Derry City v Limerick FC, Brandywell, 7.45pm
The 2013 Airtrcity League season reaches it’s conclusion this evening, as the Candystripes face Stuart Taylor’s team at Brandywell. While the destination of the title may have been settled and Shelbourne consigned to Division 1, there will be plenty of interest from Brandywell as City can still secure fourth spot and the hope of European football.
If City win this evening then they will end the season in fourth position. If Sligo Rovers win the FAI Cup, this will see the European spots drop down to include the fourth placed team in the League and thus City would have European football for the second season in succession. However given City’s pace home form this season, all eyes must be focused on the task ahead. City are on a three match unbeaten run and may feel that the run should in fact by a three game winning streak as they were unlucky to be denied all three points against Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic.
The impressive performance against the new champions last week should stand Derry in good stead ahead of tonight’s game, but the visitors are also in good form and are finishing the season, having won four of their last five games. Whilst City have recovered two victories over the Munster men so far this season, it was a late show in the Brandywell earlier in the season when two late goals from Rory Patterson saw City come from behind to take all three points. In his media comments this week, the manager has referred to the danger posed by tonight’s opponents, “Limerick have given us two very difficult games this season and they are on a good run – we will not be underestimating them. Our last four displays have been of the highest order and I would be very disappointed if we fell at the final hurdle. ”
In terms of the playing staff, there will be no last day return for any of the long term absentees. Indeed Shane McEleney continues to suffer with a chest infection and it is likely that Barry Molloy will continue in the heart of the defence with Ryan McBride. The duo played well last week against St Pats and were only beaten by a wonder goal from Anto Flood. Elsewhere, the youthful midfield of Patrick McEleney, Barry McNamee and David McDaid may continue from last week. However, the likes of Paddy Kavanagh also comes back into the reckoning.
With a number of players out of contract after this game it may be a chance for some to end their City careers on a high, with for other chasing new deals, a sparkling performance this evening will press their claims for a new deal.
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