Airtricity Premier Division: Derry City face tough home opener against in-form Cork

Kenny Shiels is under no illusions of the scale of the task facing his Derry City side as they prepare for their first home game of the season against Cork City at the Brandywell tonight (Kick off 7.45pm).

The Leesiders make the trek north flying high after their President’s Cup Final win over league champions Dundalk last month and an impressive win over Bohemians in last week’s league opener.

In contrast, Shiels’ Candy Stripes are still trying to get their season off the ground after a frustrating opening night in Ballybofey but, on a better pitch and with what is expected to be a large crowd behind them, the City boss wants his players to relish the challenge.

He said: “The players are looking forward to it.

“There’ll hopefully be a big crowd at the game and we’d like to start entertaining the supporters.

“The pitch is looking better than Finn Park but we want to move on from that now, the focus all week has been on this game and the opportunity for the players to express themselves against a good side.”

Former Dundalk striker Sean Maguire was the star of the show as he netted both goals in Cork’s 2-0 win against Bohemians in their televised opening game at Turner’s Cross last Friday night.

John Caulfield’s side finished runners up to Dundalk in both the League and FAI Cup last season but, after watching them first hand in their recent preseason friendly win over Drogheda at United Park, Shiels believes he couldn’t ask for a tougher start to his home tenure.

“Cork are the form team in the league at the moment and they recently destroyed Dundalk who are the bench mark for teams in the league,” he noted.

“They have a good style of play and they work hard. The onus is on us to try and match that workrate.

“I saw them against Drogheda and they have got a good bit about them so it’ll be a big challenge to match them.”