'We just need that little bit of luck' - Tiernan Lynch

Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch believes his side just need that little bit of luck, as they prepare to take on Galway United, this evening (Friday).

With just nine matches remaining City go in search of their first league success since seeing off Waterford at the Ryan McBride Stadium.

That emphatic 7-2 win was arguably one of their best performances in years with Liam Boyce helping himself to a hat-trick, while Michael Duffy, Gavin Whyte, Sadou Diallo and Mark Connolly all getting on the score-sheet that night.

However, since that victory, Lynch’s side have only secured one win seeing off First Division men Treaty United in the Sports Direct FAI Cup, however they exited that competition last Saturday when holders Drogheda United knocked them out.

Unfortunately, in the league, while still sitting in third place, Derry have only managed to secure two points from their last three matches and with Kevin Doherty’s men along with St Patrick’s Athletic and champions Shelbourne closing in, securing that automatic European place is going to be tough for the Foylesiders.

“We feel like we’re doing good things and we just need potentially that little bit of luck, the ball going in off someones backside and give us a wee bit of a run that we’re crying out for,” stated Lynch.

“We’ve obviously watched Galway a couple of times this week. They got a great point against (Shamrock) Rovers and they scored four against Salthill in their cup game, so they’re obviously coming into the game with a wee bit of form.

“They definitely have threats, they’ve people up front who are big, strong and physical and they’re a big athletic team, so they’ll have their threats and it certainly won’t be an easy game.

“We have to just keep doing what we’re doing and we’ve got to keep believing in the things that we’re doing and hope and pray that, that little bit of luck turns for us and we start reaping the rewards from all the work that we’re putting in.”

With fellow European hopefuls Drogheda and St Pat’s still in the FAI Cup and Joey O’Brien’s Shels still competing in the Conference League; Derry now only have their league matches to focus on, but Lynch feels his side’s preparation won’t change in the run-in.

“I don’t think we’ll change anything, in terms of what we do,” he confirmed. “Our big thing now is that we need to start scoring goals and we’re working extremely hard in getting balls into good areas and when we get into good areas can we be a little bit more clinical.

Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch is hoping his side with bounce back from Saturday's FAI Cup exit as the Candystripes travel to Galway tomorrow night. (Photos: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)

“I still think we’re very dominant in games, we’re controlling games but scoring goals is probably the wee area that we probably need to get more from and we know that and we don’t shy away from a thing like that, so that’s got to be are main concentration over the next few weeks, to give us a platform to try and go and secure European football.”

The Brandywell men travel to Eamonn Deacy Park without defender Ben Doherty through suspension, while duo Robbie Benson (foot) and Liam Boyce (hamstring) are also out for a number of weeks, however on the plus side Cameron Dummigan and Sean Patton are close to forcing their way into the Derry squad.

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“Cameron Dummigan and Sean Patton are getting closer and closer, they have now joined into full training with the first team all week,” explained the Belfast native.

“Liam Boyce looks like he’s going to be out, we haven’t got confirmation from his scan, but it looks like it’s going to be long term.”