City start new season as top League of Ireland challengers

DERRY City are back on the road this evening as they start another League of Ireland campaign with Ruaidhri Higgins’ side taking on Dundalk at Oriel Park (kick off 7.45 pm).

City appear to be many fans and pundits’ choice as the team most likely to challenge Rovers for top spot this season.

And while Ruaidhrí Higgins is considered a rookie manager, his spell in charge of the team for the majority of last season should prove crucial to getting a fast start in this campaign.

The hometown buzz is back at the Brandywell and with locals like Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy returning to the club, the potential is certainly there to challenge this year.

The Candystripes have also plenty of young potential coming through and it will be interesting to keep an eye on the progress of Ireland Under-21 international Brandon Kavanagh who excelled in the First Division last season with Bray Wanderers.

Matty Smith should prove a fine addition to the City midfield, while Cameron Dummigan will add more quality and experience and add to that Dundalk element of real experience that will make Derry a tough team to beat this season, particularly at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium.

The City boss cut his teeth in his new role at the Brandywell in the second half of 2021 and says he is looking forward to the challenge of bringing the club back to the top table of Irish football over the next few years.

“It’s been all go since the end of last season but I believe we’re in a good place heading into the new campaign” he said.

“The boys have worked hard since pre-season started in early January and I think they just want to get back playing football now.”

“It’s obviously a very difficult start for us and Dundalk will be looking to impress in front of a big crowd.”

“It should be a fantastic atmosphere as I know we’re taking a lot of support with us as well.”

The Derry boss admitted he has a couple of injuries to contend with as the curtain rises this weekend.

“Ronan Boyce isn’t quite ready yet and he won’t feature while Evan McLaughlin won’t play either having picked up a knock in pre-season. Matty Smith has a slight strain as well but we’ll see what he’s like on Friday morning.”

All ‘away’ tickets for the game were snapped up very quickly so the visitors will get plenty of encouragement as they start out on this new campaign.

Both Drive105 and Radio Foyle will be providing live commentary coverage of this evening’s game.

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