Drogs aim to complete Derry double

Drogs aim to complete Derry double

Drogheda United face Derry City at O2 Park tonight (kick-of: 8.00pm) hoping to complete an early season double over the northerners, having inflicted a rare Brandywell defeat on the Candystripes earlier in the season.

Derry have been in tremendous form in front of their own fans so far this season, winning all four games at the Brandywell since that defeat to Drogheda back in April.

However, their away form has left plenty to be desired; Kevin Mahon’s side have lost three of their four on the road, the only saving grace being a 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park in May.

Either side of that draw, they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic before self-destructing to a 5-1 reverse against Shamrock Rovers.

They will surely be relieved that they must not visit Richmond Park on this journey south, but their form on their league visits to Boyneside last season, when they lost twice to Harry McCue’s men, will hardly fill them with confidence this evening.

Nevertheless, they are gunning for a fourth successive win in all competitions tonight. Eamon Doherty and Tommy McCallion are again ruled out, although Mahon may have veteran front man Liam Coyle available for selection.

While Derry have been in good form of late, Drogheda have suffered successive reverses at the hands of Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United.

Their last outing in front of their home fans, the defeat to Rovers, was particularly galling as they had led for almost 80 minutes before losing out to two late goals from the Hoops.

Defenders Stephen Gray and Paudie Gollogley are all out, so McCue will hope that veteran centre half Pat Scully will be fit to take his place alongside skipper Aidan Lynch.

Former New Zealand international Che Bunce is also doubtful, while Mark Dempsey is still on the sidelines.


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