Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins
The Leesiders lost at home to Bohemians as their own campaign got under way but Ruaidhri Higgins is expecting a stiff test from Colin Healy’s side this weekend.
Derry will be kicking themselves at the failure to see it out in Richmond Park last Friday night and ended up with 1-1 draw following a later equaliser by St Pat’s.
Big movers again in the off-season, manager Ruaidhri Higgins started two members of the new contingent in Inchicore – ex-Pat’s man Adam O’Reilly getting a “predictable” reaction from the home fans, while Irish U21 international Ollie O’Neill, scorer of the winner against Sweden in Tallaght last year, played for the first hour before being replaced by Patrick McEleny.
It was Jordan McEneff who scored Derry’s first goal of the 2023 campaign, deceiving David Odumosu with a lovely strike.
Renowned for having a fearsome home record, Derry did lose three times in the league at the Brandywell last season, Dundalk taking six points and Duffer’s boys winning a famous 2-1 victory last April.
Said City manager Ruaidhri Higgins: “The pressure will probably be off Cork a bit and I have no doubt they’ll be very well set up and difficult to play against.
“We’ll be approaching the game the way we always do- trying to win it- and the players have prepared well for this all week.”
The City boss admitted that he’d have to shuffle his deck as injuries and suspension take their toll in the opening few matches.
“Sadou Diallo will serve the final game of his ban while Cameron Dummigan remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.”
“Michael Duffy picked up a strain in the warm-up last Friday and Cameron McJannet came off during that game as well, and neither of them will feature this Friday.”
“We have a really good squad this season however and thankfully we have plenty of quality to deal with those issues.”
“There are a lot of versatile players in our dressing room and I’m more than happy with our options.”
“We’re also boosted by the fact that Patrick McEleney came off the bench at Richmond Park and he is raring to go again.”
“It’s all about trying to get that first win on the board and sending our supporters home happy” he added.
For Colin Healy and Cork, last week was a bracing reminder of the step-up in quality from the First Division. Turner’s Cross was heaving for their first game back in the Premier Division since 2020.
Against Bohs, Cork almost snatched a draw in a harum-scarum finale, though it would have been scarcely deserved. Healy was adamant that his side hadn’t showcased the best of themselves on their first night back in the Premier Division for three years.
“Last Friday was unlike us,” Healy said. “We rushed a lot of passes, and Bohs had a lot of the possession, particularly in the first half. That’s something we’ll have to improve on.
“We were disappointed with the first half, but we changed the system in the second half and we were unlucky not to get the draw in the end. We need to forget about that now and move on, as we have a massive game to look forward to on Friday, against Derry City.
“We did okay against Derry last year in the Cup. They’re a serious team. They’ve got quality all over the pitch, and a very strong squad.
“It’s a very big pitch up there, so it’s going to be a very tough game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.
“We worked very hard to get back into this division, so now that we’re here, we need to step up.”
Teams news:
Derry City: Sadou Diallo is suspended. Michael Duffy and Cameron McJannet are out after picking up knocks in last week’s draw, while Cameron Dummigan continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Cork City: Cian Murphy remains side-lined, while Matt Healy is doubtful.
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