The only way is forward for Candystripes and Pats

DERRY CITY and St Patrick’s Athletic resume Europa League action today, but while both clubs go into their second leg second qualifying round games with 1-1 draws under their belts, the advantage ought to be with the Candystripes after they grabbed a precious away goal in the first leg of their game against Skonto Riga of Latvia.

And for manager Stephen Kenny, that means there can be only one strategy going into tonight’s return match at the Brandywell (kick off 7pm).

“There is no dilemma for us in this match as to whether we try to contain or attack,” he says. “The onus is on us to go out and try to win the game – and that is our intention.”

Derry go into the game on the back of a damaging defeat to champions Bohemians in the league but Kenny is hopeful that another big European night at the Brandywell will lift his players.

“Our European victories in the past have been tremendous occasions and while we’ve sustained a few league defeats recently I sincerely hope it won’t have an effect tonight,” he says.

“If we can get through, it will be another special night in Derry City history. It’s another big game for us and, make no mistake about it, they will be pushing us all the way in an attempt to overturn our result out there.

“We had to fight for our lives in Riga to get a result and I think we’ll have to battle even harder if we are to progress to face CSKA Sofia, in the third round. I expect an epic game which will not be for the faint-hearted.”

Arriving in Dublin yesterday, meanwhile, Riga’s English manager Paul Ashworth denied reports that four of his non-Latvian squad had been denied work visas to play in tonight’s game.

For St Patrick’s Athletic, the challenge this afternoon will be to cope with temperatures in excess of 30 degrees while seeking the goal they will need if they are to have any hopes of progressing to the third round.

Declan O’Brien who scored on his debut for Pats in the first leg, only to see his side brought down to earth by a Gilbert Agius equaliser, says that at least Jeff Kenna’s side know exactly what they have to do in Malta.

“If we had a lead we would probably just sit over here and I don’t think that would be great for 90 minutes in the heat,” he says. “We could definitely score over here. I thought we might have nicked a second one in the first leg – they don’t really mark you like Irish teams would, they kind of leave you and you might get a free header.”

But Jordi Cruyff, Valletta sweeper and son of Johann, is determined that his side will finish off the job at home.

“Everyone knows that this is a very important game, and that we have to look at it and confront it in the most professional manner,” he says. “We already have a very good 1-1 away draw behind us so it is up to us now to be professional and finish it off. We knew St Patrick’s Athletic were the favourites so the pressure will be on them.”

Kick off in Valletta is at 4.30pm Irish time.