Four game weeks in and Derry City are the only team in the league to have zero points collected so far and will hope to gain something when they host an in-form Drogheda United side tonight
Ahead of next week’s screening of a new BBC documentary about the story of City’s entry to the League of Ireland, showcasing the magical journey that the club and its fans enjoyed in the 1980s, it’s essential for the Candystripes to maintain their League of Ireland licence to survive at the top.
This current side are not going to reboot the ‘glory-days’ but on Friday they have an opportunity to get their first point or maybe even three points as they don’t want another relegation battle.
It’s fair to say that the club went slightly off the rails, conceding eight goals so far this season. As recently as last summer Derry City were competing in the Europa League qualifiers, and their downfall does not mean one individual will have a lot to answer for, but the club.
Declan Devine insists he’s not concerned about a relegation battle this season and claims it’s only a matter of time before his Derry City team get off the mark when he spoke to the Derry Journal. A 2-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell was Derry’s fourth straight defeat and leaves the club rooted to the bottom.
City also face discipline issues as against St. Pats they were reduced to 10 men on 32 minutes after defender Danny Lupano received a second yellow card.
Surprise packets Finn Harps just missed out at the top of the League of Ireland table on goal difference, meaning City are now stuck in the shadow of their rivals.
Harps dropped their first points of the season as Drogheda United grabbed a point meaning they know how to perform against the top teams and would be traveling up to Derry as favourites.
