Roddy Collins takes the new look Derry City to West Belfast this afternoon for a pre-season friendly with Irish Premiership club Cliftonville (kick off 3.00pm).
Aaron Barry.
City finally got their pre-season games up and running on Tuesday night last with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Institute in the annual Billy Kee Memorial Cup game.
Collins is not getting carried away with the win, being more than happy to finally get a “proper” friendly under his belt, given the first three pre-season clashes at Limavady, Coleraine and Newbuildings were all called off due to unplayable pitches.
The West Belfast side have agreed to the “last minute” fixture due the sixth round games in the Irish Cup taking place today – Institute were defeated 4-3 in the last round by Coleraine.
Collins is expected to use this afternoon’s clash to give a “run out” to as many players as possible, as he did at Drumahoe on Tuesday night, with the club’s seven new signings – Aaron Barry, Cliff Byrne, Mark Stewart, Roddy Collins Junior, Enda Curran, Danny Ventre and Ciaran Gallagher – due to play some part in the game.
No tickets are required for the clash with admission at the Solitude turnstiles priced at £5 (£3 for OAPs and under-16s with under-11s admitted free if accompanied by an adult).
Meanwhile, all proceeds from Derry’s first home friendly of the season against Glentoran at Brandywell on Tuesday night next are to be donated to the fundraising effort taking place in support for former City striker Mark Farren who is currently undergoing treatment for brain tumour.
Many former City players as well as those from Glenavon – Farren’s current club – are expected to take part in a 5k run in support of the fund taking place this morning in Killea, organised by current Finn Harps captain and former Brandywell striker Kevin McHugh.
Derry’s other confirmed pre-season friendlies are:
February 16: – v Derry and District Select; kick off time to be confirmed
March 1 – v Portadown (away), kick off time to be confirmed.
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