League Preview: Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Sep 17 2015




DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to put a difficult week behind them when they host Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell on Friday night.

 

Monday last saw the Candystripes crash out of the FAI Cup, as three Cork City goals in the last minutes at Turner’s Cross broke Derry hearts.

 

Monday night saw the end of not only Derry's 2015 cup run, but also the end of Derry legend Peter Hutton's first spell in charge of the Candystripes.

 

The City board moved quickly to install an interim replacement for Hutton ahead of Friday night, appointing ex-City player and assistant manager Paul Hegarty until the end of the season.

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Rovers will be aiming for a positive, fresh performance when they travel North to face Derry after having last week off from league action due to being out of the FAI Cup.

 

However, while the Hoops may have been able to put league worries to the back of their minds, the Tallaght club were in Leinster Senior Cup action on Tuesday of last week, as a Gareth McCaffrey strike away in Longford helped book Pat Fenlon's men a place in the competition’s semi-final stage, a stage that will see them play away to arch rivals Bohemians.

 

On the league front with the title all but out of their grasp, the Hoops will be striving to finish strongly and pip Cork City to second place in order to make a statement and start building for next year, well that is if Pat Fenlon is still in charge after fresh rumours emerged linking him with a position at Scottish giants Celtic.

 

Fenlon's travel to the Brandywell third in the Premier Division table, seven points behind second placed Cork City with a game at hand.

 

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

 

MATCH STATS

A defeat for Shamrock Rovers this Friday night would see them lose back-to-back league away games for the first time this season.

 

City will be looking to avoid back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since June.

 

Derry’s last home game against Drogheda United saw them lose 2-0 to a Drogheda United side who had just lost their manager Johnny McDonnell.  Can City do something similar following the departure of Peter Hutton earlier on this week?

 

BETTING

Derry City 3/1; Draw 12/5; Shamrock Rovers 10/11.

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

 

Derry City

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.