City seek home comforts

Derry City v Cork City, Brandywell, 3.15pm

After last weekend’s encouraging draw away to Shamrock Rovers, City fans will finally get their first taste of competitive football under the management of Roddy Collins with the visit of Cork City to the Brandywell tomorrow(live on RTÉ2).  The Candystripes did not many fans amongst the neutrals last week with their compact performances and a packed midfield meant that the game will not live long in the memory.

However in front of an expectant home support, will City be able to take all three points against John Caulfield’s Cork side. The Munster men got their own campaign up and running with a point last weekend against St Pats and followed that up with a comprehensive win over provincial rivals Limerick in the EA Sports Cup on Monday.  As with Collins at Derry, new boss John Caulfield has overhauled the set up on Leeside and brought in a number of new signing including ex Candystripes Michael Rafter.

Rafter is ruled out of Sunday’s clash due to injury as is Danny Morrissey.  City fans won’t be sorry to see the back of Morrissey who netted a hat trick in August 2013, during the last clash between the two clubs.  Donegal man John Dunleavey who is Cork’s captain for the year is ruled out due to suspension whilst Anthony Elding is also considered a doubt due to a knock sustained against Limerick.

142 days have passed since the last League of Ireland action at the Brandywell when Derry defeated Limerick 6-0 in the last game of Declan Devine’s time as manager of the club.  There has been a significant overhaul in playing staff and indeed the management team since then but tomorrow will offer most of the City support their first opportunity to see the new squad in competitive action.

Speaking ahead of the game, Roddy Collins had this to say, “We are all really looking forward to our first home game of the season. It’s going to be another big challenge but after seeing the effort that the lads put in last week I’m very encouraged by what we have. It might take a couple of weeks for us to settle as a team, but I feel we will have shown what we are capable of. We have had a great week in training this week and the lads can’t wait to get out and play in front of our own fans in the Brandywell.”

The new manager that he felt that the visitors could pose a bigger challenge than Shamrock Rovers as the onus will be on his side to go and win the game.  He intimated that his players would need to be patient as Cork may look to come away from home and seek to take a draw from the Brandywell.  Barry McNamee remains a doubt for the panel on the basis of the knock he picked up last week but John Paul McGovern may be in contention for a spot on the bench after a full week of training with the side.

City captain Cliff Byrne said, “We got off to a good a start last weekend, any point away from home is a good point.Having said that, to have three points taken away from us so late in the game was a disappointment, but it showed what we are capable of and showed us where we are at. We are all really looking forward to Sunday’s game. It’s the first chance that we get to play in front of our home supporters, and we need to show them what we are about. They have been out with us during pre-season which is never all that easy but now its our time to repay them. I feel that we showed what we are capable of last week but now its time to push on and secure our first three points of the new season.”

City supporters who have yet to purchase tickets for the game can find a list of outlets here.  Supporters are urged to purchase tickets in advance of the fixture in order to prevent congestion around the ticket outlets prior to kickoff.  Those attending the games are also reminded of the GAA NFL game which is taking place at Celtic Park at 2pm, pelase find arrangements for this game listed here

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