19.45 12 Jun 2015 -
Referee: Neil Doyle
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Derry City
- Gareth O'Reilly
- Thu, Jun 11 2015
Drogheda welcome Derry City to United Park on Friday evening for the first time this season, kick off is set for 7:45pm.
DROGHEDA UNITED
The Drogs will be hoping to make it four wins on the trot as Peter Hutton’s Derry City brigade turn up to United Park on Friday evening.
Last week Johnny McDonnell’s side had to contend with a large home support in favour of Limerick, but that did not prevent the men from Louth emerging with all three points, something that the former Shels boss was particularly pleased with.
“I thought we put in a good professional performance,” McDonnell admitted. “We asked the players to stay in the game and not get caught up in the atmosphere in the new stadium and they did more than that. We have worked on a couple of set-pieces in training and that paid dividends with Sean Thornton setting up Mick Daly for the first goal.
“They were a huge three points for us with all the other teams around us losing so that will give us a big lift for the Derry game.”
McDonnell’s men could head off into the mid-season break in as high as sixth place should results go in the favour of Drogheda on Friday night.
“Our aim at the start of the season was to finish as high as possible in the league. We didn’t put a number on it as our primary objective was to avoid relegation and that remains the goal. There is very little between the six or seven teams in the bottom half of the table and if we underperform in a game, chances are we won’t win.
"We are a long way from being safe at this stage. I think once we get to 32/33 points we’ll be alright but until then we need to approach every game with the same level of commitment and performance that we’ve shown in the last few weeks.”
In team news Shane Dunne is suspended, while a groin injury has made Mark Hughes a doubt for the home side.
United have not won a game all season by more than two goals and McDonnell is anticipating another close and hard fought battle ensuing against Derry City.
“I know that Derry have been on a bad run of late and seem to be conceding a fair few goals but they will look at us as an opportunity to get back on track. We are in form at the moment with four wins in six but I want to remind the players that they can’t lose focus especially against a side like Derry.
“They have the attacking talent to take advantage of any lapses in concentration so we need to be on our game.”
DERRY CITY
Derry play their third game in the space of a week when they make the trip to play Drogheda United.
Having conceded seven goals in their last two games Derry manager Peter Hutton understandably would like to head into the midseason break with a clean sheet but more importantly with all three points.
“This is a very important game for us particularly with the break coming up. It will see us go into the break with some much needed confidence. Naturally enough after Monday night’s result the lads were a bit deflated early in the week but since them they have picked up and the lads are now looking forward to the game now.”
There is always some pressure but given the recent run of results it has built a little more, but it’s our job to make sure that it doesn’t affect us. We all want to do well and we all want to be successful and it has been a learning curve for some of the younger players but we know sometimes you have to experience the lows to enjoy your highs. We are still very confident in our ability and we know that once we get players back and maybe add a couple of fresh faces we will start to climb the table.”
Stephen Dooley is continuing to receive treatment for his back injury and is therefore ruled out of this fixture while Ryan McBride is suspended for the clash.
Referee: Neil Doyle
MATCH FACTS
Derry have won just twice on the road this season but Drogheda have only won three times at home so this game could go either way.
A win for Derry City will see Peter Hutton’s men leap frog over Drogheda United.
The record in 2014 between these teams was one win for Derry, one draw and one win for Drogheda.
BETTING
Drogheda United 15/8; Draw 23/10; Derry City 7/5.
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 1-1 Derry City
Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Mark Hughes (groin).
Suspended: Shane Dunne.
Derry City
Injured: Stephen Dooley (back).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ryan McBride.
About Gareth O'Reilly
Gareth is the Editor of Extratime.ie. Gareth began as a normal reporter covering games all over Dublin before being asked to help out with behind the scene activities and eventually moving into the role of …