Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers

 

Derry City play host to Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell on Friday night in a game that is intriguing on many different levels. Both sides have found it difficult to find any consistency this season and Derry boss Declan Devine will be looking to put one over his ex mentor Stephen Kenny as he attempts to bring a dismal home record to an end.

 

 

Derry will have to plan without the services of long term injury victims Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery and Rory Patterson as well as the suspension of newly acquired striker Conor Murphy. However Mark Farren is fit again and is expected to start his first game in five weeks. The Derry supremo can see light at the end of the tunnel following a season that has been heavily disrupted with injuries to key personnel.

 

 

"Slowly but surely we are getting players back which will generate a healthy competition for places." he said."Deery, Greacen and Patterson will all come back in the next two to three weeks, we have missed those players influence and I believe we have a side that can compete with anyone in the division when we have everyone fit.

 

 

"There are still a lot of points up for grabs and we believe we can still push for a place in Europe, if we win tomorrow night we can go level with Shamrock Rovers and there can be some big games ahead in the next few weeks. We know our home form should be better but if we start making less mistakes and giving away soft goals we feel we can turn that around."

 

 

Key to Derry's hopes will be the recent return to form of Owen Morrison whose recent extended run in the side seems to have done his confidence the world of good.

 

 

 

Under pressure Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Kenny will see this fixture as a must win game for his mis-firing charges as he attempts to lift morale following Tuesday night's exit from the Champions League. Rovers fans made their frustrations quite clear after the defeat and Kenny has called on his players to make a huge effort to arrest the slump which has seen them claim only one victory in their last seven league games. "We have to try and win in the Brandywell and narrow the deficit and fight for our lives.

 

"If we win on Friday, which has to be the objective against Derry, we narrow the gap with leaders Sligo Rovers to seven points and we still have to play them twice. I can understand the supporters frustration. The fans drive the club and in the last two seasons they are used to success so I can understand that frustration. The reality is though that even results haven't gone well lately, we're still in three competitions."

 

Captain Ken Oman is determined to turn things around however and said "I know the fans are hurting, but I can tell you one thing, the team is hurting just as badly.The gaffer has been taking a lot of stick. I know the blame falls on the gaffer, but the players have to take responsibility for it as well.He’s the one who puts us out on the pitch and if we don’t do the business, then we are to blame. It’s not just him. It’s everyone. It’s a squad."

 

 

Referee: Derek Tomney

 

 

The sides have met three times this season with a win each in the Setanta Cup and a draw in the league at Tallaght.

 

Shamrock Rovers' Killian Brennan, Ken Oman and Billy Dennehy as well as manager Stephen Kenny are all ex Candystripes.

 

Derry City have won only one of their last eight home league games.

 

 

Derry City 9/4; Draw 9/4; Shamrock Rovers 23/20

 

 

Derry City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers 

 

Derry City Injury News:Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery, Rory Patterson.

Derry City Suspension News:Conor Murphy.

 

Shamrock Rovers Injury News:None

Shamrock Rovers Suspension News:None