League Preview: Derry City -v- Limerick

DERRY CITY

Second from bottom Derry City will play host to bottom side Limerick on Friday evening at the Brandywell (kick off 7:45pm). In a season which has shocked many, Derry find themselves occupying the relegation play-off place after accumulating just three wins from 19 games thus far.

 

The Candystripes will be desperate to get the three points in a must-win game, but manager Peter Hutton has warned his players not to allow their league position to affect their judgement on the pitch.

 

“I understand the pressure that surroundings the game. Yes it is a huge game, given the position where we are in the table and where they are, but we can’t get caught up in that,” Hutton told DerryCityFC.net.

 

“We have to remain focused and play the game and not worry about what is going on all around it. It’s a game that we certainly need to get something from.

 

“We are also at home and we have to take the positives from last week’s first-half display at Bray Wanderers and try to transfer that into 90 minutes against Limerick,” the Derry boss concluded.



 

Fortunately for Derry, Hutton will have a full squad to pick from with no injuries to consider. Seanan Clucas has departed the club having made 15 appearances this season, but new signings Mark Quigley and Rob Cornwall have been added to the squad, while Aaron Barry is also available again after suspension.

 

 

LIMERICK

Limerick, who are the only side below Derry in the league, travel to Foyleside in dire need of their first three points of the season. Martin Russel’s side are 10 points adrift of the Candystripes at present and if ever there was a time for the Blues to break their losing streak, it's at the Brandywell this Friday.



 

The Shannonsiders' latest league outing was a 4-2 defeat to Galway United at the Market's Field last week and Limerick boss Russell felt that the gulf of experience between the two sides was ultimately the telling factor, with his own panel depleted on the day.
 

“There were different things that happened as well; we gave up too much of the ball, didn’t put them on the back foot and didn’t close down quick enough. There were a couple of things wrong in the second-half that ultimately allowed them to have too many chances and us not enough," Russell told LimerickFC.ie.
 
 
“When you’re looking for more competition, we got weaker through injuries and suspensions. We knew it was going to be difficult – that’s why I was pleased with the first-half performance because we came from a goal behind and at half-time we looked like the side that was going the right way.
 
 
“We just couldn’t sustain it in the second half and credit to Galway on their win. It’s just unfortunate and disappointing that we didn’t come out with something.”
 
 
Former UCD boss Russell will have an almost full deck to shuffle this week, with Lee Lynch and Aidan Price the only two doubts for the trip to Derry. Defenders Robbie Williams and Sean Harding will both return from suspension.
 
 
However, goalkeeper Conor O'Donnell has left the club by mutual consent, meaning 17 year old Tommy Holland can expect to retain his place between the sticks having impressed in the defeat to the Tribesmen last week.

 

Referee: Paul Tuite

 

MATCH STATS

Derry City are currently the lowest scoring side in the two divisions combined having scored just 12 goals in 19 games this season.

 

Limerick are yet to win a Premier Division game in 2015.

 

The Candystripes triumphed in the last meeting between the sides, goals from Barry McNamee and Mark Timlin giving them a 2-0 win at Jackman Park.

 

BETTING

Derry City 4/7; Draw 11/4; Limerick 5/1.

 

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-1 Limerick.

           

 

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Aidan Price (knee), Lee Lynch.

Suspended: None.

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