Candystripes focused on turning up heat on Sligo

With champions and early pacesetters Sligo Rovers not in action until tomorrow, when the Bit O’Red host Cork City at the Showgrounds, there is an onus on second-placed Derry City to make up some ground at Dundalk this evening.

The Candystripes have made a good start to the campaign and a win over Stephen Kenny’s much-improved Lilywhites will, temporarily at least, move them to within two points of Sligo. Dundalk, while currently residing in third on 12 points, have been much stronger away from Oriel Park to date — with a 100% record on the road — but they have failed to pick up a win on their own patch.

Kenny, who had two spells as Derry manager, is expecting a tough test: “Derry City are a really good side. They are in second place and being talked about as challengers to Sligo Rovers, and rightly so. They have really good players and play some good football, so it is all set up for a great game between us.