Credit:
Derry City -v- Drogheda United
- P.J. Murray
- Mon, Mar 18 2013
DERRY CITY
The Candystripes have an early opportunity to avenge their Setanta Cup defeat by Drogheda United when they host the Boynesiders on Tuesday night at the Brandywell.
Derry held Drogheda to a 1-1 draw at the Brandywell in their Setanta Cup first leg meeting before a 94th minute winner in Hunky Dorys Park saw them exit the competition in which they were runners up last season.
Derry will be full of confidence after recording a comprehensive 6-0 victory against UCD on Friday night, a game which four different players put their name on the scoresheet. Rory Patterson bagged a hat-trick while Marc Griffin, Thomas Crawley and Michael Griffin made up the other three goals.
Declan Devine will still be without the injured Stewart Greacen while Sean Houston and Paddy Kavanagh are still doubts, however Ryan McBride has been a solid stand-in for the experienced Greacen.
Speaking to the Derry Journal after his hat-trick against UCD, Rory Patterson said “There’s not much point in beating UCD 6-0 if we then go on to lose at home to Drogheda.
“I think the team will be in fine form after Friday’s win and hopefully if everything goes to plan we can be consistent and get another three points,” he added.
DROGHEDA UNITED
The Boynesiders have had an up and down start to their season, they lost to Pats before a dramatic game saw them scrape a 2-2 draw with Limerick FC. Declan O’Brien scored two of three penalties awarded to Drogheda to secure a share of the spoils.
This will be the third meeting between Derry and Drogheda, but Mick Cooke doesn’t feel it makes his preparations any different, speaking before the game the Drogheda manager said “Obviously this will be our third meeting with Derry in such a short space of time, and so far the games have been played in good spirit and we will be hoping that continues tomorrow night, sometimes when teams play each other in such quick succession a bit of niggle can creep in, and that hasn't happened yet.”
Cooke’s injury worries have been alleviated ahead of the trip to the Brandywell, Cathal Brady is back available for selection. Fears surrounding Gary O’Neill’s injury, sustained in the last meeting between the sides, have been lessened with the news that he will be back in two weeks. However, Alan McNally and Derek Prendergast are still out.
Referee: Derek Tomney
MATCH STATS
Derry’s last win at the Brandywell against Drogheda was a 2-0 win on the 10th of May 2011. Their last win against Drogheda was July 1st 2011
Last season Derry’s home form saw them lose eight games with only one draw and five wins at the Bradywell.
Drogheda’s loss to St Pats on the opening night was their only defeat in six competitive games.
BETTING
Derry City Evs, Draw 11/5, Drogheda United 11/4.
PREDICTION
This will be third time lucky for Derry a 1-0 win for the home side.
Derry City
Injured: Stewart Greacen.
Doubtful: Sean Houston, Paddy Kavanagh.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Alan McNally, Gary O’Neill, Derek Prendergast.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.