19.45 19 May 2015 -
Referee: Robert Harvey
EA Sports Cup Preview: Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers
- Macdara Ferris
- Mon, May 18 2015
DERRY CITY
The Candystripes come into Tuesday’s EA Sports Cup quarter-final at the Brandywell (kick off 7.45pm) with just one win in their last eight competitive games in the Bogside; that last victory was a 3-0 win over Drogheda United in the opening month of the season.
Last time out in the league, Derry put in a spirited performance against the champions in Oriel Park. However, having more than just hung on against Dundalk for 87 minutes, they conceded a late John Mountney goal to lose the game.
Shaun Patton was in goal for Peter Hutton’s men as goalkeeper Ger Doherty was out with a back injury. The Candystripes will be without midfielder Philip Lowry, who could be out for a number of weeks with a cartilage injury, which he suffered at Dundalk on Friday night and Josh Daniels, Ronan Curtis and Ciaron Harkin are also on the treatment table. The trio picked up ankle problems this week.
“I would image tomorrow’s match being a tight affair, the first game between the sides was almost like a war of attrition, with both teams cancelling each other out,” said Derry boss Peter Hutton talking about the 0-0 draw in the league earlier in the season.
“It was a physical battle and Rovers, very much like Dundalk, are a physically imposing team, but we matched that in the first game and as the match went on I felt we became stronger and that was pleasing.
“So I’m expecting something similar tomorrow night, but it’s important that we maintain the same energy levels and have the same application as we had against Dundalk.”
The teams have met in cup action three times since 2010. Five years ago the Hoops knocked the Candystripes out at this stage of the League Cup, winning 2-1 thanks to goals by Gary Twigg and Dessie Baker. Derry will be seeing Baker again next week when the Candystipes take on an Edenderry Town team that has Baker as part of both their management and playing team (you can read Peter Hutton’s take on that game here).
In April 2012, Rovers won 2-0 in the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final second leg at the Brandywell but the Candystripes 3-0 first leg victory was enough to take them through to the final. Last year, Derry City prevailed in the FAI Cup semi-final at home 2-0 with two goals in the last three minutes of the replay from Michael Duffy and Rory Patterson.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
The Hoops laboured at times last Friday night against Longford Town at Tallaght Stadium requiring a brace from centre-half Max Blanchard in their 3-2 league win. Gavin Brennan opened the scoring for the Hoops. His brother Ryan was not in the match day squad due to a thigh strain and may miss out on the trip north where the sides played out a scoreless draw in the league last month.
David Webster should be available to Pat Fenlon after the central defender picked up an injury in April’s 3-0 win over Bray Wanderers. Fenlon is expected to use his squad to the full on Tuesday and will likely bring in players who have had limited game time in the league where the Hoops boss has played a fairly settled team.
‘Keeper Craig Hyland has started all 13 league games for the Hoops with Barry Murphy starting in the two other competitive games so far this season – the 3-1 away win over Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup and in the 2-0 win in Stradbrook against Cabinteely in the last round of the EA Sports Cup. However, Murphy was not in the Hoops squad last Friday with under 19 goalkeeper Michael Kelly on the bench.
Rovers come into the game looking to make it 20 competitive games unbeaten in a row. This would be the first time they will have achieved this landmark since 1957. In the last ten games between the teams at the Brandywell, the Hoops have prevailed on four occasions with City winning three times.
Referee: Tomás Connolly.
MATCH STATS
Whoever wins Tuesday’s tie will earn themselves a record number of League Cup semi-final appearances. Currently both sides are top of that table having made it 15 times each to the semi-final of the competition.
Derry City have won the League Cup a record ten times but it is four years since they last lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win over Cork City in the final. Since then Shamrock Rovers have reached the final each season but have won the trophy just once – the 2014 edition – which was only the second time the Hoops have won the League Cup.
Mark Farren is one of three Derry players, along with Kevin Deery and Barry Molloy, who have played in four successive League Cup winning teams. For more details on fundraising for Mark Farren’s treatment, please see here.
BETTING
Derry City 12/5; Draw 11/5; Shamrock Rovers 11/10.
PREDICTION
1-0 after extratime to Shamrock Rovers.
Derry City
Injured: Philip Lowry, Josh Daniels, Ronan Curtis, Ciaron Harkin.
Doubtful: Ger Doherty, Patrick McEleney, Stephen Dooley.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Not available.
Doubtful: Ryan Brennan.
Suspended: None.
About Macdara Ferris
Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl …