Charlie from the Stands: Derry raising the bar in Europe

Like any football fan, your emotions can often reflect how your team is doing. In the words of Gennaro Gattuso, ‘sometimes may be good, sometimes may be shit’.

Recently, on a personal level, there hasn’t been much of the latter, but instead, a real feeling of admiration towards the current Derry City side, none more so than during their performance in Kazakhstan last week.

As I said last week, the aggregate win over KuPS in the previous round almost went a little under the radar – certainly by national media – in terms of how impressive an achievement it was.

But to then back that performance up with an almost faultless away display in Kazakhstan, against a team 287 places above them in the European coefficient table, made me begin to wonder - what is possible with this team?

The optimist in me wants to believe that Derry will overcome the 1-0 deficit and progress – of course, it does. Do I believe they will? I honestly don’t know anymore. I don’t know the ceiling that this team can hit. The first leg was decided by a bit of magic, a rocket of a strike from the left back, an incredible finish. That’s all that separated the sides.

If that doesn’t ignite confidence in the Derry camp before a return leg in Tallaght, what will?

One thing I do believe is that UEFA’s decision to refuse permission for Derry to play the return leg at Windsor Park gives Derry a far greater chance of progressing. And let me explain why…

Within the current Derry squad, there is a huge number of highly technical players, from the goalkeeper right through the squad. What do technical players love? A good surface.

The pitch at Tallaght Stadium will be an idyllic setting for these players to show what they can do. And more importantly, a familiar setting.

Which brings me to the next piece of the puzzle – familiarity. Derry City’s frequency of games in the capital means that small things like the bus, where and when to stop and eat on the way, changing rooms, pitch dimensions, and surroundings - all of this will make the decision-making on the day - for both staff and players - much easier. Games like these are surrounded by pressure and expectancy, but the routine of the trip will allow the brain to rest and focus on the game.

As an ex-player, playing in Europe is a highlight moment in your career and, for some players, the pinnacle, so you want no distractions.

Whilst the travel proximity would make more sense for the majority of Derry City fans, the option of Windsor Park would have created a whole new experience in terms of matchday for the squad. Going into a game like this, you don’t need ‘new.’ Let's leave visiting Windsor for when the All-Ireland League is formed!

The second leg presents this Derry side with an opportunity: go and write yourself into the Derry City history books. Among the men with that chance will be a history-maker himself, Patrick McEleney, who will remarkably make his 50th appearance in European competition.

What a career and what an achievement. Partner with the leadership of McEleney, along with a flying Paul McMullen and an in-form Michael Duffy, and you have to feel that this is a massive opportunity for this squad.

Light the holy candles…

Domestically, the FAI Cup takes centre stage as teams battle out to make the last eight of this year’s edition. The heavyweight clash of Derry and St Pat’s is undoubtedly the tie of the round, and with Derry looking to retain the title this season, you would hope there won’t be a hangover – good or bad – from Thursday’s European outing on Sunday.

In St Pat’s, Derry faces the other favorites after Shamrock Rovers’ exit. They currently sit second in the league and, with no European football, can concentrate 100% on the league and cup, and will no doubt be hoping that Derry’s busy schedule catches up with them come the weekend.

Jordan McEneff celebrates with an in-form Michael Duffy.

In the Munster derby, Cork City welcomes Waterford to Turner’s Cross, in what could potentially be a banana skin for Liam Buckley’s side. Though the attacking prowess of Ruairi Keating and Tunde Owolabi will make Cork a threat to any side, their 3-1 defeat to Cobh in Monday’s Munster Cup decider shows that the defensive frailties are still evident.

In Ronan Coughlan, Waterford has one of the best strikers in the domestic game, and under the expert tutelage of Keith Long and Alan Reynolds, the Blues will go into this game knowing that they can get a result.

John Caulfield’s high-flying Galway United will look for a scalp as they take on the struggling UCD.

Being 16 points clear at the top of the First Division, I see Galway being able to concentrate fully on this tie, and they will fancy themselves against the Students.

Bray Wanderers will host Dundalk at the Carlisle Grounds and could face a difficult afternoon against a side gunning for European football via the FAI Cup this season. Dundalk’s league form has been inconsistent at best, and currently sitting in fifth place, they may view this route as being their best chance at European qualification.

Basement club Kerry FC’s inaugural season in the League of Ireland has returned only seven points to date, but performances have been encouraging in recent weeks – offensively, at least. In Drogheda United, however, they are taking on a side that I feel could be a dark horse to reach this year’s decider.

Kevin Doherty is working off a budget of around 30% of the big boys and doing an incredible job; just rewards would be a big day out in Dublin. You would expect an easy win for Drogheda, but they will not have played at a place like Mounthawk Park this season, and I have no doubt that the Kerry faithful will be doing their utmost to help their side.

There is still non-league representation at this stage as FAI Intermediate Cup winners, Rockmount makes the trip to Dalymount Park; St Patrick’s CY host Wexford FC and just the short jaunt away in Ballybofey, Dave Rogers’ Finn Harps welcome Skerries Town to Finn Park on Friday night.

For Harps, the tie presents them with a chance to get back on track after a week of two defeats in what has been a difficult first season for Rogers.

With playoffs still an outside possibility, one would feel that a cup run would certainly benefit the new-look side as they enter the latter stages of the season. Who knows where it could go?