Four points from seven matches has taken them largely out of the title race, unless they can be ultra consistent for the remaining months of the season.
Wins over UCD and Bohemians were not faultless, but certainly showed mettle and the quality in the Candystripes squad.
Joe Thomson’s clever finish started proceedings in the game in Dalymount Park. Patrick McEleney has been able to come through the two matches and new signing Ryan Graydon has also joined from Longford Town.
Injuries have been a big factor in Derry’s struggles. Ronan Boyce, Cameron Dummigan, Michael Duffy and Ciaron Harkin have been huge losses over the course of the season.
With the ship steadied in the league, thoughts can now turn to Europa Conference action.
Said manager Ruaidhri Higgins: “Most of my favourite memories as a player here revolved around European nights and how the rocking stadium could really lift the team.”
“I hope it’s the same again on Thursday because while we are underdogs over the two legs, we believe it’s a winnable tie.”
“We went to see them play last weekend and although they lost that game, they looked a good side.”
“They have a few players who have been at some big clubs but while we’re aware of their threat, I believe there are areas of the pitch where we can hurt them too.”
The City manager refused to be drawn on speculation that one or two of his previously injured players may be available for either of these two legs.
“Everyone is aware of our unfortunate run of injuries and while we hope to have one or two getting close to a return, these ties might be coming just a fraction too soon – but we’ll see.”
Riga FC have had a mixed history in Europe in recent seasons. They’re known on these shores for a penalty shootout defeat to Dundalk in 2019 in the Champions League, while they had a 1-0 loss to Celtic the following year.
Last season they were eliminated from the Champions League by the odd goal by Malmo, dropping into the Conference League where they knocked out Hibernians of Malta in a tie which hit the headlines.
The Maltese side, who played Shamrock Rovers earlier this week, received multiple suspensions and a heavy fine from UEFA for their behaviour towards Irish referee Rob Hennessy.
Riga went on to progress 4-2 on aggregate, and were expected to advance to the group stage, before being dumped out by Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar.
One familiar face is Latvian international Raivis Jurkovskis who was part of the Dundalk squad last year.
Riga have used their financial clout to recruit players from Brazil, Ghana, Belarus, Ukraine, Netherlands and Greece.
Their season is run on the summer calendar so they are at the same stage as the League of Ireland
Currently in third place, nine points off the top, Antonijs Černomordijs and Vladimirs Kamešs also joined Jurkovskis in being part of their country’s squad for the Nations League.
Černomordijs captained the side against Andorra while they also had a Bulgarian international in Georgi Minchev.
Thorsten Fink was in charge of Riga up until last May before departing, with 36-year-old coach Sandro Perkovic took over.
He was joined during a seven-match winning run which was brought to an end by the leaders Valmiera.
It’s going to be tough for Higgins’ men as they aim to progress through the first round having lost their opener on the last three occasions.
MFK Ruzomberok of Slovakia or FK Kauno Zalagiris of Lithuania await the winners of the tie.
The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium will be sold out and nearly entire made up of home fans for the first European tie in the venue in four years.
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