Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
Derry City welcome league champions Shamrock Rovers to the Brandywell on Friday night hoping to close the gap on the league leaders to a solitary point in front of what is expected to be a large attendance on Foyleside.(kick off 7.35pm)
Stephen Kenny does not have his sorrows to seek however as he will be missing four of his most experienced players in what is regarded as a relatively small squad. Kevin Deerys’ calf and Barry Molloys’ ankle will keep them sidelined, whilst Eddie McCallion and Gareth McGlynn must both serve a one match suspension for amassing too many yellow cards. This could well open the door for some of the younger squad members like Thomas McBride, Ryan McBride, Stephen McLaughlin and James Henry to be given a rare start by the manager.
“The players can’t be asked to do much more at home”, Kenny said. “They’ve been winning matches 6-0, winning matches 7-0 and we beat Bohemians 3-0 which was a terrific result. So, in the games we’ve played at home, the football has been to a very high standard. We are without four key players, so this could be the youngest side ever to represent Derry City. But we’re at home, hopefully we’ll have a good crowd behind us, and we have to believe that we can beat them.”
Meanwhile Michael O’Neill will be without Karl Sheppard (ankle) and the suspended Conor McCormack. He will however welcome former Ipswich and QPR manager Jim Magilton to the dugout as his assistant until a full time replacement is appointed.
“This is obviously another big game for us” said O’Neill, “We played well on Sunday and I think you could see the teams’ confidence return after the previous week’s disappointment. It was a good result and performance by us, and we’ll be looking to repeat that against Derry. If we do that, it will be a big statement from us and that’s what we intend to do.”
Derry have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four league ties and will be confident of taking points from a side they’ve drawn twice with already this season. In James McClean and Eamon Zayed they have two of the most in form players in the league with Stuart Greacen also playing very well. Shamrock Rovers got back on track last Sunday, defeating league leaders St Pats and will also be confident of taking three points away from the Brandywell, especially with Gary Twigg looking more like his old self as the season progresses.
With Derry looking short on experience this weekend, Rovers may just have too much quality and will travel back to Tallaght with all three points.
Derry City
Injured: Kevin Deery(calf), Barry Molloy(ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gareth McGlynn, Eddie McCallion.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Karl Sheppard.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Conor McCormack.
Referee: Damien Hancock.
Paddy Power Odds: Derry City 2/1 Draw 11/5 Shamrock Rovers 13/10.
Extratime prediction: Rovers to edge it 2-1.
Stephen Kenny does not have his sorrows to seek however as he will be missing four of his most experienced players in what is regarded as a relatively small squad. Kevin Deerys’ calf and Barry Molloys’ ankle will keep them sidelined, whilst Eddie McCallion and Gareth McGlynn must both serve a one match suspension for amassing too many yellow cards. This could well open the door for some of the younger squad members like Thomas McBride, Ryan McBride, Stephen McLaughlin and James Henry to be given a rare start by the manager.
“The players can’t be asked to do much more at home”, Kenny said. “They’ve been winning matches 6-0, winning matches 7-0 and we beat Bohemians 3-0 which was a terrific result. So, in the games we’ve played at home, the football has been to a very high standard. We are without four key players, so this could be the youngest side ever to represent Derry City. But we’re at home, hopefully we’ll have a good crowd behind us, and we have to believe that we can beat them.”
Meanwhile Michael O’Neill will be without Karl Sheppard (ankle) and the suspended Conor McCormack. He will however welcome former Ipswich and QPR manager Jim Magilton to the dugout as his assistant until a full time replacement is appointed.
“This is obviously another big game for us” said O’Neill, “We played well on Sunday and I think you could see the teams’ confidence return after the previous week’s disappointment. It was a good result and performance by us, and we’ll be looking to repeat that against Derry. If we do that, it will be a big statement from us and that’s what we intend to do.”
Derry have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four league ties and will be confident of taking points from a side they’ve drawn twice with already this season. In James McClean and Eamon Zayed they have two of the most in form players in the league with Stuart Greacen also playing very well. Shamrock Rovers got back on track last Sunday, defeating league leaders St Pats and will also be confident of taking three points away from the Brandywell, especially with Gary Twigg looking more like his old self as the season progresses.
With Derry looking short on experience this weekend, Rovers may just have too much quality and will travel back to Tallaght with all three points.
Derry City
Injured: Kevin Deery(calf), Barry Molloy(ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gareth McGlynn, Eddie McCallion.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Karl Sheppard.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Conor McCormack.
Referee: Damien Hancock.
Paddy Power Odds: Derry City 2/1 Draw 11/5 Shamrock Rovers 13/10.
Extratime prediction: Rovers to edge it 2-1.
About Jamie Mahon
Jamie Mahon joined the Extratime team at the beginning of 2011. Hailing from the North West, Jamie reports on all things Derry City. He can be contacted at theearcher@hotmail.com or on Twitter @JamieMahon23. View Full Profile