It's all set up to be a cracker at Brandywell on Friday, when a draw is of limited use to either Derry City or Shamrock Rovers in their pursuit of League of Ireland leaders Shelbourne. The Candystripes are aiming to end their recent losing streak against the Hoops, who have won four of the last six meetings between the two sides. Rovers are just about hanging on in the title race, but Derry's dismissal of Shels in the FAI Cup last weekend underlined that the league leaders are vulnerable and also showed the Candystripes' qualities when they have a full squad at their disposal. The game will be a massive incentive for Rovers to beat Derry, making it arguably the most dangerous game of the title run-in for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players.
Derry City's Focus On The Task At Hand
Higgins refused to write Rovers off in the race for the title over recent months where it looked highly unlikely they could challenge for five in a row and he didn't rise to the bait this week when it was suggested victory for Derry on Friday would signal an end for the Hoops. "We know a win would certainly strengthen our case that's for sure and that's all we're focussed on. If we win and it damages other teams then so be it. I always say it's too dangerous to look at what other clubs are doing and looking at other results. We want to be in control of our own destiny. If we get three points tomorrow night then we know it'll put us in a good position."
Derry's Key Player - Michael Duffy
DERRY City’s Michael Duffy is determined to follow up last week’s FAI Cup win over Shelbourne with another big performance against champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday night. The talented winger netted the crucial opening goal against Damien Duff’s side on Saturday, but it was the team’s overall performance – as well as his own - that has given them a spring in their step ahead of Friday’s encounter at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. “I was due one of them as I’ve had a few frustrating weeks in front of the net, so that was a good feeling on Saturday night, getting that goal,” he said. “Just for my own point of view, I need to be playing like that every game until the end of the season, and that’s the way I want to play every week; I want to be getting involved with our goals and scoring goals and getting a lot of the ball, so hopefully I can push on now and finish the season strong.”
The Importance Of Home Advantage
One huge factor on Derry City’s side this week is a much-improved home form which has brought 12 ins in 17 games in all competitions. In a season of too many ups and downs, consistency now, more than ever, is needed if the season is to end with silverware. “We've stuck at it,” McMullan insisted. “We’ve stuck together, we've come in for a lot of criticism and sometimes rightfully so but we're a strong group, we're a close group and hopefully that shows it in the pitch and hopefully come the end of the season we'll be rewarded for that.”
Derry's Winning Mentality
Mark Connolly has no doubts that Derry City can finally get one over Shamrock Rovers, ahead of a potentially decisive game in the title race tomorrow night. After taking six points from games against Sligo Rovers and Galway United over the weekend, there is no doubt that champions Rovers are back in the title race, and they come to the Brandywell knowing a win will close the gap on second place to just one point. Rovers hold a dominant record over Derry City in recent times, winning four of the last six games, including twice this season already. But after last week’s FAI Cup Quarterfinal victory over Shelbourne, the mood at the Brandywell is one of confidence and optimism, and after beating Damien Duff’s team for the first time in seven games, all eyes are now on ending that poor run against Rovers. "We don't look into that side of it too much, but it's just obviously the next game,” Connolly said. “I feel like we should have won down there (earlier in the season). The other two times we probably didn't do enough to win the games. So, now we go into Friday full of confidence after a great performance, but it's going to be a tough game. We know how good they can be but if we're at it, I fancy us. We've always done well here at the Brandywell against them. It's a big game, it's another big game at this stage of the season, it's exciting for everyone involved, so we'll be right at it this week.”
Derry's Strong Form
The manner of the victory over Shelbourne came at the perfect time for Derry City, in terms of how they responded to the defeat at Galway, and how they performed in a big game against one of their biggest rivals. The confidence is now soaring through everyone at the Brandywell ahead of another huge game. “I thought we were excellent,” Connolly reflected. “I thought everyone to a man, even the boys who came on were outstanding. I thought the work rate, the way we were set up as a team was really, really good. The boys in the forward areas and midfield were outstanding with their work rate, with and without the ball. I felt like we'd done well defensively, but again, that comes from the team and the lads in the forward areas, they set the tone, really. It was comfortable. Obviously when you’re out on the pitch, you don't feel as comfortable as what it might look from the side, but in the end, a 2-0 win and we’re delighted to be into the semi-final.”
Title Race Showdown
With seven league games and potentially two cup games to come, Derry City are the only team in the Premier Division still in with a chance of claiming both big prizes at the end of the campaign, which, despite a difficult season, says a lot about the character of the players according to Connolly. “At times, it probably doesn't feel that way, with sometimes how the feeling is around the club and stuff,” he continued. “But I feel like we've put ourselves in this situation. It's been a tough league. Everyone's dropping points. And now we're one win away from being in the final of the FAI Cup and we're also touching distance from top in the league. If you had said at the start of the season, this is where we're going to be at this stage, I think everyone would have said, happy days, let's go. We've still got a tough six, seven, eight weeks to go, but I think we showed that the boys are up for the challenge.”
Looking Forward
“We'll be fully focused now for Friday. It's going to be a big game, it's going to be a tough game. There's plenty of points to play for and we have a tough game against a very, very good team.” It promises to be a huge weekend in the Premier Division, with Shelbourne away to Galway United, and Friday night could yet prove to be one of the more significant of the season. Rovers, written off for so long, are now building momentum at the right time. “Listen, there's plenty of points to play for and the old cliche of you're not out of it until you're mathematically out of it,” Connolly stated. “There's still 7-8 games to go for a lot of teams, so, it's going to be twisting and turning from now until the end of the season, but like I said, we're in a really, really good position. We're delighted to be where we are and now it's just about pushing it over the line if we can for the next 7 league games and then obviously the cup, but we'll give it a right go.”
Derry vs Shamrock Rovers: A Classic Matchup
The game will be a test of Derry City's character as they look to make a statement against the reigning champions. It will be a battle of styles, with Derry's attacking flair going up against Rovers' defensive solidity. The outcome of the match could have a major impact on the title race, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the final stretch of the season.
