IT’S just two days to the start of the new SSE Airtiricity Premier Division and all eyes will be on Derry City’s trip to newly promoted Waterford this Friday, February 16 (kick off 7.45 pm).
The Candy Stripes will be wearing their new shirts for the opening game at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre which pays tribute to its late ‘Captain Courageous’ Ryan McBride.
His name and number ‘McBride No 5′ have been stitched into the chest of the shirts, a fantastic tribute to a great player who is still sadly missed by his family, his club, players and fans.
No one can ever forget the tragic news of Ryan’s sudden passing at his Brandywell home just hours after captaining his club to a four-nil win over Drogheda.
There is no doubt his untimely death had a hugely emotional and psychological affect on the team for the rest of the 2017 season.
So finishing fourth in the league was a great achievement for the team given the tragic circumstances of losing its fantastic captain.
Now 11 months on, a new season is ready to start and the team are eager to get into league action and push for a higher placed finish.
And manager Kenny Shiels has been busy on his travels over the winter months trying to bring strength and depth to his squad so he can compete for the SSE Airtricity Premier League title.
Those he has brought in include: Dapo Kayode, Armin Aganovic, Gavin Peers, Jamie McDonagh, Rory Hale, Jamie McIntyre, John Cofie, David Hopkirk, and on loan Ronan Hale.
The eye-catching addition was former Manchester United player John Cofie, who once cost £1 million as a teenager.
But life hasn’t started too well for him in the League of Ireland after being sent off in a friendly with Drogheda United.
So Shiels’ record in bringing in new talent has been good. He brought in Darren Cole from Scotland last year and has all the ability to be one of the best defenders in the league this year, as shown in the 0-0 draw with Cork City on the night the Rebels claimed the 2017 title.
Joining Cole in defence is Armin Aganovic who has experience of a season with Galway United, having played in Scandanvia in the last season.
Shiles also snapped up Rory Hale from relegated Galway and his brother Ronan moves on loan from Birmingham City.
Up front, striker David Hopkirk has moved from Dunfermline after eight years in Scotland.
The manager will be looking for another big year of progress for the likes off impressive full-back Conor McDermott and midfielder Aaron McEneff.
But all eyes will be on Rory Hale after he did so well for Galway in their late rally to stay in the top flight last year.
The signings continue with former Shamrock Rovers man Chris Turner also set to join the Brandywell side.
Unfortunately, due to the recent severe weather conditions, the Brandywell stadium is running behind schedule.
Last season the team played all its home games at Maginn Park in Donegal but the club is looking forward to playing its first home game of the season on Friday, March 2 against Dundalk.
As well as experience, Shiels is also trying to blend his team with young and upcoming promising players for the future.
Ben Doherty will replace Dean Jarvis and is ready for the step-up.
Eoin Toal – who his manager believes could be as good as West Brom’s Jonny Evans – was drafted into the squad for a couple of games last season and the former Armagh City man showed why he could be heading for big things.
Gavin Peers will also be in defenceand there is plenty to work with in defensive areas for City, albeit being somewhat light on full-back.
It will take the new signings time to settle into Shiels’ way of playing and it will be interesting to see how the Candy Stripes can adjust after losing the likes of. Barry McNamee, Aaron Barry and Dean.
Shiels will be looking for the same start to last season before the untimely death of Ryan McBride.
His aim is for his side to be Premier Division title challengers and the icing on the cake at the end of the season would be a spot in European football.
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