League Preview: Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes have the potential to go top of the table on Bank Holiday Monday in front of the live RTÉ TV cameras (kick off 7.15pm).

They will need to beat Shamrock Rovers in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium which they have done three times in the last four matches played between the two teams and need Bohs lose to Cork City earlier in the day.

Both Derry and Rovers have won their last two league matches with Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side defeating St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 at home last Friday with a 3-1 victory on their travels to Cork City prior to that.

The City squad is still slightly depleted with Higgins noting to his club’s media team that “things are definitely getting better in terms of injuries but we've come this far so we will do what's right for the players.

"There's a long way between now and November so there's no point rushing. I understand it's an important game but they're all important games.

"Our attitude will be the same on Monday night as it always is. We don't look to sit in or hold on, we go in trying to win and pick up three more points.”

Higgins will most likely stick with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation which he has used for 91% of time in matches this season.

Friday’s win against the Saints came thanks to two second half goals - a penalty scored by Ben Doherty in the 71st minute, with Colm Whelan scoring a header off a corner eight minutes later - his second goal in two games on his return from lengthy injury.

It was another clean sheet for the Candystripes who have the most miserly defence in the league coughing up only eight goals – however, they are coming up against the league’s top scorers on Monday with Rovers racking up 24 goals from their dozen league games so far this season.

When the teams last met at the Brandywell, it was season curtain raiser President’s Cup which City won 2-0 thanks to goals from Will Patching and Michael Duffy.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

When the Candystripes beat Rovers 2-1 in Tallaght Stadium in March this year, they were the first team to beat the Hoops at home in league action for 648 days.

That defeat contributed to Rovers’ slow start to the season, but the Hoops have been unbeaten since then and have won five of their last six games. Another victory on Monday will move Rovers above City and into second place in the table behind Bohs (who they face in Tallaght next Friday night).

Stephen Bradley’s side were made work hard for their 2-1 victory over Sligo Rovers last Friday night as the Hoops Head Coach acknowledged when he spoke with extratime.com pitchside in Tallaght after the game.

“They are a good side,” said Bradley about John Russell’s team. “They are the best side that we have played. We felt that after the first round of games and we felt that again tonight. We had to show different qualities.

“Everyone knows we can play and dominate games but sometimes you have to dig in and work and show that togetherness. They've shown grit and determination and we got the win.”

Bradley gave an injury update on his squad saying “Simon (Power) and Rory (Gaffney) will be available but Liam (Burt) we are waiting on. For Sean Kavanagh and Sean Gannon, it is a bit early for them and Dylan (Watts) will another two or three weeks.”

Having made his season debut the game prior to Sligo, club captain Ronan Finn was absent on Friday but Bradley said that was just a precaution.

“Ronan should be fine. He got a knock in a similar area from where he was injured in pre-season. He felt fine but we didn't want to take that chance as the last thing you want to do is play him and he is out for four weeks.”

It meant Bradley named 16-year-old Naj Razi on the bench against Sligo Rovers. “We've wanted to give him a feel of it. You can come and watch games but when you are involved in the dressingroom and are at pitch level you can see the tempo of the game and what you are going to face.

“It is really important for a young player to see that as early as possible. Naj is a player we rate really highly here. I've no doubt you will see him on the pitch in the coming weeks and months.”

Referee: Rob Harvey

MATCH STATS

Graham Burke is Rovers’ top goalscorer with six goals – two behind the league’s top marksman Max Mata. Jordan McEneff is the top scorer for the Candystripes with four goals.

The Hoops travel north to take on Derry City seeking their first away win against the Candystripes since the 4-2 league victory when they came from 2-0 down in July 2021.

Rovers have the highest average passes per game than any other team in the league with 454 – 60 clear of second place Sligo Rovers. However, the Bit O’ Red outpassed the Hoops in last Friday’s game – the first time an opponent has done that to Shamrock Rovers this season.

With a third of the season gone, the Hoops attacks have come 37% off the right flank (compared with 32% off the left). For the Candystripes, it is the opposite with 35% off the left and 29% off the right.

PREDICTION

1-1

Derry City

Injured: Mark Connolly, Cameron Dummigan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Gannon, Sean Kavanagh, Dylan Watts

Doubtful: Liam Burt

Suspended: None

Hoops Head Coach hails Johnny Kenny https://t.co/lcIxSdjkl9pic.twitter.com/JCykVLSV1d

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 30, 2023