Derry City

[HarpoJoyce]

Got to continue with our reasonable away form. The opponents continue to try and make news from themselves from nothing (e.g. criticising an offer for a player without publishing the details.)

They even attempt to belittle their FAI Cup opponents.
http://www.derrycityfc.net/season/08/news/displaystory.php?storyid=298
"Derry City were drawn against Dublin side Liffeys Pearse in the FAI Cup 3rd Round Draw last night

In contrast, Liffeys Pearse will participate in their first FAI Senior Cup outing having been formed with the amalgamation of the Liffeys and Pearse Rangers clubs."
If Liffeys Pearse are in the third round then it is not their first outing in the competition.

Plenty of reasons to be optimistic for this match, especially if Kenny plays some of his favourites.

[pineapple stu]

Got to continue with our reasonable away form.

Plenty of reasons to be optimistic for this match, especially if Kenny plays some of his favourites.
Agree with this.

If Sammon plays, then, as in Belfield, we'll be against ten men so will have a chance. :)

[Schumi]

Given our striking prowess of late, it'd be 10 on 10, or worse if we play 2 up front.

[MariborKev]

Any of the usual suspects making the trip?

Anyway lads log onto www.blogtalkradio.com/icandy if you can't make the game and we'll do our best to describe it

[pineapple stu]

I'll be up there anyways. Going to a course in Santry, so don't even need to take a half day. :)

[HarpoJoyce]

We made the BBC, Kenny almost got our recent scoreline right. It's no bother, hopefully he'll get it only almost right on Friday too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/7415444.stm

Derry City site has more quotes.
http://www.derrycityfc.net/season/08/news/displaystory.php?storyid=301


I hope to make it up tomorrow also, I wouldn't mind staying up there tomorrow also.

[pineapple stu]

Two quick second half goals killed off the spirited challenge from a depleted UCD side in the Brandywell on Friday night, although Kevin McHugh's late fourth put an unjust tint on the scoreline. Having matched their hosts for the first half, Derry blitzed the Students in the opening quarter hour of the second to effectively seal the points there and then.

UCD were without twelve players for the trip north, including keeper Matt Gregg, captain Conor Kenna, left backs Ian Bermingham and Killian Gallagher and midfielder Ronan Finn. Indeed, so stuck were the Students for numbers that Finn, who hadn't trained midweek, still made the bench. Derek Doyle lined out as a makeshift full back while Billy Brennan was given a non-League Cup debut in nets.

It was a debut to forget for Brennan as within 90 seconds, he was picking the ball out of the net. Owen Morrison's shot from the edge of the area should have been held, but the keeper instead could only parry straight to the feet of Mark Farren, who couldn't miss from five yards out.

It would have been easy, even at that early stage, for the visitors' heads to drop in anticipation of a rout, but instead, they played some good football as the half became an entertaining, open affair with chances at both ends. Morrison curled a shot off the UCD bar, while Conor Sammon had a trademark weak header go harmlessly into the grateful arms of Brennan. At the other end, UCD were knocking the ball around confidently and mopping up plenty of loose balls, with Shane Fitzgerald and Alan Mahon in particular getting plenty of space down the right flank. Pat McWalter just couldn't get on the end of an excellent Mahon cross on 25 before UCD deservedly equalised a minute later. The ball came out to the left wing, was fed infield to Timmy Purcell, who shimmied past one defender before unleashing a drive from just outside the box which flew past Ger Doherty into the bottom corner.

The goal gave UCD extra confidence and they should have been ahead shortly after. From another excellent Mahon cross, Brian King appeared to be manhandled to the ground before Paul Byrne's effort at the far post was weak and straight at Doherty. Derry went straight up the pitch and would have retaken the lead only for a superb goal-line clearance from Derek Doyle.

The Students were having particular joy from set pieces, with Greg Bolger`s deliveries creating chances. From one corner, a goal mouth scramble ensued, but the Candystripes managed to clear out for another corner. This one saw a Byrne header cleared off the line before Derry finally managed to clear their lines from the third corner.

At half time, 1-1 was a fair reflection of the game; however, Derry came out revitalised for the second half. Within 30 seconds, they gave a warning as to their intentions as Niall McGinn fired a shot narrowly over from the edge of the box. However, the same player did have the ball in the net four minutes later with a similarly spectacular strike, this time from the other side of the box and from a more acute angle.

The game was over as a contest seven minutes later when Derry were awarded a free 22 yards out; Owen Morrison stepped up and curled home a replica of Derry's free in the Bowl on the opening day of the season.

UCD's first real attack of the half came two minutes later - another Mahon cross was headed weakly wide by Byrne; the striker is having his worst goalless spell in a UCD jersey, which must surely be a concern for Pete Mahon.

Chances were few and far between for the remaining half hour; Billy Brennan made one good save, although his weakness under the high ball was all too evident, with Derry putting plenty of crosses into the six yard box to test him. In the last action of the match, Kevin McHugh got the ball down in the area, went past Alan McNally with ease and powered into the top corner from 12 yards out to make it 4-1.

Bray and Harps visit the UCD Bowl next week in two crunch matches; the Students expect to be back to full strength for those games, and indeed the team selection in Derry was partly with next week's games in mind. With Harps winning in Cobh, UCD have dropped into tenth place in the table and will need at leat four points next week to get their season back on track.

UCD - Brennan; Mahon, D Doyle, McNally, McMillan; King, Fitzgerald (Reilly 82), Bolger (Finn 73), McWalter (O'Callaghan 89); Byrne, Purcell. Subs not used - Harding, T Doyle

Att - c 2600

[mrtndvn]

Do i detect some bitterness from yourselves towards Derry?

[pineapple stu]

No.

:confused:

[mrtndvn]

The opponents continue to try and make news from themselves from nothing

especially if Kenny plays some of his favourites.

Sorry I must of picked you guys up wrong

[pineapple stu]

Very easy to pick up Harpo's posts wrong. ;)

[mrtndvn]

Is that your own match report stu?

[pineapple stu]

It is. Goes on the official site too.

[U-C-D]

Billy Brennan made one good save, although his weakness under the high ball was all too evident, with Derry putting plenty of crosses into the six yard box to test him

i think thats slightly unjust! ok he made an error for the first goal but was not at fault again from there on out. he wasnt at fault nor did he make any other mistakes, infact he took one very good cross in the first half. plus its not easy with delaney playing!!!

moving on, i thought derry were excellent (besides sammo, i noted some of their fans werent impressed with his heading ability, shock horror) especially across midfield. mcginn had an outstanding game and took his goal brilliantly. infact bar farrens goal, they were all very good goals in a lively game!

[pineapple stu]

i think thats slightly unjust!
He was very static on his line; a fair few crosses came in which Gregg would have taken but which Billy left, which meant it was harder to relieve the pressure.

[HarpoJoyce]

I'm pleased we had a reduced squad in comparision to the final result. But the disadvantages of a small squad is something we all should be aware. I'm afraid we still need to produce the results even with some important first teamers out of the squad.

It was interesting we appeared to play two up-front, (Full amount of strikers?), and get a goal. Scoring our way out of trouble should still be an option. And there are enough attack minded players in the team to keep the support to the forwards up.

[pineapple stu]

But the disadvantages of a small squad is something we all should be aware.
Very much so.


It was interesting we appeared to play two up-front, (Full amount of strikers?)
No alternative.

[Titan]

i think thats slightly unjust! ok he made an error for the first goal but was not at fault again from there on out. he wasnt at fault nor did he make any other mistakes, infact he took one very good cross in the first half. plus its not easy with delaney playing!!!

moving on, i thought derry were excellent (besides sammo, i noted some of their fans werent impressed with his heading ability, shock horror) especially across midfield. mcginn had an outstanding game and took his goal brilliantly. infact bar farrens goal, they were all very good goals in a lively game!


I dont think anyones blaming Billy. The match report is accurate. Billy didnt come off his line at all. I wonder was he instructed to stay put for crosses? If so it was a poor instruction. I dont go in for this 'Matt would have got it' nonsense. If my Aunty had etc:D