Derry City manager Ruahidhri Higgins
The Candystripes are many people’s fancies to deny Rovers the four-in-a-row this year.
They kick off the season with an away trip to St Pat’s with a 7.45 pm kick off at Richmond Park.
City have signed well too: Colm Whelan from UCD, goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan from Bohemians, Ben Doherty from Larne and ex-St Pat’s midfielder Adam O’Reilly who signed from Preston North End.
They also completed the loan signing of winger Ollie O’Neill from Fulham on Thursday which is a significant lift on the eve of the new season.
City gained major momentum from their FAI Cup win against Shelbourne. Now they want a proper title challenge.
“We have a squad here we’re delighted with at the minute,” said Higgins.
“It’s a brilliant football club to be leading and hopefully there’s more good days ahead but you can’t look too far ahead of ourselves.
“We have a huge game tonight to kick off our league campaign.”
Higgins is optimistic the Candystripes can bring a first league title back to the Brandywell in 26 years.
“That is the ambition and we’ll do everything in our power to bring more success to the club,” he said.
“I think at this stage there is no shying away from it, we want to mount a serious title challenge.”
St Pat’s brought in six new faces over the winter, but it’s the retention of 15 players from last term that gives boss Tim Clancy hope they can enjoy better consistency.
Clancy had a a significant rebuild to contend with when he took the reins from Dundalk-bound Stephen O’Donnell over a year ago so he’ll have welcomed a more settled pre-season this time.
Tommy Lonergan’s return to Inchicore was widely welcomed after his excellent year at UCD. Clancy has also added Estonian international midfielder Vladislav Kreida, Dutch defender Noah Lewis and Jake Mulraney, back in Ireland after a stint with Orlando FC in the MLS.
The loan arrivals of Jay McGrath from Coventry City and Wolves’ Conor Carty also add quality.
Last season Derry won three of the the four meetings these clubs had; the other game was a draw. So it’s a tough first assignment for the Saints, albeit one Clancy is relishing.
“It’s a great first game for us and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.
“Our first two matches this season will be at home so we’re hoping to make that advantage count and start well in front of our home fans.”
Team news
Derry City: New arrival Ollie O’Neill goes straight into Higgins’ matchday squad.
St Pat’s: Harry Brockbank hurt his calf in the Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Wexford recently and will miss the game, while Adam Murphy is also out with a knock.
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