League Preview: Derry City -v- St Patrick’s Athletic

Will Patching netted a brace for Derry City against Dundalk

Will Patching netted a brace for Derry City against Dundalk Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to seal second place when they host St Patrick’s Athletic at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Candystripes need just a point to secure second with the Saints level on points with them.

Although, Derry might benefit from St Pat’s having their eyes on an FAI Cup final on Sunday week at the Aviva Stadium. 

“They’ll come here looking to win and they have that cup final coming up too,” Ruaidhri Higgins said. 

“We want to finish on a high and claim the three points that would cement second place and send our supporters home happy.

“I have to be honest though and say that it has been hugely frustrating over the past couple of weeks that we haven’t been right in the mix for winning the title.

“We’ve left too many points behind and there have been real lessons learned that we will take with us going forward.

“Finishing second and a good European run will give us something to build on and we have to focus on that.

“If you look back you’ll see it took Rovers and Cork time to chase down Dundalk. We know what we have to do to take it to the next level and we will take those lessons with us going forward.”



Derry are also likely to be without Adam O’Reilly, Danny Mullen, Michael Duffy, Jamie McGonigle and Shane McEleney through injury alongside Colm Whelan and Ciaron Harkin,

Sadou Diallo is suspended. 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Saints boss Jon Daly wants his side to finish off the season strong when they visit Derry City.

St Pat’s can secure a second place finish with a win on Friday. 

"We're looking forward to the game and trying to finish the league season off on a high and try to get three points,” Daly said.



We're happy to have qualified for Europe through the League already and will be looking to put in a positive display in Derry.

“We've had good games against them in the league and in the cup, we've got good memories of the last time we were up at the Ryan McBride Brandywell, winning in the cup on penalties.

“Derry City are a very good team, they've got a strong squad and I'm sure they'll have a big home crowd as they'll be looking to finish their season strongly too.

“We are aware of their threats, they have very good attackers and lots of experience in defence and we know we'll need to be on our game.

“Our aim is to put in a good performance and try to build some more confidence leading into the final."

Tom Grivosti, Axel Sjoberg and Harry Brockbank are all unavailable.

 

Referee: Robert Harvey.

 

PREDICTION 

Derry City 2-0 St Patrick’s Athletic 

 

Derry City 

Injured: Colm Whelan, Ciaron Harkin, Shane McEleney. 

Doubtful:Danny Mullen, Michael Duffy, Jamie McGonigle. 

Suspended:Sadou Diallo.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic 

Injured: Harry Brockbank, Tom Grivosti, Axel Sjoberg.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

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