Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Sunday 5.25 Live on RTÉ
Whilst fans and players of all the other clubs will get their seasons underway tomorrow, Derry and Rovers fan will have to wait just a little longer with the first game moved to Sunday for live television coverage.
City have had mixed fortunes on the opening weekend in recent times, with Sligo coming to the Brandywell and leaving with all three points in both 2011 and 2013. In between those City defeated Bohs in 2012, with the Gypsies reduced to ten men in that game. Indeed, looking back over the history book, this is the first time since 2008 that City have started their campaign away from the Brandywell.
And there are fewer tougher places in the League that Tallaght, the home of Shamrock Rovers. The Hoops had a disappointing 2013 by their own standards and Trevor Croly had performed significant surgery to the squad over the close season. A host of big names such as Quigley, Oman, Dennehy and other departed as Croly attempted to shape his own team. The headline capture in the close season was Ireland international Stephen McPhail and he has already signalled his intent with a cracking goal in the Setanta Sports Cup. Croly has also made canny acquisitions such as Conor Kenna, Kieran Marty Waters and former Candystripe Simon Madden.
The Dubliners have already seen their season get up and running in the Leinster Senior Cup and Setanta Sports Cup. City on the other hand have had a rain interrupted pre-season but have rarely been troubled by the opposition faced to date. Coleraine came from two goals down to salvage a draw in the Brandywell last week, which showed that there is still work to do for Roddy Collins and his team.
City of course were the first team to win in Tallaght in the League and will be hoping to repeat that feat come Sunday. With a a new management team and significant changes in personnel, it will be a real test for the new look Candystripes as they face into the 2014 campaign. Roddy Collins has now more than settled in the Brandywell hotseat and he has more than made his market, with a significant overhaul of the squad. Collins has made ten signings over the course of the close season with the latest, Mark Timlin, added during the last week.
New Club Captain, Cliff Byrne
Barry McNamee is the only player with a doubt regarding his fitness, the young midfielder having picked up a niggle during the week which needs to be assessed prior to the game. Rovers will be missing the services of Simon Madden, who carries over a suspension from his time as a Derry City players. One can be sure that many Derry players and fans will be glad to note that he won’t be taking the pitch on Sunday.
The manager is playing his cards close to his chest as yet, but did declare that he knows what his starting eleven is likely to be, with the exception of one position. A nervy time for supporters and players alike, on the cusp of a new season and as the Candystripes look to get their campaign up and running.
Join us over the weekend and indeed over the season, as we build up to the 2014 season and continue our coverage through the campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment