CHARLIE FROM THE STANDS: Derry City supporters have reasons to be optimistic heading into a pivotal weekend

It is shaping up to be quite a weekend of action on the Lone Moor Road this week, with both GAA and football serving up mouthwatering ties for the sports-mad community of the North-West. Not only do we have a ‘Big Two’ clash between Derry City and the current four-in-a-row Premier Division holders Shamrock Rovers, but we have the best GAA team in Ulster coming to Celtic Park to bring Derry down a peg or two.

I think both Donegal and Derry will agree that Tyrone’s 2021 All-Ireland win always have an asterisk beside it because of COVID – similar to all those leagues that Pep Guardiola has guided Manchester City to in England… And with that being said, when it mattered, Donegal is the most recent All-Ireland winner from the province.  

Forget about your Division One win on penalties against the Dubs. The Derry GAA faithful know that when Jimmy’s Winning Matches comes to town, it spells danger, and I can feel the fear. My yellow and green plaited headband will be tightly tied around my head for Saturday’s victory. The good news is that I won’t be upsetting anyone else, as I see Derry City coming out of this weekend smelling of roses as well, and here’s why…

Francois Pierrot’s late equaliser for Drogheda United last week would have left Derry staff, players and fans seething at only coming away with a share of the spoils, considering the chances they failed to convert throughout the game.

However, despite dropping points at Weavers Park, there were encouraging signs pre-match when Sadou Diallo, Pat Hoban and Colm Whelan were on the pitch going through their paces. Ciaron Harkin got an incredible and well-deserved reception after coming back from two ACL injuries a few weeks ago, and whenever Colm Whelan pulls on the Derry jersey next, he should get the same. Imagine a strike force of Whelan and Hoban – there will fewer chances spurned anyway, that’s for sure.

Whelan is a player that can be a game-changer for Derry. His horrific luck with injuries is hopefully now over, and with full backing from management, his ability partnered with Hoban’s clinical nature, could turn Derry into the force we all hoped they would be this season. Though he is not likely to be involved this Friday, potentially having Diallo, Hoban, Ben Doherty and Patrick McEleney available, it really strengthens Derry’s options coming into a pivotal weekend facing Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s.

In my last few columns, I have discussed the importance of Derry’s home record this year. Last season, they picked up just half of the points on offer, which had to be addressed if they were to mount a title challenge this season. Currently, Derry have 12 points from a possible 15 at home, and should they be able to add to this by next Tuesday, it could certainly prove crucial as the season goes on.

I am optimistic about Derry’s chances this weekend, and whilst it may not be two wins from two, I do believe they will be come away with more than just three points. But still, both Rovers and Pat’s represent formidable opposition.

Rovers’ away form so far this season (only five goals) and being able to target their defence and goalkeeper, could mean that Derry have a strong chance of getting a positive result here. Monday’s opposition in St Pat’s have also struggled in front of goal so far this campaign, with only three goals away from home, and five points from an available 15. They do possess quality throughout the team and with game-winners like Chris Forrester and Ruairi Keating in their squad, Derry will need to be at their best.

Two home games means the elimination of travel from Derry’s schedule this weekend. Having featured in many double game-weeks in my playing career, you cannot underestimate the strain that 7+ hours on a bus can have on your body when trying to get through two fixtures in four days. Derry will be fresher, and if recent performances against both sides are anything to go by, signs are positive for the Brandywell side.

Darragh Burns’ flying form for Stephen Bradley’s side at the minute has been one of their highlights so far, but you could argue that the RWB role he is filling, isn’t his natural best position. I think this area is where the game will be won. Derry’s joy in the past has come from these wide positions, particularly when Trevor Clarke and Neil Farrugia didn’t feature. Facing Michael Duffy against an attacking minded Burns could be profitable for Derry, so it will be interesting to see how Bradley approaches that. Add Doherty into that mix, and I would be confident of Derry securing all three points.

Effective 

Bohemians were the real winners last weekend with two wins against Shelbourne and Dundalk, which catapulted them into joint second with Derry. With another set-play goal to boot, their fourth in five games since Alan Reynolds joined the club, the Gypsies have defiantly climbed up the table as results go their way throughout the league. It might not be rock-and-roll football, but it is effective, and something that Reynolds will ensure Bohemians are until the transfer window when he can put his stamp on the squad.

For Dundalk, Stephen O’Donnell’s replacement has yet to be recruited and with Brian Gartland overseeing proceedings at present, he is still attempting to find the Louth side’s first win of the season, though they produced a solid showing against St Pat’s in a 0-0 draw.

Both promoted sides, Waterford and Galway United, also shared the spoils with a goalless draw, with Galway surely the happier of both teams leaving the RSC. 

There are some crackers in store this week, with Shamrock Rovers following their trip to the Brandywell with a trip to Tolka Park to face Damien Duff’s unlikely title-challengers. There are still murmurings of ‘wait ‘til Rovers hit their stride…’, which they have proven to do in the last few years. However, something tells me this year might be a little different. Two defeats this week could really knock them, whilst two wins puts them right in the mix.