League Preview: Derry City -v- Waterford

• Dave Donnelly
• Mon, Feb 25 2019




DERRY CITY

Derry City will look to put the disappointment of Friday’s night defeat to Shamrock Rovers to bed as they welcome Waterford to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Goals in either half from Dylan Watts and Aaron McEneff – who left the Candystripes for Tallaght in the off-season – saw the Hoops to a comfortable victory.

A straight red card for Jamie McDonagh compounded manager Declan Devine’s misery as the optimism from their 3-0 opening day win over UCD receded somewhat.

"There wasn't much between the two teams outside of those but we've looked at our performance and, just as we did in the win over UCD, we'll learn from it and move on," Devine told the club’s media team.

"[Waterford are] a top side with a top manager. Alan has brought in some fantastic talent and has transformed them since their promotion a couple of seasons ago."

"Their midfield trio of Shane Duggan, JJ Lunney and Bastien Hery is the best in the league in my opinion but they have quality across the back as well and Akinade is a real handful up top."

"We have plenty of quality ourselves however and if we play to our ability then it should be some game."

"This is a really good bunch of players and we knew that this would be a tough part of the season for us. It won't be difficult at all to get them up and ready to go again."

“I’m hoping our supporters come out in numbers for this one as well because they really lifted us on opening night. That backing can make a real difference in matches like this."

McDonagh misses out through suspension following his sending-off, while Darren Cole will be given a late fitness test after missing the trip to Tallaght with injury.

 

WATERFORD

Waterford arrive in Derry on the crest of a wave following Friday’s stunning 2-0 win over Cork City in Turner’s Cross.

Bastien Héry gave the Blues a half-time lead before Zack Elbouzedi secured the three points in injury time as Waterford recorded their first win at Turner’s Cross since 2011.

It was the ideal way for Alan Reynolds’ side to bounce back after conceding a crushing late winner to Shamrock Rovers at the RSC on day one.#

And they’ll look to continue that momentum against a Candystripes side they beat three times last season, including a 2-1 win at the Brandywell in August.

“The result [against Cork] was fantastic, but I thought that the performance and display from everyone was outstanding,” Reynolds told the club’s website.

“We deserved it and it could have been more. We were really good and if we were more clinical in front of goal we could have scored more.

“We are just a new team as well. There are so many new bodies and it’s going to take a bit of time for us to settle and gel.

“We’re going to have our ups and downs, but on good nights we have good players so we need to just get behind them and stick with them.

“Declan [Devine] has put together a really strong side so we know we’ll be in for a tough game on Monday.

“It’s a long journey, especially with a short turnaround, but we’re looking forward to it and have prepared the right way.

“We had a good win up there towards the end of last season so we’ll be looking for something similar.”

Reynolds is counting the cost of the victory over Cork with JJ Lunney doubtful and Scott Twine expected to miss out after making their debuts.

Ismahil Akinade is also likely to miss out after limping out of Friday’s game, but Georgie Poynton is available following his deadline-day move from St Patrick’s Athletic.

 

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

MATCH STATS

Derry City and Waterford met four times in the league last season, and Alan Reynolds’ Blues took nine points from those games.

Goals from Gavan Holohan and Dean O’Halloran earned Waterford a 2-1 home win on the opening day after Armin Aganovic had put the Candystripes in front.

Derry got some revenge with a 1-0 win at the Brandywell in April, but a 4-0 win for the Blues in the RSC was followed up by a 2-1 win in Derry in the last round of games.

Waterford’s win over Cork City on Friday was their first at Turner’s Cross since a First Division meeting on June 24^th, 2011.

Dwayne Wilson, Conor Sinnott and Paul Walsh scored in a 3-2 win, while current City striker Graham Cummins netted for the home side.

 

BETTING

Derry City 8/5; Draw 11/5; Waterford 17/10.

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 – 2 Waterford

 

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Darren Cole.

Suspended: Jamie McDonagh.

 

Waterford

Injured: Ismahil Akinade, Sam Twine.

Doubtful: JJ Lunney.

Suspended: None.