New chapter for Derry City as Celtic Park becomes temporary 'home'
Tiernan Lynch's side looks to build momentum in unfamiliar surroundings while the Brandywell gets a hybrid makeover
Derry City return to Foyleside this evening as Tiernan Lynch’s side prepare to face the formidable challenge of a high-flying Shamrock Rovers FC outfit at their temporarily adopted home of Celtic Park following a gruelling run of four consecutive away fixtures.
The Candystripes will play four home matches at the home of Derry GAA due to the replacement of the much-maligned artificial surface at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, with work on the new state-of-the-art hybrid sod surface well underway and requiring additional time to bed in before it is ready for competitive action.
Derry City will be hoping the new playing surface is ready well in advance of their UEFA Europa League qualification campaign, which begins in mid-July, with fixtures against Shamrock Rovers, Galway United, St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne scheduled to take place at the Lone Moor Road venue just a short distance from the Brandywell.
With over 7,000 spectators expected, Shamrock Rovers will be the first visitors to Celtic Park in what promises to be a novel occasion for both sets of supporters. The reigning champions arrive in excellent form, sitting two points clear of St Patrick’s Athletic at the summit of the table and unbeaten in nine matches.
The Hoops have already accounted for Dublin rivals Bohemian, St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne in recent weeks, and Stephen Bradley’s side will be aiming to continue that momentum when they make the long trip north on Friday evening to face a Derry City team that are beginning to show signs of recovery after a difficult opening stretch to the campaign.
Lynch’s side secured just their third win of the season last Friday and their first away victory of the year when they defeated Shelbourne at Tolka Park. A superb first-half strike from former Barnsley defender Barry Cotter gave the Foylesiders the lead before John Martin equalised shortly after the restart. Substitute Dipo Akinyemi then struck with his first touch midway through the second half to secure a vital smash-and-grab victory and breathe fresh life into what had been a disappointing start to the season.
Thirteen new arrivals came through the doors at the Brandywell during the winter ahead of Lynch’s second campaign in charge, and the Belfast native has repeatedly stressed the importance of patience as the squad continues to gel. A seven-game winless run had left the Foylesiders without a victory since March, but recent performances suggested a breakthrough result was not far away.
The Candystripes twice took the lead against a high-flying Dundalk a week earlier and followed that with a battling, if at times scrappy, draw away to Sligo Rovers on Easter Monday. Following the victory over Shelbourne, they now face another demanding test with games against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians arriving in quick succession over the coming weeks.
Lynch will be hopeful that first-choice goalkeeper Brian Maher is edging closer to a return following the broken wrist injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 1. However, Maher may have to wait patiently for his opportunity, with on-loan replacement Edward Beach producing a string of impressive performances and proving difficult to dislodge in recent weeks.
James McClean and captain Michael Duffy also remain on the injury list and would provide a major boost to Derry’s prospects if they prove fit enough to return to the matchday squad. Defender Rob Slevin is another who could strengthen Lynch’s options after missing out in Drumcondra with a knock.
Stephen Bradley has assembled a Shamrock Rovers squad packed with quality and an effective blend of youth and experience. Emerging talents such as Michael Noonan, Corey O'Sullivan, Victor Ozhianvuna and Naj Razi have slotted seamlessly into a side that already includes Republic of Ireland internationals Jack Byrne, Enda Stevens and Graham Burke, along with experienced attackers Jake Mulraney and Danny Grant. Such is the depth available that injured players, including Rory Gaffney, Lee Grace, Danny Mandroiu and Dylan Watts, have scarcely been missed.
This will be the third meeting between the sides already this season, with Derry lifting the President's Cup in Tallaght in the curtain-raiser before Rovers responded with a narrow 1–0 victory at the same venue four weeks later on a night when the visitors failed to register a single shot on target.
Rovers are perhaps the last opponents Lynch would have chosen as he continues to rebuild confidence within his squad, but there could be no greater litmus test of where this Derry City side currently stand than a meeting with the reigning double champions as they return to home surroundings once again.