EIRCOM LGE FOCUS (Aertel)

Cork City are grabbing all the headlines at the moment as they continue to slowly but surely move clear of Shelbourne at the top of the Premier Division table.

However, Derry City are lurking just behind the leaders and should be considered as serious title challengers as the season progresses.

Their workmanlike performance against Finn Harps, who are fighting desperately for their Premier Division survival, on Friday night was a further indication of what they can do.

Both Cork and Shels will have their minds on, hopefully, long European campaigns and may face a fixture backlog and loss of form later on.Both suffered from both of those to some extent last season.

Derry have no such distractions and can fully concentrate on their league and cup commitments.

The Candystripes have already beaten Shels twice in Tolka Park this year, once each in the league and FAI Cup, proving they should be taken seriously.

They have a super bunch of players at The Brandywell with quality all over the park; Peter Hutton, Clive Delaney, Killian Brennan, to name just a few.

David Forde proved during the recent league win over Shels that he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the country.

Eddie McCallion also belongs on that list but the big man is out now for up to 10 weeks through injury and will be sorely missed.

Off the field, things couldn't be better.

The financial problems that threatened the very existence of the club are a thing of the past while attendances are steadily improving.

Derry supporters also follow their side to away games in great numbers and bring brilliant colour and atmosphere wherever they go.

The major factor for Derry's recent improvement in fortunes is manager Stephen Kenny.

At Longford and Bohs, Kenny proved what an outstanding manager he is, gaining promotion, winning leagues and enjoying great European nights.

At Derry, he wasn't afraid to get rid of the weak links and bring in players he felt could do the business.

His astute transfer dealings have worked and Derry are in the middle of one of their best seasons in years.

His insistence that players be based in or around the city has also paid dividends.

Derry City have brought so much to the league since they joined in 1985. They dominated things for short periods on several occasions since then but have not had the best of times since the late 1990s.

They have now turned the corner and expect them to be still up there at the business end of the season.