Derry City's Mark Connolly ready for Rovers

Derry City vs. Shamrock Rovers

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Friday, 7:45pm

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.”

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.”

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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.

DETERMINED… Derry City have failed to beat Shamrock Rovers in three attempts this season. (Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)

“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.”

“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.”