Creggan’s James McClean coming to the Brandywell this evening
FORMER Derry City players – James McClean and Niall McGinn and Derry men Shane Duffy and Shane Ferguson have done their city extremely proud at Euro 2016.
Now James McClean and Shane Ferguson are coming to the Brandywell this evening.
They will at the ground to support their local team and they will be paraded on the pitch at half-time in Friday’s game against champioons Dundalk (kick off 7.45 pm).
So come and welcome them home and help them cheer on the Red & White Army.
The people of Derry painted the town green and white during the Euro’s.
It’s now time to paint it Red & White!
The Candystripes took a battling point from Oriel Park earlier in the season and three points would send out a clear statement.
City are the only side in the top five of this season’s Airtricity Premier Division table that are not involved in European action this week, and therefore have the opportunity to steal a march on both Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic and close the gap on Cork and Dundalk above them.
Whilst the focus has been on Euro2016, City picked up three points last week at home to Wexford Youths with Nathan Boyle grabbing the winner in the first half.
However City had it far from their own way last week, with manager Kenny Shiels hailing the contribution of Gerard Doherty in the home goal. Josh Daniels also played his part, with a clearing header to ensure that City start the post mid season break with a win.
Dundalk dispatch with St Pats at Oriel last week and find themselves 3 points clear of Cork in second, with a gap of 9 points back to City in third. The league leaders had lost in Turners Cross just before the break to end a run of 8 wins which follow the Candystripes drawing in Oriel at the start of April.
Kenny Shiels has seen his side’s form fluctuate more widely, with wins against Wexford and Bray mixed with draws against Finn Harps and Galway, as well as a defeat in Turners Cross to Cork.
But the manager saw his team defeat Wexford last week and will be hoping that they can up their game tomorrow night in the Brandywell.
Last week Shiels started Nathan Boyle on right hand side of midfield and the youngster grabbed his sixth goal of the season, showing that Boyle can offer a wide option as well as being an alternative for Rory Patterson up front.
Shiels must continue to plan with Gareth McGlynn who continues his rehab from a hamstring problem.
Back up keeper Shaun Patton is also unavilable for selection.
In better news Schubert and Monaghan will undergo fitness tests tomorrow to assess their readiness.
Conor McCormack is also available for selection once again, having served his recent suspension for picking up a red card against Galway United.
The manager was in positive mood pointing out that his players had to believe that they could beat Dundalk and that if they did so they would only be 6 points behind the league leaders.
With the Lilyhwites in European action in the coming weeks, City can generate a bit of momentum with a win tonight.
The manager urged a large home support to come out tonight
“It is up to us to provide the ambiance of the game, and the support reciprocates and now we get an energy that the home side needs.
“I don’t think the supporters understand how significant they can be to our progress. That can give you an extra yard.
“If we can get the support that we got against Shamrock Rovers, it helps gives us a chance of winning the game.
“We have to provide it and then the supporters can get behind us to give that positive energy over the pitch.”
Shane Duffy coming back to his roots this evening with a visit to Derry
