Why Derry were so sh ite yesterday
From icDerry. It seems the poor players were suffering from culture shock. The dressing rooms weren't as nice as they are used to and the 'other facilities'? As far as I know football is played on a football pitch - and the Pike pitch (while maybe a bit soft due to recent rain and the hoof marks of Kildare at the weekend) is top class.
The poor dears. They are in for some land when they get relegated. And as for travelling - well, at leat next season they'll have one local derby with Harps. And Dykes did his homework. A seven match unbeaten run. Try a 13 match run Gavin.
Hargan Suspended for First Leg Dec 2 2003
Arthur Duffy Reports
HOT ON the heels of last weekend's energy-sapping trip to the Regional Sports Complex in Waterford, Derry City are on their travels again this afternoon when they depart for Limerick and the first leg of this season's promotion-relegation play-off semi-final.
But the Brandywell squad will field without their influential leftsided player, Sean Hargan, who has incurred the wrath of the eircom League Disciplinary Committee and will be suspended for tomorrow afternoon's first leg game. (Kick-off: 2.00 p.m.)
Derry, no doubt, will be brought down to earth when experiencing the Limerick facilities, which are governed by junior side, Pike Rovers F.C. and the absence of floodlights has forced the game to be played during the early afternoon.
However, team boss, Gavin Dykes is well aware of what lies in store having played there with his former club, Kildare County.
"It will come as a culture shock to some of the players," he joked last night. "It's a massive pitch but the dressing rooms and other facilities are very poor," he added.
"I've no doubt they will be well supported, but we'll be travelling there to win the match and that will be our priority."
Concerned that his players will have clocked up in the region of 1,000 miles over the past five days, Dykes said the travelling would take its toll but he is not concerned over the fitness of his playing staff.
"We still have a number of players carrying injuries but the fact that we're playing in the playoffs has lifted the team. I've no doubt whatsoever that U.C.D. would be delighted to be planning a trip to Limerick on Wednesday, therefore, we will have no complaints."
Boosting Derry's hopes of a victory and, possibly, a first leg advantage away from home, is the fact that Dykes had at least recorded a winning run.
"We've taken seven points from a possible nine and, to be honest, we were very unlucky in the 1-1 result against Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell," continued the Derry boss.
"Yes, we're back believing in ourselves and I'm very happy with our recent run of form. We're playing well, working very hard and, thankfully, we've started to get the results we deserved."
Peter Hutton, who had an excellent game when marking Waterford danger man, Neale Fenn during Sunday's 1-0 victory, continues to receive intensive treatment on his ankle injury.
"Pizza has been brilliant. He was one of our most prominent players against Waterford and his commitment to Derry City is unquestioned. But he's still playing through the pain barrier and always is a concern.
"That said, Eamon Doherty continues to carry a knock and the same applies to Gary Beckett, but we're getting the very best out of what we have available," declared Dykes.
And the Derry boss was fully aware of the dangers of tomorrow's opponents who are managed by former Cork City and Limerick defender, Michael Kerley.
"In O'Flynn and McCarthy, Limerick have two decent front men and we'll have to be our guard.
"I know all about them but I've continued to do my homework and Limerick are the form side in the First Division, having gone on a sevenmatch unbeaten run to qualify for the play-offs.
