Derry City -v- Mervue United

• Terry Flaherty
• Fri, Sep 24 2010


Derry City will be looking to bounce back to the top of the Airtricity First Division when they host a struggling Mervue Utd side that are looking to halt a run of ten straight defeats at the Brandywell tonight. (kick-off 7.45 p.m.)

With leaders, Monaghan Utd, involved in FAI Cup action this weekend, Derry will be hoping to get back to winning ways having not won in their last three outings. Their last win was at the end of August with a 1-0 win over Limerick but that has been followed by defeat to Waterford Utd (2-0) and draws with Athlone Town (2-2) and Longford Town (1-1).

It has been a torrid past three months for Mervue, who haven’t registered a point in the league since defeating Longford Town 4-3 at home in early July. It didn’t get any better last weekend as a 6-1 thrashing by Waterford Utd added to their woes. Despite conceding a goal after ninety seconds they had themselves level by the 11th minute through David Goldbey but the concession of four seconds half goals ensured another bad result for the home side.

Derry keeper Gerard Doherty returns from suspension for Stephen Kenny’s side but he also has doubts over midfielders Kevin Deery, Ruairi Harkin and Thomas McBride who all missed last week’s draw.

Tom French will choose his team from the same squad as last weekend as Mike Tierney (ankle) and Kenny Farrell (knee) remain on the sidelines. Dan Cunningham and Noel Varley won’t travel either as both are unavailable along with Tommy Walsh.

Derry seem to be stuttering at the moment having only won one of the last six games and results will certainly have to improve if they are to make a swift return to the Premier Division. Mervue on the other hand will only have one concern and that is to get enough points to ensure they finish ahead of Galway City rivals Salthill Devon, with both club’s sitting on twelve points with seven games remaining.

Extratime.ie Prediction: A 3-1 home win to keep Derry’s title challenge on track.