easy for me – handy with Pats starting with three new players in their team.
I watched the game from the far side of the ground on the Camac Terrace that by kick-off was packed to capacity. 4,789 would fill the stadium on the night.
Beside me a grandfather perched his four-year-old grandkid on the barrier while on my right another Dad was chatting with his teenage daughter about the Saints new signings. There was discussion as to where the big man – Noah Lewis – had played before and the response of Feyenoord drew a whistle of interest.
Flares lit up the Richmond Park venue from both the home and away supporters when the teams came out ahead of kick-off. The Shed End Invincibles display below their large tifo flags noted that – in the week of St. Valentine’s Day - ‘And the love kickstarts again’.
When the game got going, Adam O’Reilly wearing the mustard colour of the Derry City away kit was ‘welcomed’ back to Inchicore. The booing and the odd chant in his direction was in recognition of his move to City after Tim Clancy called O’Reilly’s requested financial demands to stay at St. Pats “ridiculous”.
The visitors took the lead just after the half an hour mark through Jordan McEneff and it looked like that would be the winner. However, late pressure from Tim Clancy’s side was rewarded when Saints skipper Joe Redmond snatched a share of spoils heading home a minute from time.
The result means the Saints are without a victory (four defeats and two draws) against Derry City since July 2021.
While fans of the Athletic were the happier at the full time whistle as their team at least ensured they didn’t start the new season with a loss, you had to think that it was Shamrock Rovers supporters watching on who were happiest to see Derry City drop two points on opening night.
Football is back.
