Red-card record looms for Derry City

Derry City vs. Shelbourne | Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium | Friday, 7:45pm

Tiernan Lynch has admitted that Derry City have been the victims of some ‘questionable’ decisions by officials this season as the club close in on an unwanted disciplinary record.

Reflecting on Ronan Boyce’s red card against Bohemians last week, the City boss revealed that having had a look at the club’s disciplinary record since then, the numbers make for interesting reading.

The club have received eight red cards overall this season, putting them just one behind the club’s record of nine in the 1999-00 season. That is not even to mention the two red cards received by Lynch himself.

"Funny, I just got stats given to me this week about yellow cards in the league,” he explained. “Red cards in the league, fouls against and it's interesting reading to see where Derry is compared to other teams in the league.

"I challenge anybody to come and look at our yellow cards and our sendings off. I personally can't remember any malice in any of them. There's been none where I felt I had to come in afterwards and had to challenge a player based on a tackle or letting us or the club down, so I think a lot of it is questionable.”

The dismissals have a knock on effect of suspensions, with Ronan Boyce now suspended for the visit of champions Shelbourne. With four red cards in the last six games, all of which went to defenders, Lynch has been unable to pick a consistent backline for some hugely important games.

“It's been very frustrating trying to get that little bit of consistency,” he agreed. “It's something especially in defences, as the old saying goes 'back fours win you leagues and centre forwards win you games'. And there's no doubt there's truth in there somewhere. It's been a difficult one for us because we probably haven't played the same back three, back four, back five or whatever it may be on more than two occasions this year. It is what it is. There’s good players here and we'll make do.”

Derry City have defeated Shelbourne twice this season. (Photo: Stephen McCarthy / Sportsfile)

The nature of last week’s thrilling victory at Bohemians was a huge morale-boost at a crucial time of the season, with City hoping to take another big step towards European qualification with a win over Shelbourne. But for the City boss, Friday night is all that matters.

"Our mindset now is one game at a time,” he said. “We were delighted with last week but as we said after the game, it was only three points.

"It was a great three points for us. It's a difficult place to go against a top side but it's over now, it's done and it's now about what we do this week.

"We've worked very hard this week. We know it's a difficult game. Shelbourne are a really good side - current champions who strengthened again in the July window. They're in a good vein of form so we know how difficult it's going to be but it's definitely a game we're looking forward to.”

After a turbulent start to his career at Derry City, when he lost 3-1 at Tolka Park on the opening day of the campaign, Lynch has led his team to successive victories over the champions. He can now become the first manager since Declan Devine to lead a Derry City team to three successive wins over Shels.

"Those games are past and it's about what we do going forward,” Lynch reflected. “The boys are working extremely hard at the moment. They know what lies ahead of them and know the strengths Shelbourne will bring on Friday night.

“There are also areas we feel that we can be very effective and if we can do what we're capable of then hopefully we'll be okay.

"There's no doubt this group is a talented bunch of boys. I've been saying this all season, we haven't' always reaped the rewards for the work we’ve put in during games. I think the last three games, coming from behind and showing that character and grit and determination we want to bring that into Friday night.”

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Lynch has again called on the club’s supporters to make their voices heard and help the team to a victory which could put Derry City on the brink of European qualification.

"I keep saying this week in, week out, I'm not 100 percent convinced the fans realise how big of an impact and effect they have on the team,” he insisted.

“When they're loud and proud and get behind the team they can genuinely drag them through games and give them the boost that I can't give them. That's what we need to call for on Friday night. We need to get the fans up off their seats and dragging the players through this game and making the Brandywell a fortress and as difficult as we can for Shelbourne.”