Longford Town -v- Derry City

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Thu, Sep 16 2010


Derry City travel to Flancare Park on Friday night hoping to reclaim top spot in the First Division table (kick-off 8pm).

A few weeks ago the Candystripes had an 11 point lead and looked to be on course for title success but a recent slump in results has seen nearest challengers Monaghan United close that gap. On Monday night Mons went top of the table with a 2-0 win over Athlone Town.

With just seven games remaining it is all to play for and Derry’s form has to improve; they can’t afford to drop many more points.

Last week they had to come from behind to rescue a point against Athlone Town. In the process a rush of blood to the head by goalkeeper Ger Doherty led to his dismissal after lashing out at Athlone striker Austin Skelly. As well as sending off the Derry netminder referee Phil Caschera awarded Athlone a penalty which Declan O’Brien dispatched. The equaliser for Derry came from an own goal by Athlone defender David Breen.



Stephen Kenny knows his side need to start picking up points (Image by Fergus McNally)


Longford Town will be hoping for a bit of good fortune after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Shels. The result was Town’s third straight league defeat and with six minutes remaining in the game it looked as if they had claimed a vital win. But two goals in a five minute spell near the end saw victory snatched from them and they ended up with nothing. There was a question mark about Shels’ winner; Town manager Tony Cousins was livid with the decision to allow the goal, he felt it was offside.

Speaking to Extratime Cousins knows it’s an important game for Derry. He hopes his side don’t concede sloppy goals like they have of late. “The pressure is on them. If we approach the game like we did against Shelbourne, I’ll be happy. We have to stop giving silly goals away. That’s what I’m looking for,” said Cousins.

Town should have striker Peter Hynes back in contention for the game while long term absentees: striker Derek Glynn and midfielder Craig Mooney got some match practice against the Liverpool Legends in a friendly last week. Full-back Niall O’Reilly remains a doubt, while defender Chris Deans is suspended.

Derry City have midfielder Kevin Deery missing for this game while goalkeeper Ger Doherty is serving his suspension.

Longford Town
Injured: None
Doubtful: Niall O’Reilly
Suspended: Chris Deans

Derry City
Injured: Kevin Deery
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Ger Doherty

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin)
Paddy Power odds: Longford Town 10/3 Derry City 8/11 Draw 9/4
extratime.ie prediction: Draw